Few landscape contractors earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award, which means they’ve been independently rated Highest in Quality. Even fewer can also claim more than 30 years of industry experience, but that’s exactly the case for Hansen Landscape Contractor. The skills needed to be a top-quality landscape designer and installer are diverse, and it takes decades to master them all, from drainage and irrigation systems to soil preparation, plants and water features. “We’ve been around long enough that we’ve surpassed the learning curve that most landscaping companies experience,” explains owner Steve Hansen. “Our familiarity with the industry gives us a distinct advantage.”

Hansen Landscape Contractor has been designing and installing landscapes for Bay Area homes and businesses since 1978. The family-owned and operated company’s work includes grading and drainage, sprinkler and irrigation systems, lighting, concrete work (including stamped concrete), ponds and waterfalls, decks and patio covers, soil preparation, planting, gardening and follow-up care. “We also do full-scale renovation projects where we come in, tear everything out and remake the landscape,” adds Mr. Hansen.

Unlike landscape contractors that rely solely on positive word-of-mouth to prove their landscaping capabilities, Hansen Landscape Contractor showcases much of its work at a half-acre outdoor showyard in Castro Valley, where customers can view different types of patios and decks, walkways, water features, arbors, barbeque areas, and timber and concrete materials. “It’s one-of-a-kind in the Bay Area,” says Mr. Hansen. “I don’t believe any other company has such a facility. Our customers can see our design style firsthand and get a sense for who we truly are.”

To further differentiate itself from its competition, Hansen Landscape Contractor maintains a staff comprised of landscaping professionals with specific industry expertise–a comprehensive approach that allows the company to specialize in different aspects of its clients’ projects. “We’re small enough to provide personalized service, but we’re also large enough to employ technicians who specialize in design, hardscaping, softscaping, water features and more,” says Mr. Hansen. “Because of our wide ranging expertise, we’re able to deliver on our promises and stand behind all our work.”

When taking on a landscaping project, it’s essential to synchronize design and installation. Landscaping can be divided into three broad categories: design, installation and maintenance. If your project requires all three, it’s best to choose a company that can handle everything under one roof instead of a solo designer that has to use subcontractors. “That way, the installation work is in line with the spirit of the design, and the plan can be tweaked to meet the realities on the ground without incurring additional design costs,” explains Steve Hansen, owner of Hansen Landscape Contractor in Castro Valley.

Mr. Hansen says it’s also important to get two separate price quotes, one for the design work and one for the installation and ground work. “A good designer can give you a rough idea of the total cost very early on, but no one can provide a firm quote on the actual installation costs until the design is complete.” Mr. Hansen suggests dividing the project into phases if cost becomes an issue. “The great thing about landscaping is you can usually break the project into pieces and execute it over time. It’s not like building a house, where everything basically has to be done at once.”

When it comes to creating a written contract for your landscaping project, make sure you clearly state your expectations and leave no room for confusion. Your final contract should include the following:

• Detailed plans and a description of all work to be done by the contractor, including provisions for who will clear debris from the site
• Type and quality of materials to be used
• Total cost of work to be completed
• A detailed payment schedule
• A retention clause, which requires a certain percentage of the total cost (usually 10 percent) to be held back until satisfactory completion
• A schedule of approximate dates when work is to start and be completed
• A completion clause penalty, which protects you if the contractor doesn’t meet the start and stop dates
• A close-out clause, which shows how the contract may be terminated if things don’t work out between you and the contractor
• Property lien provisions, which make the contractor responsible for obtaining lien releases from subcontractors and suppliers so you don’t end up with liens against your property or have to pay for things twice

Q: Do you work on small projects?

A: Yes. We don’t have a minimum project size. We’re happy to do something as straightforward as installing a new lawn, sprinkler system or tree.

Q: Do you use subcontractors?

A: Ninety percent of our work is done by our own employees. We do subcontract for certain specialty tasks like concrete work, but all our subcontractors are licensed, bonded and insured. We’ve worked with them for years, so we know they’ll provide our customers with high-quality products and services.

Q: Do you provide landscaping plans that are required by homeowners’ associations (HOAs)?

A: Yes. We’ve worked with many different HOAs over the years, and providing plans for their approval is a standard part of our job.

Q: How long does it take you to install a landscape?

A: That varies with the scope of the job, but most of our landscape installation projects take between three and eight weeks to complete.

Q: Do you offer free estimates?

A: Yes. We’re happy to educate our customers about project costs so they can establish realistic budgets. We do, however, have to charge for the design work itself.

Q: Do you provide maintenance and after-care for your projects?

A: Yes. We have a separate division called My Gardener that provides routine gardening and maintenance services.