Bon Terra completed our backyard project a few weeks ago, and we couldn't be happier. From start to finish we were impressed with the communication, collaboration, and hard work from Johnny's design, to Isaac and his construction crew. We started the backyard journey by getting 15 bids from landscape construction companies. We had done plenty of home remodels and rebuilds, but never embarked on a backyard landscape project. Bon Terra impressed us immediately, as they were the only company that was up front with design ideas, costs, and time. Johnny was able to design a backyard that fit our aesthetic, and came up with many ideas we never thought of. He was able to make changes as needed, and was always open to work with our own ideas. We found Isaac and his construction crew to be personable, hard working, and punctual. They work four days per week, Tuesday through Friday, which worked great for us. We were appreciative that Isaac was able to roll with the punches when we had some unplanned issues pop up. We could get stressed out or impatient about the "snafus," but Isaac never did. Thank you! The pricing was fair for the quality of work by Bon Terra. I wish they took credit cards, but completely understand why they wouldn't! I have already recommended Bon Terra Landscapes to friends, and anyone asking for a referral. read more

Bon Terra Landscapes - Landscaping Near Me - Corte Madera, California

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We just finished a large front yard project with Bon Terra, and we could not be happier. Johnny's vision and Isaac and his crew's hard work and professionalism truly transformed the front of our home. The attention to detail and follow-up of any/all of our concerns through the process was immediately discussed and resolved (if necessary). From the new walls and stairs, wooden deck entry, new railings and drought and deer-resistant plantings, the workmanship is exemplary. And, to top it off, they are such a pleasure to work with! Thank you, Bon Terra!! read more

Johnny and his team (go Isaac) were fantastic. The design was spot-on. The installation crew was great. They accommodated numerous changes throughout the process and have even come back post job to take care of a few issues that inevitably arise. Highly recommended!!! read more

Johnny and crew are awesome. A week ago they finished my backyard after doing my front yard a year ago. Very precise, detailed and high quality work for competitive pricing. read more

Johnny's vision and his crew transformed our neglected backyard into a private sanctuary. We cannot be happier with the new wooden deck, flagstone patios, boulder retaining wall, a new fence that allow best utilization of the space while maximizing the view and providing privacy. They were absolutely professional and communicative and efficient throughout the whole process. Built into a hillside, our house had major drainage problems that put the interior remodeling plan on hold. That's why we decided to tackle the landscape remodel first, making drainage a priority. The crew removed the old clogged and misplaced pipes and installed a new drainage system and rerouted the flow away from the house and down the hill. (We also had french drains done inside.) Our basement and the crawlspace have stayed dry all winter for the first time since we moved in. They also planted low-maintenance, drought-resistant, mostly native plants and trees in our front and backyard with drip-irrigation. We don't get to enjoy the yard much during work week, and LED lighting with a timer makes it nice to come home to. read more

Bon Terra was hired to design and complete a straightforward renovation of my backyard and surrounding landscape. After delays and mishandling, the project fell several months past the completion date culminating in Bon Terra's breach of our contract and quitting altogether. Despite making all payments in the tens of thousands of dollars on time and in accordance with the contract, I've been left with property damage and a landscape in complete disarray. A mature lemon tree is now dead and huge expensive rolls of artificial turf that I was required to purchase from Bon Terra were never installed and sit in my yard. The hardscape (concrete) that was actually completed is disappointingly inconsistent with the approved design. Additionally, they've defaulted on their agreement to install irrigation, earthwork, planting and carpentry resulting in complications for other contractors. An early concern was that Bon Terra and crew only work 4 days a week. The undertaking of a pool refurb was advised by Bon Terra but in the wake of a delay with their suggested contractor, Bon Terra decided to take on other jobs because they would not maneuver around the pool project. Unquestionably, Bon Terra is inept of working around other contractors and has difficulty managing predictable problems. Considering the simple scope of the plan it really made no sense that my entire project be sidelined when trenching, grading, drainage, carpentry and form building could have easily been progressed over the course of the summer in concurrence with other work that was delayed. Despite a litany of excuses, it was often that Johnny (Bon Terra's Owner) made mention of his prevailing plans for Mexico, fishing trips to Colorado, golf tournaments and his urgency to build a duck blind in Williams which were all clearly taking precedence over my project which sat abandoned for months. Another insurmountable hurdle for Bon Terra was a single stump that I had already paid one of Johnny's contacts to remove, which he didn't. I had to hire and pay another contractor to do so. When I voiced my disappointment, Johnny followed up with an attempt to confront me in front of my child and later threatened to quit over an erroneous accusation that I was taking frustrations out on him. Johnny suddenly advocated to use a subcontractor instead of his crew to complete the preeminent phase of the hardscape which finally had a green light. The options presented were that I either go along with it or face another long delay because of Bon Terra's other projects. Several weeks later the sub finally began work on the hardscape. Bon Terra requested that I submit full payment for this phase prior to completion which was not in-line with our contract. Out of good faith I sent payment for the full balance. Subsequently, I realized that there were serious inconsistencies from the approved design. When I approached Johnny, I was immediately dismissed by his pomposity, condescension and arrogance which was followed by another threat to quit because, "I was too difficult to deal with". Weeks later the forms were totally completed, inconsistent to the approved geometry. With just hours before the first pour of concrete, Johnny asked me whether or not I wanted to delete the section of the patio that he screwed up on altogether or re-form according to the original approved design at an additional cost with an added long delay. A stunning impropriety considering this mistake could have easily been mitigated before the forms were completed. Weeks later Johnny finally showed up with a very hostile attitude. He asked where I wanted posts placed to repair the gate they previously demolished. Our original agreement entailed he would design and build a new structure but since he was now leaving this job in the dust, his new intent was to build it back using the existing damaged lumber. When asked for his advisement he replied, "I'm not advising you on anything" and demanded that I draw him exactly what I wanted with his pad and paper. That was the last time I saw Johnny because he finally received the scolding he long deserved at which time he did finally quit. In 25 years of professionally working with contractors I'm extremely disappointed on how this project was handled. I found Bon Terra to be completely incompetent of professionally managing a routine project that should have been well within the scope of their purported professional history. Johnny's personal conduct was also objectionable, he had no shortage of disparaging comments about his fellow contractors which undermined my confidence in them. The same can be said about his routine characterizations about clients in a demeaning manner, myself included. If you value your property and livelihood you should definitely cross this company off your list. By virtue of their unethical business practices my family and I have been denied the enjoyable use of our backyard and surrounding landscape indefinitely. read more

What a transformation - What a service - What a great crew of people to work with...... and our dog, who is a great judge of character, loved them! After more than 10 years living with our sloped Mill Valley back yard we brought in Johnny and crew for a complete transformation. We appreciated Johnny's experience (and patience) in working through the design process with us to balance our desires to create "flat" spaces, ease of maintenance, sustainability and cost. The process was very straight forward and upfront wrt costs and planning with a clear articulation of pros and cons for decisions we needed to make. The "on the job" crew were fantastic, always considerate on how we'd gain access to our home during the process, always clean and tidy, and great at letting us know what to expect day to day. Post completion followup has also been there - to check we are happy with everything. We look forward to working with Johnny, Lisa and crew in the near future on our front garden. read more

Two stars because Lisa did return my call. I had high hopes to talk to Bon Terra based on their reviews and customer comments about doing even small jobs, advice against a huge project and staying within budgets. I have a large level backyard 4,000+ sq ft. Lisa emailed me "We are a design/build construction company geared for projects with starting budgets of approximately $40k". Not so sure I'd trust theses reviews. Maybe that's why they only have a few reviews in the last couple years. It took 24 hours to get a reply to my phone call to try to give them business. It took less than 12 hours to get a reply to a criticism, now one star. Service starts as soon as a customer contacts you. Congratulations you can make judgements by email and select your customers. read more

Johnny at Bon Terra Landscapes is the greatest. I had a very small job - a small front yard - but he agreed to do it for me anyway. I also showed him my large(r) backyard on a 50% grade and talked about my plans for it... Johnny actually advised me AGAINST a huge project and encouraged making the most of what I have by just cleaning it up with some natural landscaping. What contractor downsells you??? Well, apparently, Johnny - when he thinks a smaller project makes the most sense. Huge kudos. So stop looking. This is the guy to call. read more

We found Johnny on Yelp and immediately liked him. He had a real practical approach to our landscaping desires, and a willingness to work within our small budget. He broke the plan up into parts so it was palatable and evan kept his patience when I couldn't make up my mind. Our project looks fantastic and we are beyond pleased. He did exactly what we wanted! We're already plotting phase 2 and will definitely work with Johnny again. read more

I purchased my house knowing that my backyard needed a lot of work. It was a hodgepodge of overgrown shrubs on a hillside that was in-accessible, a concrete slab from the 60's, retaining walls that were crumbling, an assortment of potted plants and a random splattering of multiple different types of gravel. I found Johnny on Yelp and decided to discuss my backyard redo with both him and another local landscaping company. Both companies had good ideas, but Johnny was clearly the one to go with. He was very warm and approachable, professional, creative and obviously very knowledgeable. His practical approach to my project was what ultimately made me decide to go with Bon Terra. I was set on a few things and Johnny questioned why I would spend the money on them out of the gate. He really took the time to understand how I planned to utilize the space before he recommended anything. The other company was happy simply providing me with a proposal. I was very impressed with the proposal he provided, the project was clearly scoped out, each line item was very detailed, and he took the time to go through it with me. I will share that Johnny and his crew were very busy and it did take a few months from when I signed the contract for them to start the project (they clearly are in demand), but it was well worth the wait. When the project kicked off I expanded the scope significantly and Johnny was very patient with me. He talked me through the additions, while always being sure to remind me of my budget so I did not go overboard. Johnny's crew was hard working, efficient, friendly and very respectful, each day they made a point to clean up the site, even during demolition. I could not believe how fast they got the project done once they started. It was an amazing process to watch. The final project included a new flagstone patio and steps, a lawn, and stairs to a hillside garden that Johnny planted with low water native plants that fit in perfect with my existing plantings. They also installed a new retaining wall, drainage, irrigation and lighting. My new backyard is absolutely beautiful and really changed the overall look of my property. It looks well planned and finished. I would highly recommend Johnny and his crew! read more

Not clear that this company is actually operational, or maybe just not interested in responding to inquiries. I recently moved to Corte Madera and emailed as well as called (left a voicemail) for a landscape overhaul at my house, no response, and in their same town no less. Silver lining: better to find out sooner than later, before contracting! read more

Johnny and his team developed a wonderful plan for our large, sloped front yard. He did an amazing job of identifying our priorities and helping us make tradeoffs in a complicated design. He also recommended a perfect blend of California native and low-water plants which had style and visual impact. At night, the .ighting is subtle and highlights the best parts of the garden. The end result is easily the best feature of our home, and we feel relaxed every time we drive up our our street and see our landscaping. read more

We recently completed a large project in our backyard and I cannot tell you how fortunate we are to have found Johnny. He is extraordinarily professional, creative, and flexible. We absolutely love the way our yard turned out (better than we could have ever dreamed) and he was particularly careful about working within our budget. He was very good about listening to us and incorporating some of our themes and ideas into the over-all plan. We're definitely planning on using Johnny for phases 2 and 3 and are actively recommending him to any of our friends and neighbors. You can't go wrong with this guy. read more

I just finished a major backyard renovation with Bon Terra, and could not be happier. They do excellent work and have a strong work ethic and awesome customer service. Super professional. The whole team rocks! I would work with them again in a heart beat! read more

During the process of a large remodel and addition, both our front and back yards were completely ruined. We contacted a few landscapers to discuss our requirements, potential designs, and get bids. Johnny was the obvious choice for a few reasons: he was willing to work within our budget; he's incredibly creative and immediately had ideas for some of our 'challenging' spots where others seemed stumped; and not least of which, he a very professional, energetic and all around nice guy. The end result was fantastic. We consistently get compliments on our yard and have recommended Johnny to many. We have since moved to a new location (another project) and are eager to work with Johnny again on making this yard just as beautiful. read more

After trying to schedule an estimate twice they cancelled on us saying they could not get to it until the end of the year. Don't bother calling them until 2014. And then left a threatening voicemail in response to my negative review. read more

Johnny & his crew are awesome! He takes the time to see what your project is, studies the space & pays attention to your vision & your budget! Great guy to work with! Came in under budget & his workers were friendly & thoughtful about their work. Call him now. read more

Bon Terra Landscapes worked on two large projects for us -- replacing a retaining wall and landscaping our front yard. On both projects, Johnny and his team were extremely professional, presented complete and accurate designs and estimates, arrived on time as scheduled, worked diligently and efficiently, and were pleasant and easy to work with. The only delay in work completion was due to an unexpectedly long stretch of inclement weather. Johnny made it easy to prioritize design elements so that we were able to complete the work in stages, as our budget permitted. Most every day, we watch strolling neighbors stop in front of our home to admire and point out interesting elements of our yard design. We couldn't be happier with the results. read more

We are so lucky to find Bon Terra and Johnny Fort - they did an exceptional job from start to finish. Johnny listened closely to our goals and our concerns for our sloped, sunny yard. He was able to come up with many solutions that were both affordable and practical. He understood instantly what our style of living was in our outdoor space and what our needs were in terms of easy care and drought tolerance. There was a lot of "editing' that needed to be done of plants we already had (it was quite a jumble) and he knows his stuff - and came up with many great options for us that really improved the garden's look. Finally, Johnny and his crew were always on time, pleasant to have around, tidied up after everything they did, right away. It was quickly apparent that if Johnny said it would be done in a certain way, at a certain time it was DONE. We really are thrilled with his great work and fantastic attitude - hopefully we'll get him back in the Spring to help us sort out our front yard next! read more

We recently decided to finally landscape our front yard, and couldn't be happier with Bon Terra's work. We met with four landscapers, all with different approaches, and chose Johnny based on his attitude, ideas, and the glowing recommendations. Our landscaping makes an even bigger impact than we'd hoped it would, and neighbors routinely stop to compliment us on the job. Johnny and his team were consistently on-time, thorough, and the final design is much better than the one we approached Johnny with. It's surprising how much more we enjoy our home now. We won't hesitate to call Johnny again when we decide to start the next stage of our landscaping, which, to me, is the ultimate vote of confidence. read more

We moved into our place in the summer of 2011 and knew we eventually wanted to work on our back yard. Over the following winter we learned that the yard was not graded properly and we had some drainage issues when 1/3 of the yard was one big puddle and water seeped into our downstairs area. Once the rainy season was over we began looking into companies that could correct the issues we had and do the back yard project at the same time. We had a few different landscape companies come and look at the yard, and while Bon Terra was not the cheapest (or most expensive) working with Johnny immediately made me comfortable and he drew up a ensign for the yard that fit what we wanted and made sense with our budget. Once work began his crews were on time each day and did fantastic work. Our yard transformed from a wasteland of weeds, Bermuda grass, and ugly hard scape into an eye pleasing blend of new hard scape, grass and wood chips. In total Bon Terra ripped out the old yard, destroyed the old hard scape, rebuilt a bunch of hard scape, put in drainage and irrigation and then put in a new yard. 6 months on from the work the yard looks great and with the rain we've had there has been zero puddling and the drainage works like a charm. I'd recommend Bon Terra to anyone looking for good quality work. Enjoyed working with Johnny and have recommended him to neighbors already. read more

If you're in the market for a solid landscape professional, Johnny is your guy: highly knowledgeable, passionate, great instincts, cost conscious, detail oriented, and reliably responsive. He also happens to be a delightful person whose integrity comes across within seconds of meeting him. I was truly sad when the time came for the Bon Terra crew to pack up after almost two weeks on the job. They had successfully navigated the intricacies of a blueprint design, drawn up by a friend (which added a collaborative component to the job) with great skill. In fact, Johnny provided a suggestion for improving upon my friend's choice of material for a pathway, which we all agreed was the perfect call. From start to end, they did a fantastic job. Our front yard is living testimony to a fun and collaborative process that Johnny brought to life. Bon Terra has my highest regard. I know their fan base must be growing like weeds! read more

Excellent guidance and work from Johnny and his team, and all within budget. Extremely professional and hard-working crew. Our project included terracing our down-sloping hill, installing veggie boxes, an arbor and perimeter fence, and soft scape landscaping in both the front and back yards. We couldn't be more pleased with the results. read more

We moved into our home six months ago and thought our mess of a backyard could wait. Fortunately for us, our two young boys proved us wrong and we found Johnny and Bon Terra! We did our homework and sought out four different companies with various quotes/ideas/personalities. It was easy to pick Bon Terra. Their warmth, sincerity, knowledge, communication, efficiency and professionalism made the choice simple. From there, our vision for a contemporary, kid-friendly and low maintenance backyard emerged. The backyard is awesome and our home has doubled in size. I'd recommend Bon Terra to anyone. We can't wait to call them back for phase II - our front yard! Thank you Bon Terra for making us feel at home in our new house. read more

Johnny Fort and his crew were timely, professional and very concerned with customer satisfaction. The job was completed ahead of schedule and I love my new landscaping! read more

For years, we had procrastinated replacing our drip irrigation and renewing the overall landscaping. Meeting Johnny made our decision easy to commit to a large project. Johnny's creatve ideas, his plant knowledge, his collaboratve stye, respectful and hardworking staff and his sense of humor resulted in an unique and lovely garden. It was a pleasure to have his team from December 2014 - January 2015. We actually missed them when the job was completed. read more

Had a couple bad experiences with other landscapers. Based on all 5* reviews for Johnny on Yelp and Marin Mommies, it was time to make a change for a large scale project in our front yard. I knew the first time I met Johnny it was one of the best decisions I've made. With past landscapers/contractors, I learned the hard way that the design itself is not the key to success for a project. Equally important, if not more critical, are problem solving skills, managing expectations, attention to detail, and working within a budget. Johnny is a master in all areas. Our project was very complex in size and scope involving retaining walls, new driveway, gate, drainage, lights, fencing, irrigation, deer proofing, and approvals from multiple neighbors with our bizarre property lines. Johnny and his team handled most of the tasks and served as the contractor on the jobs that needed to be subbed out. Everything was well thought out, unexpected issues were brought to my attention and resolved, and the project went about as smooth as you could imagine with all the parties involved. There was no nickel and diming- Johnny was always looking for ways to save money or reallocate to get more bang for the buck. Not to mention being open and flexible to my non-conventional, contemporary/tropical/eclectic tastes. We couldn't be happier with our new front yard Last but not least, Johnny and the team are great guys with the highest integrity. Really looking forward to having the Bon Terra team back in the coming months to redo our backyard! read more

Johnny with Bon Terra Landscapes is absolutely WONDERFUL! We had a last minute project that we needed done right away & wanted to stay within a specific budget. He went above & beyond to accommodate us & our yard looks amazing! We initially received an estimate from another company in Marin that was over two times the cost of what we paid Bon Terra... Not to mention the fact that Bon Terra did more work than that initial proposal from the other company. Their prices are incredibly fair and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a landscaper and not wanting to spend an absolute fortune. Thanks so much Bon Terra Landscapers! It was a pleasure working with you & we will definitely use your services again in the future! read more

I got 3 bids to refurbish a front yard for a rental property (previous tenant let it die!! and I ate the cost cause I'm a big push over). Johnny was in the middle. I picked him because his bid was so detailed right down to how many inches of mulch he'd install. You know how it goes with nebulous bids where then there's a fight about what they actually covered in the bid-and usually their line is "That's extra!". He got in there, got it done and got out. There was none of the old starting work for a half a day, leaving and who knows when they come back and the job takes weeks for what should be a couple days. He worked with my budget too to make it all work nicely. read more

Bon Terra helped us to expand our yard, build retaining walls, and place new plantings front and back. Attentive service. No drama. Reasonable rates. Very friendly. Very pleased with their work. read more

I recommend Johnny higly. He is talented, knowledgable, and such a pleasure to work with. You won't be disappointed with Bon Terra Landscapes. Thanks to fellow Yelpers as this site is where I found him. read more

We are thrilled with our recent landscape project that Johnny helped us with. After a large remodel project, both the front and back areas needed to be re-done. Johnny was great at giving ideas and reworking to fit our budget. He has a hard working team that get the job done quickly. We love the results and would use him again for future projects! read more

Johnny, Lisa, and their whole crew are amazing. Johnny is extremely courteous, kind, and just a fun guy to work with. The work of his team is top notch, completely professional and I felt so secure in their hands. They transformed our messy, unkempt back yard into a paradise. They stayed within budget and checked in with me every step of the way to make sure I was getting what I wanted. I will continue to work with them for anything to do with my home. Johnny is also a great source for other kinds of home help, he knows everyone in the area and has hooked me up with the best electrician and plumber around. A great and wonderful team, I can't over-emphasize the highest caliber of this business! read more

Bon Terra just finished our project and everything is wonderful. Johnny and his crew were extremely professional and all work was completed exactly as discussed. Johnny was willing to work within our budget and was very conscientious about costs. He advised us on what plants and shrubs to choose, and is very knowledgeable. He is planning on coming back later this week just to check on everything, even though the work is complete. I would highly recommend Johnny and his crew! read more

We've just worked with Johnny and his crew at Bon Terra Landscapes for the second time. They didn't let us down. A combination of great design, fast but careful implementation and a very collaborative attitude make this is a fantastic team, who take pride in their work and deliver great results. Johnny is super creative and knowledgeable and we would recommend him and his team without reservation. We feel lucky to have been able to work with him again. read more