Working Together
We view the relationships with our clients as partnerships. Our goal is to unite our talent and resources to bring your vision to life with an enjoyable and fulfilling process. We take seriously the trust that we are given to enhance a property and consider how we do our work as important as what we do. Whether we’re working off a set of architectural plans or providing the design, the method by which we engage each job is unique to the vision and requirements of our client.
Planning & Permitting
Gracefully moving through the permitting process is our goal. For the projects that require permitting, our team is well versed in the Santa Barbara City and County process. Our first step is to assemble the best team suited to your projects’ needs. We have long-term relationships with landscape architects, planners, engineers, geologists and trade subcontractors to streamline the process. Our goal is total efficiency and to have our clients involved as little as possible with the nuts and bolts of permitting.
ROM “Reality Check” & Value Engineering
Your dream landscape design should be married with your budgetary expectations early in the design process so that dream is achievable. We work with our residential landscape clients and Landscape Architects for ROM (Rough Order of Magnitude) estimates, which we call the “Reality Check.” Is the current design realistic within your financial expectations, or do we need to steer the design in a different direction to do so? We offer this service to our architectural partners to support a successful outcome during the conceptual design stage.
Value Engineering includes preserving the integrity and purpose of the ideal landscape design, while finding opportunities to do that for less money. We are well-versed in all landscape construction trades and provide architectural, engineering and design solutions to reduce the cost while preserving those elements fundamental to the design.
Transparent Estimating
Cornerstone Landscapes provides detailed, open-book estimates. Transparent estimating means all labor, material, and equipment costs are accounted for, justified, and available to the scrutiny of our clients. This makes for easy value engineering, clear and understandable billing, and allows us to create a reasonable construction schedule as soon as our estimating is complete. Our Chief Estimator, Marco Bruno has nearly twenty years of estimating experience and a full decade as Chief Estimator across the industry in both the commercial and residential landscape sectors.
Construction & Project Management
The construction process can be demanding, so we do everything possible to make it enjoyable. Communication is the key and one of our highest values. We provide our partners with responsive and attentive project managers, assuring the project is on time and on budget, and answering questions and concerns as they arise. Once we commence work, your project becomes our priority.
Our team uses CRM (customer relation management) software to track all communication efficiently and effectively and to upload weekly progress reports and photos. We employ Gantt charts and Critical Path Timelines when complex projects with multiple overlapping trades demand.
Most importantly, a friendly face is present daily on-site to oversee our crew and ensure efficient progress. Our staff are always courteous and responsive, and our Foremen are well versed in 100+ years of combined experience in everything from home construction, landscape construction, and horticulture.
Completion & Closeout
The last day of the project is an exciting one, and it is not our last day of work. Our completion process includes handing off critical documents, as-built plans, irrigation charts, and maintenance oversight. Our projects include a 30-day maintenance establishment budget (and when requested, 90 to 180 days). Within that time frame our goal is to oversee the successful establishment of turf, plants, and trees. Equally important, we help train existing or new maintenance staff to do the same. We partner with some of the best horticultural maintenance companies in Santa Barbara and gladly provide referrals for those clients that request.