“I rarely write reviews, but my thoroughly positive experience with Nature Designs now deserves my enthusiastic effort. I have built out 4 backyards in San Diego, and this experience has been the best by far…even to the point of being really enjoyable instead of stressful! The end product pool/spa/BBQ/hardscape/landscape/lighting is absolutely spectacular, highly functional, and is the subject of exceptional praise from friends and neighbors. As just one of many examples of their exceptional work, the vanishing edges on both the pool and spa (over 50’ of it) have absolutely no high or low spots…the water flows perfectly even! So, how did we get here? The overall team approach at Nature Designs and their use of their own employees for most of the work, including both the pool and landscaping (instead of a parade of anonymous sub-contractors), is very unique and efficient.
I want to personally thank Carson (Project Manager) and Joel (Job Site Superintendent) for their never-ending attention to detail and customer satisfaction. I surely tested their patience with some of my detailed requests, but they never wavered. I started the planning/quoting process with three highly recommended candidate contractors, and it became quickly apparent that Nature Designs was a cut above the others. They took the time through a series of site visits to really understand my wants and needs (and the differences between them), as well as my concerns (including budgetary), even taking me to see other jobs they did to help refine the design. After the contract was signed, their great service became even better (not always the case with others!) as we worked through various details, even visiting some vendors together to help choose materials. As work progressed, we encountered the inevitable challenges in such a complex project, and each time Nature Designs acted as a truly knowledgeable partner to come up with viable solutions.
Anybody who has done such a project before learns to fear the words “change order”, as many contractors use this opportunity to jack up their pricing after coming in with a low original bid. In each case here, Nature Designs provided fair pricing and detailed documentation for change orders that allowed me to make the changes I really wanted without feeling taken advantage of, or having to regret not making those changes for years afterwards. There were also a number of times during the project where I noticed something not quite right, and they almost always implemented a fix before I could even point it out to them, let alone having to argue about the issue which often had been my previous experience with other contractors. Even at the end of the project getting down to the very last punch list item, their energy and attention to detail did not falter one bit…again a very unusual and refreshing experience! Nature Designs may not initially appear to be the cheapest option out there, but they are very fair and reasonable throughout the process making it extremely cost effective in the end. In my opinion, this is definitely a case of “you get what you pay for”, and actually far more! If you desire exceptional and timely project design and execution, and appreciate maintaining your personal sanity throughout the process, do yourself a favor and call Nature Designs!”
– review on houzz.com“I wish to thank you for coming to our home in Mira Mesa to discuss our project, processing our work order and giving us the estimate. I was comfortable with your crew and my husband and I were pleased with the outcome. Then today your general manager came to see how the plants were doing. That is going above and beyond and it demonstrates the quality of care of Nature Designs. Our experience will bring us back as we develop our landscaping needs. Again, thank you.”
– Mary Lohrbach, Mira Mesa, CA“Steve Jacobs and his crew from Nature Designs Landscaping did a fantastic job.They were very informative about each step of the installation. I was most impressed at the condition my yard was left after the installation. You would never of known there was any work done – my yard was left spotless.”
– Jim and Gail Aberdeen, San Diego, CA“We would like to commend you and your company on your fine work in transforming our backyard from its tired and outdated look to a delightful place for us to relax with family and friends. As you know, this was a full-scale job—demolishing an existing in-ground swimming pool/spa and then installing pavers, two pergolas, a deck for the above-ground spa, adding a new garden area and complete landscaping. The results are fantastic! We were particularly pleased with Nature Designs’ work ethics, the quality of their workers, subcontractors, foremen and particularly the project manager, Claudia Kuepper. Staying on schedule and complying with all City of Encinitas requirements were handled impeccably. We highly recommend Nature Designs.”
– Sandra and Larry Ansley, Encinitas“Nature Designs did an amazing job on our backyard and it turned out better than we imagined. We did have some growing pains during the build process but that was mostly due to our design architect. I recommend having ND do your design and build. Steve, the owner, was amazing and they truly go above and beyond to ensure you’re thrilled with the final product.”
– Greg Price, San Marcos, CA“We contracted with Nature Designs Landscape five years ago to completely redesign our backyard and they have provided maintenance monthly after completion. Without question we have the most beautiful, functional and all purpose backyard – including hot tub – in the neighborhood! The owner Steve Jacobs still checks in with us from time to time — and this is unusual TLC. Their fees are somewhat higher than the competition, yet the value they created more than made up for the difference. If you’re considering working with a professional landscape contractor Nature Designs will exceed your expectations with no surprises. They have saved us watering expense with their irrigation expertise.”
– Jim Pratt, San Diego, CA
“Our yard has never looked so good. We have a good team of weekly maintenance people from Nature Design [sic] taking care of our yard who take pride in their work and are dedicated to their jobs. Management comes once a month to do a walk thru and looks over the yard to make sure there are no problems. We have a challenging property on the side of a hill and Nature Design [sic] has managed the challenge very well and improved the look of our landscape.”
– Carol Carlisle, La Jolla, CA“Nature Designs is the original designer and contractor for my landscaping, and they maintain it. I am confident that they know the plants and the original design intent and they are familiar with the drainage and irrigation systems. I have the utmost confident [sic] that my yard is being maintain as intended. I highly recommend their work.”
– Clark Crawford, Kearny Mesa, San Diego, CA“We were so happy to drive into the property and see the yard, as it is looking beautiful. Thank you for taking such loving care of the property. You and Ever have done such an amazing job for us, it is so nice to be able to leave and trust you as our eyes and ears and then return and see the beautiful landscaping. Thank you. I love the bulbs and the color, so nice to see these when we returned and the new growth on so many of the plants and roses are wonderful. “
– Maggie Buckenmayer, Poway, CA“I wish to thank you for coming to our home in Mira Mesa to discuss our project, processing our work order and giving us the estimate. I was comfortable with your crew and my husband and I were pleased with the outcome. Then today your general manager came to see how the plants were doing. That is going above and beyond and it demonstrates the quality of care of Nature Designs. Our experience will bring us back as we develop our landscaping needs. Again, thank you.”
– Mary Lohrbach, Mira Mesa, CA
“For years my wife and I have employed a landscape staff, and struggled with management, compensation and safety issues – along with the feeling that our property wasn’t at its best. Hiring Nature Designs relieved us of all these issues and provided us with specialists that met our every need. Our 2-acre property looks better than we could have imaged [sic] and we let Nature Designs handle the staff training, insurance and payroll issues.”
– Homeowner, Del Mar, CA“Nature Designs’ crews are professional, qualified, responsive and detailed – and their staff passes our thorough background investigation. Each visit is led by an Estate Manager, and they are in a constant state of improving our property; all within a tightly managed budget. For the first time we’re focused on long-range planning for equipment replacement and repairs instead of the previous ‘broke/fix’ style of management.”
– Estate Manager, Rancho Santa Fe, CA“Within twelve months of working with Nature Designs, they completely transformed our property. Our water usage was reduced by 20% almost immediately. They manage every aspect of our landscape from construction projects and irrigation renovation, to tree pruning, organic garden production, bamboo grove and fruit orchard care. We entertain extensively and Nature Designs continues to impress us with their attention to detail.”
– Part-time Resident, Rancho Santa Fe, CA“We’ve worked with several landscape contractors who say they provide estate maintenance services but have never experienced the quality or professionalism that we’ve enjoyed with Nature Designs.”
– House Manager, La Jolla, CA“Our previous gardener worked for many large properties in our area and claimed to be qualified to provide high-level landscape management services, however, we realized that many of our palm trees had been pruned improperly, and each contracted Fusarium disease. These mature trees are now in a slow state of decline. The cost of replacing these trees, and the loss of value to our property, has been beyond disappointing. Nature Designs is now restoring our property and replanting these trees. We are learning an expensive lesson about the value of working with a certified arborist and educated professionals.”
– House Manager, La Jolla, CA
References and staff qualifications available upon request
Del Mar Residence
“Nature Designs maintains our property of over an acre; which contains many specimen trees. Nature Designs has a very knowledgeable staff. We have a significant investment in our landscape so it was critical for us to find someone that would maintain it beyond ‘mow, blow and go’…”
Poway Residence
“We chose Nature Designs after doing extensive research. We were new to the country and were looking for a contractor to work with us in the area. Our lot had never been developed and we were interested in doing a very significant project…”
Poway Landscaping
When this client had a tree cut down in her Poway home’s landscape, Nature Designs advised her to put in new plants and smaller trees, and has helped maintain the type of landscaping she desires. The client’s taste has changed through the years, and Nature Designs has worked to bring about the best landscaping that is suitable for what she requests. Nature Designs replaced the ground covering as well as several plants in the back that the client did not care for. The client was very pleased with the new, beautiful developments in this Poway back yard, since that is where she enjoys spending most of her time.