Landscape Design from San Jose to Carmel
- Since 1987
- Yelp 4.6 (46 reviews)
- 5 on Google
- Fully insured
In brief
Landscape Associates of CA designs and builds residential and commercial landscapes from San Jose to Carmel. David Muhoberac, who founded the company in 1987, plans the yard layout with you during a free on-site estimate. We can also build from your architect's or designer's plans. Every quote is itemized, and we are fully insured.
Updated October 2026
One company designs and builds your yard
David Muhoberac founded Landscape Associates of CA in 1987. We design and build landscapes for homes and commercial properties: David lays out the yard with you, and the project quote itemizes the proposed work. Once the work is finished, the same company can maintain the landscape.
How our landscape design process works
Step 1: Free on-site estimate and yard layout
We walk the property with you and lay out the yard together: where the patio goes, what stays and which areas are planted. The design takes into account access to the yard and the existing ground conditions.
Step 2: An itemized quote for building your landscape
We prepare an itemized quote based on the layout, so you can see the cost of each part of the work before anything starts, from grading and drainage to paving, walls, irrigation, planting and lighting. Working out the layout is part of the free on-site estimate.
We also build from your architect's or designer's plans
Your own sketch, an architect's plan or a landscape designer's drawings can be the starting point for discussing the project. We are a company that designs and builds landscapes rather than a landscape architecture firm.
What a landscape design can include
- Retaining walls and grading for sloped yards
- Paver patios, walkways and driveways, or concrete
- Drainage and irrigation, considered alongside paving and planting in the layout
- Planting and trees, including drought-tolerant beds
- Artificial turf or sod
- Landscape lighting and outdoor kitchens
Our designs use brands such as Belgard, Techo-Bloc, Calstone and Basalite for pavers and walls. Irrigation brands include Rain Bird and Hunter, with Rachio or Hunter Hydrawise smart controllers. Lighting options include Volt, FX Luminaire and Kichler, and artificial turf options include SYNLawn and Purchase Green.
Published San Jose cost ranges for the work in a design
Our published San Jose figures are $25,000 to $75,000+ for a full backyard renovation with pavers, walls, turf and lighting (see the San Jose cost guide), and $5,000 to $50,000 for most landscaping projects. Our published cost ranges for individual parts of a design are about $15 to $30 per sq ft installed for paver patios, $3,000 to $10,000 for irrigation, $2,000 to $6,000 for lighting and about $2,000 to $5,000 for planting.
These are published ranges, not a quote for your yard. For hillside lots, see the Saratoga cost guide, and for installation costs and timelines, our landscape construction page. Your itemized quote shows the costs for the layout you choose.
Permits, lawn rebates and turf rules that shape a landscape design
On single-family and duplex lots in San Jose, retaining walls higher than 2 ft above existing grade require building and Planning permits; a wall supporting a surcharge or measuring 4 ft or more from footing bottom to wall top also requires a Public Works Grading Permit. See the City of San Jose wall rules (checked October 2026).
Valley Water's base lawn-conversion rebate is $2 per sq ft, with a combined lifetime cap of $3,000 per residential site across all rebate types; retailer-specific rates and caps differ. The lawn conversion must cover at least 75 sq ft and have 50% coverage by qualifying plants. Leave the lawn in place for the pre-inspection. Artificial turf is excluded; apply and receive the Notice to Proceed before any work or equipment purchase. Funding lasts until June 30, 2027, or until funds run out. See Valley Water landscape rebates (checked October 2026).
The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea prohibits future installation, repair or replacement of artificial turf but does not require existing turf to be removed. See the City artificial-turf policy (checked October 2026). Carmel Valley and Pebble Beach are in unincorporated Monterey County, and our Carmel landscape page explains the difference.
Where we design and build landscapes, from San Jose to Carmel
We design and build landscapes in San Jose, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Monte Sereno, Monterey and Carmel, including Los Altos Hills, Carmel Valley and Pebble Beach.
To start a design, call or text (408) 207-5545. The on-site estimate is free, and we reply within 24 hours.
Before and After
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
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
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
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
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Call (408) 207-5545Is the landscape design part of the free estimate?
Yes. David plans the yard layout with you during the free on-site estimate. We then prepare an itemized quote based on that layout, so you can see the cost of each part of the work before deciding.
Can you build from my architect's or designer's plans?
Yes. We can start with your own sketch, an architect's plan or a landscape designer's drawings. The itemized quote shows the costs for the work in those plans. If you do not have a plan yet, we work out the yard layout together during the free on-site estimate.
Are you landscape architects?
No. Landscape Associates of CA is a design and build landscape company. We lay out yards with homeowners and build them, and we also build from plans drawn by landscape architects and designers.
How much does a backyard design and build cost in San Jose?
Our published San Jose figures are $25,000 to $75,000+ for a full backyard renovation with pavers, walls, turf and lighting, and $5,000 to $50,000 for most landscaping projects. The free on-site estimate gives you an itemized quote for your own layout.
How long does landscape construction take?
Our published timeline for a full San Jose backyard renovation is 2 to 6 weeks, and most paver patios there take 3 to 7 days. Approvals, access and weather can change the schedule, so these are estimates rather than promised finish dates.
What warranties come with a new landscape?
Pavers have a lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship. The stated warranties are 15 years for artificial turf, 2 years each for irrigation, lighting and drainage, and up to 1 year for plants.
Do you design commercial landscapes?
Yes. We design and build landscapes for commercial properties as well as homes, and we offer ongoing maintenance for both.
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
- Text (408) 207-5545
- david@landscapeassociatesca.com
- Mailing address: 125 Surf Way #443, Monterey, CA 93940
- Mon - Fri: 8:00-5:00 · Closed on weekends