Saratoga Landscape Contractor: Design and Construction
- Since 1987
- Yelp 4.6 (46 reviews)
- Google 5.0 (8 reviews)
- Fully insured
In brief
Landscape Associates of CA serves Saratoga homes with hillside retaining walls, paver patios and driveways, turf and sod, irrigation, drainage, planting, lighting and outdoor kitchens. Founded in 1987, our fully insured company offers Saratoga homeowners a free on-site estimate. Published project range: $15,000 to $150,000+; hillside walls: $60 to $120 per square face foot.
Updated October 2026
Landscape contractor in Saratoga, CA: Landscape Associates of CA
Founded by David Muhoberac in 1987, Landscape Associates of CA is fully insured for residential and commercial work. We serve Saratoga, San Jose, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Monte Sereno, Monterey and Carmel.
We have 4.6 stars on Yelp from 46 reviews and 5.0 stars on Google from 8 reviews. Pricing is project-based and itemized. We reply to Saratoga project inquiries within 24 hours and offer a free on-site estimate.
Landscape design in Saratoga, CA starts at the free on-site estimate: David lays out the terraces, patio and planting with you on the lot, or builds from your architect's or landscape designer's plans, and the itemized quote prices each part of that layout.
Retaining walls on Saratoga hillside lots
On Saratoga slopes, the wall's material and drainage must suit what it holds back: a planting bed, a driveway or a pad. The table below compares wall types; pricing depends on your lot's layout and access.
| Wall type | Where it fits on a Saratoga lot | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete block | Straight boundaries beside a pad or planting bed | Lower to mid |
| Segmental block | Curved beds and changes in slope | Mid |
| Natural stone or boulder | Planted slopes with room for stone | Higher |
| Poured concrete | Structural layouts shaped to the site | Mid to higher |
| Terraced walls | A slope divided into planted levels | Higher, depending on layout |
City of Saratoga Code 15-29.010(l) limits retaining walls to 7 ft, or 3 ft in a front or exterior-side setback. See the City's current wall-height guidance (checked October 2026). In geologic-hazard areas, Saratoga requires geotechnical clearance for new structures, additions and basements; the City's page does not name retaining walls. Source: City's geotechnical-clearance scope (checked October 2026).
Our published Saratoga hillside wall range is $60 to $120 per square face foot. A 4 ft x 50 ft wall = 200 square face feet; 200 x $60 to $120 = $12,000 to $24,000. The estimate depends on access, footing, engineering and drainage. See wall construction for Saratoga slopes.
Behind a Saratoga wall, drain rock, filter fabric and a perforated pipe need a planned outlet. Planning for drainage behind hillside walls comes before choosing the finish. Our drainage work carries a 2-year warranty.
Where we work in Saratoga
Around the Village and on flat lots east of Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, planning starts with the routes between doors, patios and planted beds. Even a yard that looks level needs a drainage plan.
West of Highway 9, including Pierce Road and Congress Springs Road, planning a retaining wall means accounting for access along steep driveways and cut slopes. Planning new paving starts with identifying any wall that supports a pad.
For lots along Saratoga Creek and Wildcat Creek, the City's geotechnical-clearance rules for liquefaction areas can apply to new structures, so the layout starts by checking them.
In the Golden Triangle and Brookview tracts near Cox Avenue, flat clay lots make drainage a starting point. The plan for a new lawn or patio also needs to account for where water leaves the yard.
On larger lots off Big Basin Way and Bohlman Road, paths, planting and lighting connect areas spread across more ground. Deciding which areas you will use helps focus the budget across the property.
For properties in nearby cities, we also have Los Gatos hillside guidance, Monte Sereno landscape planning, Los Altos yard improvements and San Jose landscaping information.
Landscape installation in Saratoga, CA: patios, kitchens, lighting
For Saratoga patio and driveway paving, our San Jose patio guide provides a reference price of about $15 to $30 per sq ft installed; pricing for your Saratoga site requires an estimate. Our paver warranty covers materials and workmanship for a lifetime.
The Saratoga outdoor kitchen range runs from about $15,000 to $50,000+ with appliances. We also pour concrete driveways, walkways and pool decks in Saratoga; see our concrete work. We have a licensed plumber do the gas and a licensed electrician do the electrical (110 and 220).
For larger Saratoga properties, our published landscape lighting range is $3,000 to $10,000. Lighting has a 2-year warranty. The Saratoga patio and outdoor living budget guide compares costs for patios, outdoor kitchens and lighting.
Trees, fences and permits in Saratoga
Protected trees: size thresholds, pruning and removal permits
Saratoga protects any tree at 10 in diameter and ten listed native species at 6 in, measured at 4.5 ft. Removal, pruning more than 25% of the canopy, or pruning outside ISA guidelines requires a permit. Under City requirements, a business that structurally prunes or removes protected trees needs a Saratoga business licence and an ISA Certified Arborist on staff in a supervisory role. We plant trees; protected-tree removal is work for a business that meets the City's requirements. See Saratoga's protected-tree rules (checked October 2026).
For new planting on Saratoga lots, plants carry a warranty of up to 1 year. Planning for replacement plants starts with accounting for existing protected trees in the layout.
Fence heights depend on the setback and sight lines
Saratoga limits front-setback fences to 3 ft; elsewhere, solid fences may reach 6 ft with up to 2 ft of lattice at least 25% open. Solid fences over 6 ft require a building permit. The limit is 3 ft within 50 ft of an intersection or 12 ft of a driveway. See the City's fence and sight-line handout (checked October 2026).
Retaining wall height limits and permits in Saratoga
Saratoga's 7 ft maximum and 3 ft front/exterior-side setback limit are zoning heights. No City page verifies a wall building-permit height threshold: confirm with the City before you plan a wall. Source: Saratoga Planning wall guidance (checked October 2026).
Water rules and rebates for Saratoga yards
For Saratoga properties using Valley Water-supplied potable water, Ordinance 23-02 prohibits overhead irrigation from 9 AM to 6 PM, more than incidental runoff, and watering during or within 48 hours after 0.25 in of rain. Read Valley Water's conservation ordinance (checked October 2026).
Valley Water offers $2 per sq ft for qualifying lawn conversion, with a combined lifetime residential cap of $3,000 across rebate types, subject to available funding through June 30, 2027, or until funds run out. Qualifying means at least 75 sq ft of lawn converted, 50% coverage by qualifying plants and the lawn still in place at the pre-inspection. Apply and receive the Notice to Proceed before work or equipment purchases. Artificial turf is not rebated. See Valley Water lawn-conversion eligibility (checked October 2026).
Compare Saratoga sod and artificial turf options with low-water planting ideas for Saratoga yards. Artificial turf carries a 15-year warranty; irrigation for Saratoga lawns and beds carries a 2-year warranty.
Saratoga landscaping costs and renovation timelines
Our published Saratoga project range is $15,000 to $150,000+. Walls, engineering, steep-driveway access and material choices change the scope. The Saratoga whole-yard cost breakdown and San Jose guide figures for comparison provide context for an itemized estimate.
Our published full-renovation range, from our San Jose guide, is 2 to 6 weeks. Walls, engineering and steep access can add time to combined landscape construction in Saratoga.
How a Saratoga project runs
Walk the Saratoga lot together
The free on-site estimate is a chance to discuss slopes, drainage, access and what you want to build on your Saratoga property.
Review the work and itemized price
The itemized quote covers the proposed work, which may include walls, paving and planting.
Establish which City approvals apply
Ask us about permits before planning the wall, and confirm any geotechnical clearance with Saratoga. The City clearance page (checked October 2026) covers new structures, additions and basements in geologic-hazard areas; it does not name walls.
Build the agreed landscape
Construction follows the agreed scope, with wall and drainage work coordinated with any paving, irrigation and planting included in the project.
Review the completed landscaping with the crew
The final walkthrough with the crew is a chance to review your paving, planted areas and irrigation and ask questions about the completed work.
The crew behind the work
David Muhoberac and the crew build landscapes in Saratoga. Landscape Associates of CA was founded in 1987 and is fully insured. These photos show a seat wall and a garden path.
To discuss your Saratoga yard, call or text (408) 207-5545 for a free on-site estimate. We reply within 24 hours to calls, texts and estimate requests.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Reviews from Yelp and Google, with the reviewer's city and date
David and Obed were great from start to finish. They gave us solid advice on design choices and made sure our vision drove the project. They took a backyard full of dirt and turned it into our family's dream outdoor space. Highly recommend!
San Francisco, CA
David's team did a beautiful job transforming my yard into a gorgeous patio. They worked closely with me to bring my design to life and went the extra mile to make sure everything was right. Honest work, no hidden costs, no surprises.
Cupertino, CA
Big job: stump removal, full irrigation replacement, new sod, paver driveway, retaining walls, and lighting. It turned out more beautiful than we imagined. We liked the results so much we had them redo the front yard a few months later.
San Jose, CA
I cannot recommend this company enough. David turned my backyard, basically a giant hill of dirt and weeds, into a gorgeous oasis of fruit trees, plants, flowers, and retaining walls. Working with him was a real pleasure and the pricing was very fair.
San Francisco, CA
This was our second time using Landscape Associates, at a different property. David, Obed, and the crew added new paver stones, a planter, and expanded our irrigation. They even took care of drainage issues the original home builders had left behind.
San Jose, CA
Landscape Associates did a full remodel of my front and back yards. David understood exactly what I had in mind, delivered the yard I hoped for, and somehow made it even better. He kept in touch through every step and his crew was respectful of my property.
San Jose, CA
If I could give more stars I would. Workers showed up every single day at 8:30am sharp. David was always easy to reach and when I had changes mid-project, they accommodated every one without complaint. The customer service really set them apart.
Milpitas, CA
Great communication throughout and they walked us through every step. The paver patio and driveway are flawlessly integrated. We would absolutely hire them again. In fact I was already texting David about redoing the entire front yard.
San Jose, CA
We are very happy with the results. David installed a new front lawn and side yard plantings and the whole project wrapped up in a week. We were impressed that they renewed our entire irrigation system as part of the job. Would recommend to anyone in the area.
San Jose, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Call (408) 207-5545What budget should I allow for landscaping in Saratoga?
Saratoga projects range from $15,000 to $150,000+. Retaining walls, engineering, steep-driveway access and material choices affect the estimate. Landscape Associates of CA prices projects individually and itemizes the work, starting with a free on-site estimate.
How do wall height and length affect a Saratoga retaining wall estimate?
Our published hillside retaining-wall range for Saratoga is $60 to $120 per square face foot. For example, height 4 ft x length 50 ft = 200 square face feet. Multiplying 200 x $60 and 200 x $120 gives $12,000 to $24,000. Access, drainage, footing and engineering affect the project price.
How tall can a retaining wall be on a Saratoga property?
Under City of Saratoga Code 15-29.010(l), no retaining wall may exceed 7 ft, and a wall in a front or exterior-side setback may not exceed 3 ft. These zoning limits do not establish when a building permit is required. Consult the City's Planning FAQ for retaining walls (checked October 2026).
Does my Saratoga lot need City clearance for ground hazards?
Hillside and creek-side lots in Saratoga can need geotechnical clearance. The City identifies landslide and liquefaction hazards and requires clearance for new structures, additions and basements in geologic-hazard areas. Its page does not specifically include retaining walls. Ask the City how your proposal fits the geotechnical-clearance requirements (checked October 2026).
Who is the best landscape contractor in Saratoga, CA?
A useful quote clearly lists and prices the work your Saratoga property needs. Landscape Associates of CA was founded in 1987 by David Muhoberac, is fully insured, and serves residential and commercial properties. Published ratings are 4.6 on Yelp from 46 reviews and 5.0 on Google from 8 reviews. An on-site estimate is free.
Will you remove protected trees from my Saratoga yard?
No. Our Saratoga tree work is planting; protected-tree removal is work for a business that meets the City's requirements. The City requires a permit for removing a protected tree, including a dead or fallen one. The City requires a business doing protected-tree removal to have a Saratoga business licence and an ISA Certified Arborist on staff in a supervisory role. Read the City tree-removal requirements (checked October 2026).
Which fence-height rules should I check in Saratoga?
Saratoga allows 3 ft in the front setback; elsewhere, a solid fence up to 6 ft plus up to 2 ft of lattice at least 25% open. A solid fence over 6 ft needs a building permit. Within 50 ft of an intersection or 12 ft of a driveway, the limit is 3 ft. Source: Saratoga fence handout (checked October 2026).
When should I apply for a Saratoga lawn-conversion rebate?
Qualifying Saratoga lawn conversions can receive Valley Water's $2 per sq ft rebate, subject to eligibility and the combined $3,000 lifetime residential cap across rebate types, subject to available funding through June 30, 2027, or until funds run out. Obtain the Notice to Proceed before starting work or buying equipment. Artificial turf receives no rebate. Check the Valley Water application rules (checked October 2026).
What can delay a Saratoga yard renovation?
Our published full-renovation range, from our San Jose guide, is 2 to 6 weeks. On a Saratoga hillside, walls, engineering, steep access and any City approvals can stretch that, so timing for your own wall, paving, drainage and planting scope is part of the estimate conversation.
Do you take on commercial landscape work in Saratoga?
Yes, Landscape Associates of CA serves commercial properties as well as homes in Saratoga. We are fully insured and use project-based, itemized pricing. The free on-site estimate covers the site's paving, drainage, irrigation and planting needs so the quote reflects the work you want.
Get a Free Quote
Call us, send the estimate form, or email us. We reply within 24 hours to book a free site visit. Call or text (408) 207-5545.
- (408) 207-5545
- david@landscapeassociatesca.com
- Mailing address: 125 Surf Way #443, Monterey, CA 93940
- Mon - Fri: 8:00-5:00 · Closed on weekends