Frequently Asked Questions to San Diego Landcare Systems
- Do you offer free estimates?
- When can you start our landscaping project?
- How long will the job take to complete?
- What is the payment schedule?
- Do you offer financing?
- Do you carry insurance?
- Are you licensed?
- Are your prices competitive?
- Do you subcontract any of the work?
- How long have you been in business?
- Why should I consider a “landscape package?”
- What if my yard is larger or smaller than the packages?
- What if I want something different from what is listed in the packages?
- What kinds of plants are included in the packages?
- Do you provide custom or individual packages?
- If I already know what I want, why do I need a design?
- What if I already have a design/plan?
- What warranties do you offer?
- Do you guarantee against concrete cracking?
- What is the first step to get started on my landscaping project?
Yes, we do give free estimates based on your requests at the site visit. It is requested that you provide a scaled site plan for convenience and accuracy in preparing your quote. However, a precision or detailed plan is not included as part of the free estimate, but provided as part of the job.
When can you start our landscaping project?
Generally, it averages about 2 – 4 weeks to start the job from approval of contract, depending on the size and complexity. On occasions we can start right away, and in some cases when the workload is heavy, it can take 6 – 8 weeks to get started.
How long will the job take to complete?
All contracts are written with a 3 – 4 week completion period, and additional weeks are given for extra features and construction details. Changes or additions to the job or inclement weather can delay and extend this period.
In accordance with the State Contractors’ law, a 10% deposit or $1,000.00, which ever is less, is posted at the approval of the contract. The typical payment plan for the balance of the contract consists of a progressive schedule where payments are due upon substantial commencement and completion of definitive portions of the job, and a final payment is due on completion of the entire job.
We do accept Mastercard, Visa, and Discover charge cards. We can also provide assistance to locate outside financing, typically an equity line or line of credit, however we do suggest that you check with you current financing or banking organization first, since we do not offer our own “in house” financing.
We are a California State registered Corporation and carry a million dollar blanket, business liability policy for your protection as well as a state sponsored workers’ compensation policy.
Yes, we do maintain the required California State Contractors license, C – 27 class, #630735, and an accompanying corporate rated bond issue. We also carry additional licenses and certifications through many local municipalities, the California Agricultural Board and the American Landscape Contractors Association.
We believe after your careful comparison, over all, you will not find a better value of design and construction services offered, before, during, and after the sale. We provide a talented, knowledgeable, quality based format using state of the art techniques and brand name products without cutting corners.
Do you subcontract any of the work?
As a rule of thumb, we do not write contracts with other contractors. We generally do all of our work “in house”. This gives us complete and efficient control over scheduling, work progress and follow up service, as well as providing you with immediate responses to inquires, changes or additions. For some phases of work, depending on the workload, skills or machinery involved, we may bring in “outside” specialty labor to assist with portions of the job.
How long have you been in business?
The original founders and family of San Diego Landcare Systems Inc. have been doing business in San Diego County since 1977. Our clientele have primarily been homeowners such as you, so we’re used to dealing with the modifications and details expected on a custom build residential project.
Why should I consider a “landscape package?”
The “Landscape Packages” were originally created to assist the homeowner and designer in developing a strategy and budget that would apply to the most common situations and regular requests of the average client. These Packages will enable you to quickly determine your price range and are typically “turn-key” to bring your project to a desired level. The Packages will generally offer you a savings compared to purchasing features “a la carte.”
What if my yard is larger or smaller than the packages?
Accordingly, if your yard is smaller or larger than the quantities listed in the Packages or your desires are different, it will be determined if a credit or addition may be applied to cover these differences.
What if I want something different from what is listed in the packages?
These Packages are only intended to provide a starting point and each job is actually custom designed and tailored to meet the customers’ needs. For budgeting purposes in larger more complex projects, the packages may be applied in multiples to cover basic infrastructure improvements, while upgrades and architectural details will be added on. This allows for some design and feature flexibility during the planning process. As with many custom built projects, there can be changes and additions along the way. Final quantities, measurements and quotations are provided upon completion of the design.
What kinds of plants are included in the packages?
You generally will have your choice in the selection of the plants you will receive. The installation rate for a container size typically will remain the same, however the actual wholesale cost of the plant may vary according to the variety. You are given a “median” price per container size and an addition or credit will be applied according to the final selections.
Do you provide custom or individual packages?
Yes, your designer will develop with you, architectural working plans as part of every project. These plans not only provide a detailed format from which to observe the progress of the job, but will also satisfy the requests of Home Owners Associations and Architectural Committees.
If I already know what I want, why do I need a design?
Plans are necessary to provide efficiency and accuracy during the installation of the project. Many adjustments or discrepancies are determined during the planning process. Additionally, the plans are integrated as a tool of the contract.
What if I already have a design/plan?
If you already have an architectural, detailed design/plan developed to scale, this may assist us in the preparation of a quotation for you. However, we use our discretion in accepting offers to bid on “outside” plans without the provision of an overall budget or range provided. We can generally offer a prospective client a ballpark budget before going to the extent of providing detailed plans, saving time and preventing major changes to the scope of the project.
If you only have a rough sketch or conceptual ideas, that’s fine. You’re actually our best customer. This is a large investment and you should leave the artistic development and details to the professionals!
All of our work is guaranteed to be complete in a professional and workmanlike manner. There are expressed warranties related to irrigation and plant life ranging from 90 days to a year. We can come close, but cannot perfectly match the colors of concrete, clay, natural stone or tile products do to the inherent variations in the manufacturing of these products.
Do you guarantee against concrete cracking?
We take every measure to ensure your concrete is prepared, placed and finished to the highest standards. We prepare and install a sub base, reinforce it with rebar, add synthetic crack reducing agents and sealers for strong, slow curing. We also apply control joints and expansion felt at strategic locations. We cannot however, guarantee that stray cracks will not occur.
What is the first step to get started on my landscaping project?
Once you have developed and reviewed the project features and budget with your designer, you will enter into a Consultation/Retainer fee agreement. This fee is for design and consultation work provided only, and is not intended as a deposit for the project contract, nor does it bind the customer or contractor to a contract. Typically, a portion of this retainer may be applied towards the payment of the contract when it is written. The design process can take 2 – 4 weeks.