Samscaping Inc.

What can we say about the people who transformed our yard into something we truly enjoy every day?  Wonderful group, they care about what they do and how you'll enjoy it, and work hard to do things right the first time. It's always nice when a project runs perfectly and everything falls into place as planned. However, a true test of a company is when things don't quite go as smoothly. Due to circumstances that could have not be foreseen by the company, our landscaping project had a hiccup that caused a few weeks' delay. That was when the high level of professionalism of SamScaping came to the surface. Because it led to our project lasting longer than planned and skewing their project pipeline, it interrupted their schedule more than it did ours. After the initial confusion, they did their best to accommodate our project among the many others they had. As it turned out, those little delays in between actually ended up for the best, as they gave us time to live with things for a while and initiate a few small changes that made our property look much better than the original planning. One thing we learned is that when things didn't quite go according to plan or the schedule, it was usually for the best. Sam (Owner): Sam struck us as a highly conscientious professional, who cares for the quality of the project as well as the welfare of his employees and is not just about making profits - a rare gem!  A few examples were him making it a point to come by when subcontracting was involved, or stopping the work and sending the crew home when it got too hot in the summer. When a Jasmin plant didn't make it after the transplanting, he dug-up one from his own yard to replace it. These personal touches show how invested he is in the work, and it carries through to his team.Frank (Foreman): It is hard to describe how much Frank added to the project with his suggestions in all domains. His attention to detail was superb, and his unique design ideas upgraded our project.  He also was extremely helpful on the practical side with generous advice on pretty much everything, and we soon learned that he's usually right. Frank made sure things are done in the right order, the right way, and without cutting corners - and all that with a constant smile and a refreshingly wonderful sense of humor. His level of attention to details and caring about our project was above and beyond what we've ever experienced, as was his patience. Fermin (Mason): Fermin, with his 30+ years of experience as a mason, is a master and an artist. He soon figured out our taste, and though he didn't always share it, he made extra effort to add little touches that complemented it. His suggestions during the design process of the hardscaping were right to the point, as he has the remarkable ability to combine practical considerations with an admirable sense of aesthetics. Our hardscape design was full of curves, always a challenge and some new ones that Fermin never encountered before. He came up with creative ideas to tackle these new challenges and seemed to have enjoyed the process.  Dawn (Designer): We got to work with Dawn after the designer who was originally assigned to us left the company. Dawn's knowledge of plants is impressive, and her great suggestions showed she was taking what she had learned of our tastes into account. The garden ended up looking quite different than what we had in mind--and much better. She has the artistic eye to tie things together and create a flow that is pleasing yet doesn't look contrived. She was very open to feedback and encouraged us to say what we don't like, and when we followed her advice and cancelled a couple of plants on her list, she suggested another plant that's become my favorite. The crew: It was such a pleasure to have the SamScaping crew work on our property. The friendliness, caring and good mood of the workers made the experience a pleasurable journey. They all seem to take pride in their work, to the point that we often found one of them fixing something during his break. We were impressed by how clean they left then property every day, and by the way the different crews (hardscaping, irrigation, drainage, landscpaing) respected the work of each other.  Our garden looked surprisingly beautiful throughout the winter, and now--almost 9 months after the project was completed, and passing the test of torrent rains and a few nights of frost, it's starting to come to life as spring begins.  Sam and Frank have stopped by throughout the winter and into spring to check on how everything was doing, replacing a few plants that didn't make it, and checking in with us.And the end result is truly amazing.  Thank you so much, SamScaping, for significantly improving our quality of life. And the neighbors are happy, too  :-) More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Samscaping should have 5 stars!  The only non-5 star rating came from someone who did not actually work with them.I knew that I wanted Sam to do our backyard from the get-go.  On a few occasions, while visiting friends from different facets of life, I would marvel at their yards and beg to know who did their yard and every single one that I marvelled at turned out to be done by Samscaping.  When I went to visit references that Sam gave, again, I would walk in and feel, "Ahhh..." that peaceful serenity that emanates from each yard that he created.Yes, Samscaping is not cheap, but they are worth it!  Even my spouse who was not initially as gung-ho as me has come around and constantly comments on how much he enjoys our yard.  We have children and a dog and the Samscaping crew designed our dream yard with something for everybody.  It is a gorgeous and well-used extension of our living space.Dawn, our designer, has an impeccable sense of taste.  She really listened and masterfully blended my favorites with some wonderful additions of her own that I would never have dreamed of.Our project included hardscaping for dining, seating, and grill area, new lawn, plants, trees, pergola with retractable shade, water fountain with retaining wall, sandpit for our freestanding hammock, play structure area, raised beds for vegetables, and all the irrigation required to maintain it.  Sam, Frank, and Dave were constantly around, making sure that things were perfect.  We have a corner lot and pushed out our fence to gain more backyard space.  This had to be rebuilt and we decided to have Samscaping beautify the outside strip, also.  Neighbors passing by repeatedly compliment not only the outer landscaped area, but also our fence!  I could go on and on.If something isn't perfect, they fix it.  We love, love them...and our yard. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

What can we say about the people who transformed our yard into something we truly enjoy every day? Wonderful group, they care about what they do and how you'll enjoy it, and work hard to do things right the first time. It’s always nice when a project runs perfectly and everything falls into place as planned. However, a true test of a company is when things don’t quite go as smoothly. Due to circumstances that could have not be foreseen by the company, our landscaping project had a hiccup that caused a few weeks’ delay. That was when the high level of professionalism of SamScaping came to the surface. Because it led to our project lasting longer than planned and skewing their project pipeline, it interrupted their schedule more than it did ours. After the initial confusion, they did their best to accommodate our project among the many others they had. As it turned out, those little delays in between actually ended up for the best, as they gave us time to live with things for a while and initiate a few small changes that made our property look much better than the original planning. One thing we learned is that when things didn't quite go according to plan or the schedule, it was usually for the best.

Sam (Owner): Sam struck us as a highly conscientious professional, who cares for the quality of the project as well as the welfare of his employees and is not just about making profits - a rare gem! A few examples were him making it a point to come by when subcontracting was involved, or stopping the work and sending the crew home when it got too hot in the summer. When a Jasmin plant didn't make it after the transplanting, he dug-up one from his own yard to replace it. These personal touches show how invested he is in the work, and it carries through to his team.

Frank (Foreman): It is hard to describe how much Frank added to the project with his suggestions in all domains. His attention to detail was superb, and his unique design ideas upgraded our project. He also was extremely helpful on the practical side with generous advice on pretty much everything, and we soon learned that he’s usually right. Frank made sure things are done in the right order, the right way, and without cutting corners – and all that with a constant smile and a refreshingly wonderful sense of humor. His level of attention to details and caring about our project was above and beyond what we’ve ever experienced, as was his patience.

Fermin (Mason): Fermin, with his 30+ years of experience as a mason, is a master and an artist. He soon figured out our taste, and though he didn't always share it, he made extra effort to add little touches that complemented it. His suggestions during the design process of the hardscaping were right to the point, as he has the remarkable ability to combine practical considerations with an admirable sense of aesthetics. Our hardscape design was full of curves, always a challenge and some new ones that Fermin never encountered before. He came up with creative ideas to tackle these new challenges and seemed to have enjoyed the process.

Dawn (Designer): We got to work with Dawn after the designer who was originally assigned to us left the company. Dawn's knowledge of plants is impressive, and her great suggestions showed she was taking what she had learned of our tastes into account. The garden ended up looking quite different than what we had in mind--and much better. She has the artistic eye to tie things together and create a flow that is pleasing yet doesn't look contrived. She was very open to feedback and encouraged us to say what we don't like, and when we followed her advice and cancelled a couple of plants on her list, she suggested another plant that's become my favorite.

The crew It was such a pleasure to have the SamScaping crew work on our property. The friendliness, caring and good mood of the workers made the experience a pleasurable journey. They all seem to take pride in their work, to the point that we often found one of them fixing something during his break. We were impressed by how clean they left then property every day, and by the way the different crews (hardscaping, irrigation, drainage, landscpaing) respected the work of each other.

Our garden looked surprisingly beautiful throughout the winter, and now—almost 9 months after the project was completed, and passing the test of torrent rains and a few nights of frost, it’s starting to come to life as spring begins. Sam and Frank have stopped by throughout the winter and into spring to check on how everything was doing, replacing a few plants that didn't make it, and checking in with us.

And the end result is truly amazing. Thank you so much, SamScaping, for significantly improving our quality of life. And the neighbors are happy, too :-) More...

Reviewed on Houzz

Samscaping is a great company which does incredible work. I have been on a number of their projects and, as a landscape architect, can attest to the quality of their work and their eye for detail.

I am also a college professor and Sam Whitney has assisted our horticulture program on a number of occasions, most recently in the loan of a large tree for our use in creating a garden for the San Francisco Flower and Garden Show. I would highly recommend this landscape construction firm. More...

Reviewed on Houzz

An update - 2 years in. Still very, very pleased with the outcome. I know I'm probably one of Sam's smaller projects, but he treats me as if I was his most important customer. The bills have all been paid and settled long ago, but Sam still comes by to check on the plants and make adjustments to the watering - incredible service from a very knowledgeable and helpful professional. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I've had the pleasure of working with Samscaping for a few years now, they are a valued customer of Peninsula Building materials.
I worked closely with Dawn Engle and Tracy Vanoncini who often bring their clients to our masonry Design Showroom in Mountain View. It's very pleasing to see how they have incorporated our Stone and masonry products into their very creative designs.
They have been around for a long time, are very professional, and in my opinion, do great work. If you are looking to be inspired, take a look at their web site www.samscaping.com More...

Reviewed on Houzz

I am thrilled with how my project turned out. It entailed a complete makeover of my front and back yards. Samscaping may well not be the cheapest, but my key criteria were quality and peace of mind.

Also, I look at the difference between price and cost. The price is what I paid. The cost to me was knowing that I got:

(i) value for money (as evidenced by the joy we get out of using our new backyard and the comments from friends and strangers)
(ii) peace of mind that I didn't have to micro-manage the project. I actually had an enjoyable experience (unlike some of the horror stories you hear about contractors),
(iii) comfort knowing that I got a quality product in the end.

Samscaping worked closely with my designer (Julie Orr Design) to take her vision and make it into a reality. Sam has a degree in horticulture so I was able to benefit from both his expertise in this area. Sam was easy to deal with and even on the few occasions where there were minor issues, I found him to be very reasonable and fair.

I have to give a special shout-out to the day-to-day Project Manager, Frank. Awesome! I cannot speak highly enough about him. Apart from really knowing his stuff, he is very detail-oriented and has a great design sense. I trust and value his opinion so much it got to the point where I would ask his opinion on everything (furniture, paint colors, you name it). If Frank is looking after your project you will be in very safe hands.

The majority of the team has been with Samscaping for many years (another good sign). When I compared the various initial bids I decided I wanted to buy experience. That had real value to me as I had never attempted anything like this project before and I am not very handy around the house. Sam, Frank and the team have been around the block many times and it showed. There were several times during the project when they made suggestions above and beyond the plan which turned out to beneficial to the overall project.

The bottom line is, I got an excellent quality end-product and value for money. Highly recommended. More...

Reviewed on Houzz

Samscaping did a wonderful job on our landscaping project. Through the years we have worked with many types of contractors and we were especially pleased with the service and professionalism that we encountered with Sam and his staff. There is care and pride in what they do. Dawn, the designer, is amazing in her knowledge of plants, design, and just knowing what we wanted. It was a pleasure to work with her. While there are certainly cheaper landscapers around, we are totally happy with our decision to use Samscaping and would highly recommend them. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Even though it has been over a year since Samscaping had completed my landscaping, I felt they deserve a review on Yelp due to Sam's willingness to continually make sure the job that he had completed over a year ago is just as good as when he first completed it. As I've said, working with Samscaping had been fantastic, and still is to some extent as it's been over an year since we have completed our project and they still come by to replace plants, if dead, and check on their work. Enrica (our designer but has since left) was a joy to work with and was the one that designed both our front and back yard. Sam (the owner) was just amazing to work but I think his best traits were his honesty and integrity. He was extremely up-front with any issues and recommendations throughout the entire process. The projects was managed extremely well and within the budget and time completed exactly as negotiated. He gave weekly reports on what was happening just like you would expect someone managing an expensive project like this to do so. The crew was extremely professional and at times, I probably saw 5+ working on the yard. I can tell you that Samscaping is not the cheapest landscaper out there, but I would have them landscape any home and recommend him for any projects in the future. Like most homeowners, one of the biggest reasons for choosing a landscaper is to ensure that they are on budget and willing to work with you if you find issues along the way without gouging/hold you hostage for price. How many of us actually believe that we wouldn't want minor changes throughout the process? He did all that without charging anything extra. The finished product is exactly what I wanted and never felt like if I had only changed it this way, I'd be happier. Sam will work with you the entire process. You are paying for a peace of mind and I think that's worth it given the horror stories I've heard from other homeowners. What also sets Sam apart from others is his love of his work. He really enjoys what he does and it shows in the finished product. It's as if he was trying to landscape for his own home and so he will meticulously ensure that every nook and crack are looked at as if he owned the home. He will find issues that you weren't aware of and will fix anything you find. In fact, months after he was done, he continually checks on his work as plants do need time to set in and adjusts water as needed. Just recently (over an year since I finished the landscaping project), he came by and replace dead plants as well as the entire electrical outdoor outlets since I was complaining that it has been shorting out recently. No cost! It just doesn't get better than this and I highly recommend anyone looking to landscape their home to at least talk to Sam and see what his team has to offer. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Working with Samscaping had been fantastic, and still is to some extent as it's been over an year since we have completed our project and they still come by to replace plants, if dead, and check on their work. Enrica (our designer) was a joy to work with and was the one that designed both our front and back yard. Sam (the owner) was just amazing to work but I think his best traits were his honesty and integrity. He was extremely up-front with any issues and recommendations throughout the entire process. The projects was managed extremely well and within the budget and time completed exactly as negotiated. He gave weekly reports on what was happening just like you would expect someone managing an expensive project like this to do so. The crew was extremely professional and at times, I probably saw 5+ working on the yard.

I can tell you that Samscaping is not the cheapest landscaper out there, but I would have them landscape any home and recommend him for any projects in the future. Like most homeowners, one of the biggest reasons for choosing a landscaper is to ensure that they are on budget and willing to work with you if you find issues along the way without gouging/hold you hostage for price. How many of us actually believe that we wouldn't want minor changes throughout the process? He did all that without charging anything extra. The finished product is exactly what I wanted and never felt like if I had only changed it this way, I'd be happier. Sam will work with you the entire process. You are paying for a peace of mind and I think that's worth it given the horror stories I've heard from other homeowners.

What also sets Sam apart from others is his love of his work. He really enjoys what he does and it shows in the finished product. It's as if he was trying to landscape for his own home and so he will meticulously ensure that every nook and crack are looked at as if he owned the home. He will find issues that you weren't aware of and will fix anything you find. In fact, months after he was done, he continually checks on his work as plants do need time to set in and adjusts water as needed. Just recently (over an year since I finished the landscaping project), he came by and replace dead plants as well as the entire electrical outdoor outlets since I was complaining that it has been shorting out recently. No cost! It just doesn't get better than this and I highly recommend anyone looking to landscape their home to at least talk to Sam and see what his team has to offer. More...

Reviewed on Houzz

Samscaping was a wonderful company to work with. Sam, his designer, and construction crew were all outstanding! We worked with them to design and construct our dream backyard, including an outdoor kitchen, spa, fountain, fire pit, putting green and amazing flowers, plants, and trees! They provided us with professional service and a beautiful finished product. They are solution-oriented, and have provided the highest level of customer support throughout the project and beyond. We highly recommend Samscaping! More...

Reviewed on Houzz

I am thrilled with how my project turned out. It entailed a complete makeover of my front and back yards. (See photos).  The project included hardscape, outdoor kitchen, Louvretec roof, firepit, lounge area, lighting, speakers, heaters, and garden (new lawn, flowers, trees, and irrigation). Samscaping may well not be the cheapest, but my key criteria were quality and peace of mind. Also, I look at the difference between price and cost. The price is what I paid. The cost to me was knowing that I got:(i) value for money (as evidenced by the joy we get out of using our new backyard and the comments from friends and strangers)(ii) peace of mind that I didn't have to micro-manage the project. I actually had an enjoyable experience (unlike some of the horror stories you hear about contractors), (iii) comfort knowing that I got a quality product in the end. Samscaping worked closely with my designer (Julie Orr Design) to take her vision and make it into a reality. Sam has a degree in horticulture so I was able to benefit from both his expertise in this area. Sam was easy to deal with and even on the few occasions where there were minor issues, I found him to be very reasonable and fair. I have to give a special shout-out to the day-to-day Project Manager, Frank. Awesome! I cannot speak highly enough about him. Apart from really knowing his stuff, he is very detail-oriented and has a great design sense. I trust and value his opinion so much it got to the point where I would ask his opinion on everything (furniture, paint colors, you name it). If Frank is looking after your project you will be in very safe hands. The majority of the team has been with Samscaping for many years (another good sign). When I compared the various initial bids I decided I wanted to buy experience. That had real value to me as I had never attempted anything like this project before and I am not very handy around the house. Sam, Frank and the team have been around the block many times and it showed. There were several times during the project when they made suggestions above and beyond the plan which turned out to beneficial to the overall project. The bottom line is, I got an excellent quality end-product and value for money. Highly recommended. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

The best landscaping company I have come across in the Bay Area. Honest. Quality. And they are passionate about what they do.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Samscaping has been doing the maintenance of my garden for the past 3 years and they are awesome! Finally I have someone that takes true care of my garden and my plants, from pruning to fertilizing, etc. Last year they did the side yard after my kitchen remodel. I wanted to landscape an area that had become more visible after changing the position of the windows in the kitchen. Working with Sam was a true pleasure. I followed his recommendation for the plants to use in the area and the result is stunning. I wish I had known them few years ago when I did the entire landscaping of my backyard. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Two years ago we did a complete remodel (ripped out the concrete, replanted, added lighting) of our backyard and a re-planting and lighting of the front yard.  Both Sam and Johnna have a remarkable artistic eye.   I chose Samscaping based on the beauty I saw in the references they had given to me.  We have been consistently pleased with their work, and they now do the weekly regular upkeep of our frontyard and backyard. Our enjoyment of our home has been greatly ampified by their expertise and attention to artistic detail. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Samscaping was originally recommended to me by close friends, and we have never regretted our decision to use Samscaping for our initial front yard project over 15 years ago and then for annual "cleanup" projects.  He has been willing to do small projects for us and come by to fix the irrigation system as well as the larger ones.  It's a pleasure realizing that the same staff who initially did our brick walkway are still employed 15 years later and proud of their work.  These are employees who are knowledgeable and skilled, so I'm happy to pay a fair price.My only caveat is that since the weather and scheduling can be variable, sometimes we have to wait to get our smaller projects done. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Sam did a brick and decomposed gravel driveway for us along with some general landscaping and drainage work. They did a great job on all the work in a timely manner. He is a bit more expensive than some but he has a steady crew of guys who knock out jobs efficiently rather than using an inconsistent crew of day laborers. You get what you pay for.We will definitely use him again. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Sam landscaped our backyard last year.  It was a smallish project for about $12,000, requiring walkway and patio placement, building a cute vegetable box, and landscaping.  His crew was very professional, coming at the specified time, doing their work and cleaning up after themselves.  While Sam was a little more expensive than a couple of the other places that we had called, the quality of his work was good and his communication was excellent.  The final cost was very close to the initial estimate. We were also impressed that he came by a few weeks after the project was complete and all paid for, just for follow up.  It showed that he had pride in his work. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I saw the previous negative reviews for Samscaping and I just wanted to say that Sam has done two landscaping projects for us - one shortly after we moved in 20 years ago, and again last year for the front yard after our kitchen remodel was finished.  Both were smallish projects.  We were very pleased with his work both times and found him very easy to work with.  His knowledge of plant material is extensive, especially of native plants for our area, and always is cognizant of our budget.  I wouldn't work with anyone else. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I have been working with Sam for several months on my project in Palo Alto and have had nothing but great things to say. I am glad that Sam is not the cheapest because you get what you pay for in landscaping.As for Dee J, please consider your role and client etiquette. While I think it is fine to interview via the phone multiple landscape contractors to find out the best  fit, you should be able to narrow your search down to 2-3 for an actual bid. Remember that you are building a life long relation with your contractor (well at least for the life of your landscape) and that you should be basing your decision on quality not price. Anyone getting 4-5 bids is just shopping for the lowest price and not really considering the relationship and how many hours it takes of their valuable time to create an estimate.Sam is doing the stone hardscape, planting, carpentry, irrigation, lighting, outdoor kitchen and fire pit. He has also been helpful with other subcontractors like the sound system and mechanical arbor contractors. Thank you Sam! Keep up the good work. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Samscaping has given us the backyard of our dreams!  We have enjoyed working with Sam's designer and landscaping team.  He has the highest ethical standards, and has made modifications and adjustments to make sure everything is done right.  He doesn't cut corners and makes sure the quality of the project is never compromised.  From our outdoor kitchen, to our spa and fire pit, we were kept informed of the progress throughout construction, and the designers made sure everything was well coordinated to our taste and worked with the size and shape of our property.  The planting choices are beautiful and we are thrilled with the colors, and variety.  Everything was carefully selected to complement the overall design.  We also appreciate that all permits were secured, that his workers are all insured, and that the crew takes care to clean up each night.   Another benefit in working with Sam is that he is very upfront and fair in his costs.  There are no surprises.  Every detail is in the proposal and contract, so there are no hidden fees.  Sam provided us with several design options so that we could have the design we wanted, yet stay within our budget.   I highly recommend Samscaping, we couldn't be happier with our landscaping! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I don't know about you but whenever I have to deal with contractors my stomach seizes up...soooo I was thrilled to not have that be the case with Samscaping. We did  a lot of homework before selecting Samscaping because we had seen many positive reviews of their work.  They helped us with a complete backyard re-do including changing part of our driveway and the whole thing  exceeded our expectations. Not only were they easy to work with but they did everything they said they would - they kept up with us every step of the way, kept us informed, their crew was prompt, thorough and professional. They consulted us when the inevitable issues arouse, and made sure we were partners in the project.  Whenever we had an issue on a plant location or type of grill or location of sprinkler etc, that Sam and Johnna were both always extremely reasonable in working it through with us and helping us make a good informed decision. If we ever need work again we will use them. They ain't cheap - great work rarely is. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We had a fantastic experience with Samscaping!Two years ago, we decided it was time to re-landscape our tired and worn out backyard.  We contacted several landscaping firms and had them come out to discuss the project.  We didn't have a clear idea what we wanted beyond some broad guidelines; save a few trees, provide a patio large enough for entertaining, build a cascading water feature, and install a putting green.When Sam and Johnna arrived for the initial consultation, we took to them immediately.  While it was obvious they had a 'vision' for the project, they listened to us and accommodated our requirements.  They understood what we were trying to achieve and were willing to work within the budget that we had set.  Just a few days later, Johnna presented her initial design.  It was nearly perfect, giving us everything that we wanted.  It also contained some distinctive features that we never would have dreamed of.  Duly impressed, we selected Samscaping to renovate our yard.Very quickly, Sam had his crew out demolishing, pushing dirt, molding the topography.  Every day we came home to see what magic the crew had performed that day.  Almost every day brought smiles as we could see Johnna's design come to life outside our backdoor.  The best day for me was when the water feature (a pond-less waterfall) was turned on.As the project moved forward (ahead of schedule, btw), the Samscaping team was instrumental in helping us pick materials, both plants and hardscape.  They hand-chose many of the materials, selected varied and interesting plants, and were always mindful of our budget.Throughout the entire project, the Samscaping crew was professional, hardworking, and clearly committed to providing a superior result.  They were detail-oriented and only satisfied with a first-rate appearance.  They spent hours re-working various features until they were perfect.The end result was a complete transformation of our backyard, on our terms and within our budget.  Our backyard is now a sanctuary.  It has won several landscaping awards--and we are proud of that--but it's the day-to-day enjoyment of our property that gives us the greatest satisfaction.  Every time we walk into our yard, we are thankful that we were able to partner with Samscaping.The strongest endorsement we can give to Samscaping is that the next time we undertake a landscaping project, we will not even consider another firm.  Samscaping has our business for as long as they want it. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We worked with Johnna on the conceptual design of our front yard landscaping and took into account the special needs/constraints that existed. (huge pine trees in the front that shades the yard and drops needles/sap) Johnna let me peruse a number of plant books (native California plants, low maintenance plants) that helped us both identify preferable plantings for the yard.  We discussed textures and heights and colors to improve the curbside appeal of the home and "welcome" people visiting the home.  The project from design to completion took around 6 weeks.  Sam, the owner, was also very involved in the project, and the work crew and Johnna's assistant checked on the yard post-planting a few times a week.  A few plants have died off due to the heat and will be replaced.  We are really happy with the results and our neighbors are too. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Samscaping is an excellent, award-winning landscaping company.  We got to fondly know their team as they worked on our backyard remodeling project.  Their designer, Johnna, created a beautiful concept hand-drawn sketch after our first consultation that we instantly liked.  She really listened and included all our desires.  We had talked with several landscapers prior to this and even went as far as paying for designs, but none of them seemed to capture what we were asking for.  We knew we'd be happy working with Samscaping with their professionalism and straight-forward approach to designing based on our budget.Johnna put the sketch into a CAD program and provided us with a large drawing, list of materials and estimated labor cost breakdown.  We worked back and forth a few times to fine tune the plan.  Throughout this process, Sam (the owner) and Johnna were very encouraging and helpful, willing to take the time to explain details to us.  We achieved a mutual comfort level on the design, process and cost.Sam has a great, hard-working crew.  Their team are professionals, know their stuff, and arrive on-time as scheduled.  They answered our questions easily and encouraged us to participate and make decisions as we went along.  If something wasn't up to Sam's high expectations, he would re-do the work and replace plants at no cost to us.  Sam, Johnna, or Peter (field engineer) were on-site every day during the construction process making sure that every detail was taken care of.  We enjoyed our interactions with them and always looked forward to seeing them.The project proceeded in phases:  - Removal of our existing bricks and plants- Trench and install irrigation and electrical- Laying of hardscape elements including Connecticut bluestone flagstone, decomposed granite, concrete underlay for a flagstone patio- Building a pondless waterfall by Peter (he did beautiful work).  Picking and placing just the right stones.- Building a redwood arbor- Building a seat wall with custom cut bluestone top - Low-voltage lighting placement- Soil amendment and plantingThroughout the process Sam, Johnna, and Peter asked us for input and reviewed the work being done daily.  They would gladly redo anything that wasn't up to their high standards (or ours).  Compare that to other contractors who would come to your home and implement something that you're stuck with it.  We were very lucky to find Samscaping.Our yard is beautiful and we are very pleased with the work they did.  We highly recommend Samscaping for your landscaping project.  Check out their extensive portfolio at samscaping.com More...

Reviewed on Yelp