We've had Arroyo's Gardening/Landscape perform 3 different jobs and are very happy with everything…read morethey've done so far. #1 Dig out a large tree stump in our ugly bkyd. #2 Level and replace dead & weed-filled lawn with new sod for our small front lawn. #3 Landscape our backyard.
Our large oddly pie shaped backyard needed landscaping *BAD*. (6k sq ft I think) I called several landscape and gardening services and acquired many quotes. However, from the beginning, Victor and Juan Arroyo were friendly, professional, straight-forward (which is refreshing than the usual "yes" response you get) and had many helpful and creative ideas for our "back-40"
Though we couldn't afford a $50k remodel (and that is NOT what was quoted us, but if you've ever watched those home improvement shows with a yard as large as ours that's about what it would cost)
*Most of the quotes came in at $12 to $18K so we decided to go with Arroyo's Landscape and Gardening and are glad we did! We went simple, and middle of the road in cost (Under $12K). Here's what we decided to have done:
1. Replace our 20yr crumbling yet existing wood retaining wall all along our property fence line with a new one in treated redwood (it's beautiful) with a ledge so you can sit on it. LOVE IT!!!
2. Level the inside yard ground. (Our lot is on a slope (yes even in a cul de sac) and two of our back fence neighbors yards are higher than ours hence the retaining wall, but the rest of the yard itself was still sloped and not in a good way).
3. Input sprinkler system with auto/manual control. Including balanced pressure.
4. Side cement walkway between house and part of yard was uneven and too low, so it was cracked out, leveled with the rest of the area, and re-cemented. Victor did a great job! (wasn't in original quote so we did have to pay for labor & material, but it made a big difference)
5. Lay sod. Now, if any of you are from the South or have been there, you *know* what beautiful grass they have. I know Calif. is a water efficient State, but I see a large # of ppl *wasting* water daily letting their hose run into the gutter while they wash their driveways, cars, and sidewalks. GET A BROOM! (go to a car wash and use recycled water!) Sorry I couldn't help myself. Anyhow, Arroyo's got us partial calif. drought resistant, and BLUE grass! LOVE IT!!!
6. Do something with the area behind our large shed that is against one perimeter fence, and near a part of the back fence. So they laid weed protection plastic and red bark which looks really nice. This serves two functions. 1st, to catch any water runoff from rain, and 2nd, to make it aesthetically pleasing. I do *not* like gravel or any kind of rock, so Victor's suggestion of the bark was really great! LOVE IT!!!
7. Flagstone stepping stones. Yeah-Yeah-Yeah, I know what I said about rock and gravel and it's true -YUCK- Flagstone is different by far! We just didn't know what to do about the other small part of the back, so we've left it for now. However there needed to be a transition from the beautiful grass line towards the ugly un-landscaped area. Juan suggested stepping stones. At first I couldn't see it, but living in MI for a few yrs, I remembered how beautiful the stone colors were. Blue, purple, orange, gray, hues in the stone and thought WOW it would really be beautiful. So we priced it out and (SHOUT OUT to U-Save Rockery in SJ) BAM! Victor did it all by hand himself! It looks "MAHVALUS" darlings! LOVE IT!!!
8. CLAEN-UP!!! We had so much trash and crap not to mention all the yard waste and it was all included in the price. They did a FABULOUS and professional job! So not only is the backyard itself beautiful but our patio and space on either side of the house is CLEAN too! LOVE IT!!!
I've added some before and after pic's, but it does NOT compare to seeing it in person. While we still have a lot of planting to do (once we save up for it again) what we have now is the beginning of our Dream Backyard! We really can't say enough about how great it was working with the Arroyo's, and also have them come by bi-monthly for front and back yard maintenance.
They've been really great about the service and care of our yards. Give them a call if you need a one-tine yard fix-up, a weekly/bi-monthly yard maintenance, or any size landscape remodel. They also do fencing, tree service/maintenance and masonry.
SHOUT-OUT to Victor and Juan Arroyo GREAT BIG HUGS, and thank you for making our backyard a place our family can now make many happy memories!
P.S. I noticed they're having some website difficulties, so please don't let that steer you away from what great work they do. Give them a call.