Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a major outdoor project, or handing your established landscape over to a new team, is a big decision, and it's natural to want to know how a company works before you commit. For roughly four decades, Heritage Landscapes has designed, built, and cared for outdoor spaces across Marin and the greater Bay Area, with a single in-house team managing every detail from vision to long-term care. The questions below cover what homeowners ask most, answered plainly so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Fit & Services
-
Heritage Landscapes is a full-service landscape company offering design and build of complete outdoor spaces and ongoing maintenance and estate care. The build side spans landscape design, masonry, carpentry, pools, patios, lighting, and irrigation, all handled in-house. The care side protects and evolves your landscape over time with white-glove, performance-based service.
-
Heritage Landscapes is best suited for homeowners who value craftsmanship, transparency, and a long-term relationship, whether planning a full transformation or seeking attentive estate care. Someone looking only for the lowest-cost bid or a quick one-off yard cleanup is generally not the right fit. The company's value comes from design-led, in-house work and care that's built to last for years, not a single visit.
-
Heritage Landscapes serves Marin County and the surrounding Bay Area, including Novato, San Rafael, San Anselmo, Mill Valley, Sausalito, Kentfield, Ross, Belvedere, and Stinson Beach, with work extending into Sonoma, Napa, and San Francisco. The team lives and works in the region, so it understands local conditions like Marin clay, Napa heat, and coastal winds. You can confirm coverage on the Service Areas page.
-
Heritage Landscapes regularly handles large-scale residential projects and complex builds, from estate transformations to multi-feature outdoor environments. The team partners with landscape architects, engineers, and trusted trade partners on bid-build work that calls for added expertise. This network and in-house capability let the company take on projects of significant scale and detail.
Process
-
A project begins with a discovery call to align on your needs, followed by a property visit where the team assesses goals, conditions, and priorities. From there you receive a detailed, itemized proposal tailored to your space. You can see the full sequence on The Heritage Landscapes Process page.
-
During design and build, the team develops a clear plan based on a full site review of soil, elevation, and drainage, then executes construction with care so each element performs as intended. Because design and build stay under one roof, there are no hand-offs between separate companies. You're guided through the process with clear communication at each stage.
-
Heritage Landscapes handles design, construction, and long-term care with its own in-house team, supported by trusted partners on specialized work. This means one accountable team sees your landscape through, rather than a chain of subcontractors pointing fingers. It's a core reason clients describe the experience as smooth and cohesive.
-
Proposal timing depends on the type of work, with smaller projects and maintenance plans turned around quickly after a site visit. Each proposal is itemized and tailored rather than a rough estimate, so you understand exactly what's included. Reaching out through the contact page is the first step.
Communication & Accountability
-
One in-house team carries your project from design through construction and into care, so you aren't passed between separate designers, builders, and maintenance crews. This continuity is central to how Heritage Landscapes works and is reflected in its "no hand-offs, no finger-pointing" approach. You always know who is responsible for your landscape.
-
Heritage Landscapes is led by second-generation owners Dave Gross and Almora Hudson, who continue the company their mother, Jan Gross, founded in 1985. Dave focuses on design and build while Almora oversees maintenance and estate care, supported by a dedicated team. You can meet the people behind the work on the Our Team page.
-
Clear communication is part of the company's promise, with updates provided throughout the design and construction process. The team aims to make seeing your landscape come to life as enjoyable as the finished result. Questions are welcome at any stage by phone at 415-458-8151 or through the contact form.
Timelines & Performance
-
The timeline for a landscape project depends on its size and complexity, from a focused enhancement to a full estate transformation involving pools, walls, and structures. Because the work is managed in-house, projects stay coordinated and on track. A clearer schedule is provided once the design and scope are finalized.
-
The best time to start is well before the season you want to enjoy the space, since design, permitting, and construction each take time. Beginning the conversation early also allows the design phase the room it needs to be done thoughtfully. Planting and certain work also have ideal seasonal windows the team can advise on.
-
Heritage Landscapes builds longevity in from the start, with proper grading, drainage, base preparation, and material selection, then protects it through ongoing maintenance. The team designs systems that support the landscape long after installation. This combination of quality construction and continued care is what keeps a property thriving.
Pricing & Getting Started
-
Heritage Landscapes provides clear, line-item proposals so you have full transparency into your investment, with pricing tailored to your property and scope rather than a flat rate. Each proposal follows a property visit so it reflects your actual goals and conditions. More detail is available on the Pricing page.
-
Heritage Landscapes begins with a discovery call and a property visit to understand your needs before providing a detailed proposal. This initial conversation is about understanding your goals, not pressure. You can request one through the contact page or by calling 415-458-8151.
-
Having a sense of your goals, the areas you want to address, any inspiration, and a general budget range helps make the first conversation productive. You don't need finished plans or technical knowledge; that's what the design team is for. Photos of your space and a list of priorities are a helpful starting point.
-
Getting started begins with a discovery call by phone at 415-458-8151 or a message through the contact page, whether you're planning a full transformation or seeking long-term care. The team will visit your property, align on your goals, and provide a tailored, itemized proposal. It's the first step toward a landscape built to last.
Client Testimonials
"When we had a project for the front yard we didn’t hesitate to engage Heritage Landscapes. I can’t recommend their services enough!"
Brian F. via Google
Ready to begin?
Whether you’re building a brand-new sanctuary or looking for a team to help care for what you already love—we’d be honored to be your landscape partner.
