Rated 4.1 / 5 from 29 reviews
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CAL Landscaping A full service landscape design and construction company, CAL Landscaping builds quality, cost-effective custom landscapes and Hardscape Design for clients throughout the bay area including the greater San Jose area, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Los Altos, Mountain View, Mid Peninsula area (Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Mateo, San Bruno, Redwood city, Burlingame), Fremont, Union City, Hayward, Morgan Hill and Gilroy.

Cal Landscaping designs and integrates the hardscape design (walkways, garden paths, driveway, patios and edging) with the softscape (plants, sod, irrigation, drainage.) and the additional features such as (decks, pergolas, retaining walls, sitting walls and water features) for your front and back yard projects.
Services
Concept & Design
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CAL Landscaping provides creative, comprehensive design services drawing from extensive experience in the Bay Area and the individual goals of each client. Our design team works directly with you to craft a landscaping solution that best meets your needs and personal taste.
Installation
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Sod, Irregation, Planting and Removal Water Features Walkways, Driveways, and Patios Retaining Walls Edging (KwikKerb) Decks and Pergolas Outdoor lighting Planting Planting of Trees.
Landscaping
Report
CAL Landscaping is a licensed California landscape contractor providing Quality Landscaping Services in the bay area. CAL Landscaping is a full service company from design to installation. We offer curb appeal landscaping providing new design and installation or renovation of residential and commercial landscaping.
Reviews (29)
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Becky S.
Jan 09, 2022
We write reviews, promote your companies Real people accounts until 2020, we use one IP for one review. Client confidentiality is guaranteed. If a review is not recommended, we will replace it free of charge. Contact hd353414@gmail.com Services Reviews/Yelp/Googl/Facebook. 10 Yelp reviews = $ 350 10 Google reviews = $ 350 20 Yelp reviews = $ 600 20 Google reviews = $ 600 50 Yelp reviews = $ 1,500 50googl review = $ 1,500 1Yelp Elite Review=$1500 10 Facebook Review = $ 200 It is also possible to sell accounts Contact hd353414@gmail.com
Jacqueline Mardell
Mar 04, 2021
Positives: The quality of the work is very high, and the crew are very skilled, hardworking, and did a good job of tidying up each day to keep the dust down. The drawing and estimate package are done on spec before you award the contract, although the customer is asked to give a ballpark budget. There are no line item prices for any of the plants or other components of the job, either in the bid or the invoices, so it is impossible to audit and hold accountable, but the final, total price was more or less in line with other yard jobs in the neighborhood.

The final work looks very, very good. When the water to the new tree was not working, they came back out and worked on it till it was fixed. Worth noting: communication can be a bit tricky. Be persistent. I didn't take off stars for that because the work was professional and done well. The owners themselves are very responsive.
Scott D.
Mar 03, 2021
CAL Landscaping just completed a new drought-tolerant, low-maintenance front yard project for us in Sunnyvale. I found out about CAL based on some good work they did down the street. Norm, Randy, Alex, and the team were great to work with. They owned the full project from the initial drawings to the final plants and irrigation system. Their team was efficient and professional.

My only small "complaint" would be for them to set better expectations on when they would and would not be working at my house, but overall the full project was done in under two weeks. The front yard is transformed and my wife and I are getting compliments from our neighbors! p.s. My sister, who is a California certified Master Gardener, thought Norm made some excellent plant selections.
DeDe R.
Feb 17, 2021
Amazing! They were great to work with. Norm was very flexible with the design. Alex and his crew were professional, friendly, responsive, reliable and responsible. Our front yard went from ugly, to a beautifully designed drought tolerant interesting front yard. We couldn't have been happier with the entire process, start to finish. We get compliments from people walking by when we sit out on the beautiful patio.

The driveway is so pretty. Everything flows perfectly. It started in July, finished in August. In 5 months, the plants are growing in beautifully. Cal Landscaping did an amazing job from start to finish. We would hire them again in a heartbeat.
Jhon K.
Dec 28, 2020
Performed an entire gutting of front and back yards. Did a great job with pavers and front drought tolerant landscaping. Norm, Randy and Alex were terrific to with. Entire project took about 4.5 weeks. See pictures. We re very happy with the professional work, commitment, and attention to details. My little one loves all the space now.
Madhavi Madeti
May 07, 2020
Cancelled appointment last moment saying they forgot that there was some other seminar or program. The lady who called behaved as if it is my fault. Not sure if they are genuinely interested in getting business.
Mz S.
Feb 05, 2020
BAD experience and DISAPPOINTING results. We wanted a simple, low maintenance yard. We paid over $60K for landscaping that has cheap materials, dead plants (we started with 16 and 3 died almost immediately) and weeds. For the amount we paid, you would think that we would at least have living plants and I wouldn't have to go pull weeds every day (which I was trying to avoid). FYI.

Read the older reviews on yelp, they seem more accurate for this company. Here is a list of (hopefully) helpful tips: DO NOT USE if you want to make any decisions or need flexibility. If you have any ideas or suggestions, Norm will not listen to them or forget. If you change your mind on anything, even if it is small, then expect to pay a premium for it. Norm does NOT like changes. DO NOT USE if you need to get things done on a schedule/timeline.

He will promise to be on time but then there will be delays. He is very timely on asking for money though. DO NOT USE if you require approval from the city. He will use sub-contractors that are not licensed or do not know CA codes and is still expensive. We paid thousands of dollars for a shoddy looking deck that had to be remade because it was not to code. DO NOT USE if you are concerned about money.

They are not cheap despite the lack of service and quality. USE if you don't mind poor quality or dead plants. You will pay a lot and they will provide the cheapest, smallest plants available. USE if you want a weed barrier that allows weeds to grow within months. USE if you want gold fine that is not compacted properly, changes color and has weeds. USE if you want a cheap thin layer of mulch that loses color quickly. USE if you want to be talked down to, are ok with poor customer service, and want no follow up. USE if you want to spend a lot of money and are not concerned with the final results.

Final Note- Norm is often at the Home show in San Jose. Don't let that fool you into thinking he is a good landscape contractor. Anyone who pays can have a booth. That is where we found him. We would not have used his company if there had been any other options at that time. If anyone runs into this situation, please just wait for a better landscaper than use this company.
Antonio A.
Sep 27, 2019
They really transformed my yard and you to a easy maintenance landscape. They found fixes that in the drainage and told me a full detail and we agreed on a fair price.
Dorian M.
Aug 23, 2019
We had our home landscaped about 4 summers ago. It's grown well, the design is pleasing, and we have had no regrets. Norm was pretty responsive at the time to changes and adaptations. I remember feeling a bit ( ok, more than a bit ) frustrated by growing cost increments that landed our project probably 30% more than we had really planned. And, I was a bit annoyed that some of the cost cutting on the cheaper items, the plants.

On the otherhand, we generally ended up with work we admire. The paving contractors did particularly awesome work on the drive way and patio. The plants that Norm chose have grown are so much more colorful and attractive than the lawn they replaced. We are set to recommend him to our neighbors.
Autumn A.
May 14, 2018
We are very happy with our new front yard and driveway, walkway, and patio pavers! Everyone in the company, from Norm the owner, to the design assistant, the onsite project manager, and the hardworking crew did a super job. The work was done quickly and professionally, and the new drought tolerant garden with dry creek bed has transformed our front yard into a relaxing oasis. My husband and I couldn't be happier!
B. O.
Apr 14, 2018
Very happy with their work! Great crew. My backyard looks beautiful and is now enjoyed by the whole family.
Mike Y.
Mar 12, 2018
I used CAL Landscaping for my front yard in 2013. I eliminated approximately 65% of my grass, and a very unmanageable hedge. I kept some grass, and low maintenance, drought tolerant plants. The job that CAL did was so positive that I had them do my back yard in 2017. Again, got rid of 75% of the grass, and hopefully got rid of a vole problem. You can use Google Maps to see before and after overhead views, plus what is attached here. Crews clean, hard working, polite, and accommodating.

They take pride in their work, and it shows. BACK YARD 2017 - We were ridden with voles, which killed the small lawn that we had. We wanted a bit of grass - maybe of what we had - but not food for voles. Norm suggested pavers, within in a kind of '8' shaped pattern. Again, we got Alex the foreman, and were very happy with the result. The pavers in the photo used to be grass, and I will not need nearly as much water now.
Sarah C.
Mar 04, 2018
Norm Ugai is knowledgeable, listens well and designs to your budget. I had his crew update the look of my backyard a few years ago. We reduced the size of the lawn, removed old concrete, installed pavers and an automatic watering system. We love spending time in our backyard! The most recent project in December 2017 was updating the look of my front porch by installing slate tiles over the concrete. I love the new look! All of the crew members are honest and hard working. They are skilled in their craft and respect their clients.
Dwight F.
Mar 08, 2017
Norm and his crew did an outstanding total landscape of our front yard. We wanted both a drought resist yard as well as low maintenance. After 40 years of cutting grass on the old lawn I no longer wanted to do that anymore. Norm presented a professional proposal complete with a total lay out and color pictures of the plants to be planted. We agreed to the proposal and 3 months later the job was started on the date agreed to.

The crew that did the work was very professional and through. The job was done in a timely manner with all questions answered and a complete clean up. We have received many compliments on the yard.
William R.
Apr 16, 2016
We really like how our new yard looks and the greatly reduced water usage. Norm was very pleasant to work with from start to finish. He met with us initially to scope out the yard and discuss our wants and options. He came by a few weeks later to share the design he had prepared. After a few minor changes we agreed to, the work commenced and was quickly completed. We are very happy with our beautiful yard.
Paul W.
Feb 01, 2016
Norm and his crew lead by Alex helped transform our browning lawn to a beautiful drought-tolerant landscape. We contacted him in May, got designs, contracted him in June, and scheduled the work in October, which was the earliest time he could do it. We sort of knew what we wanted by taking time to look around, speak with other landscapers, and recognizing there's only so much you can do with a simple Sunnyvale lot.

He quickly provided designs with photos for us of plants that he was recommending. We changed it somewhat, but he always was quick on the revise along with re-calculations. He always informed us of when they'd start, delays in scheduling, etc. and always followed up with requests, changes, etc. He's a phone person, and doesn't seem to want to rely on emails and texts.

But he always followed up and guaranteed the plants and willing to add goldfine ground fill or bark mulch if needed. We are planning further remodel to the house the will entail landscaping and definitely have Norm design and bid on that when we get around to it. if you call, let him know that Paul & Chris referred you. Good luck.
Peter Lee
Dec 27, 2015
Norm is an expert when it comes to designing and installing landscape. He listens and comes up with great ideas to make your home look fantastic. He is down to earth and not pushy with anything. You will really like his approach to making your dream home come true.
Peter Lee
Nov 04, 2015
Norm is an expert when it comes to designing and installing landscape. He listens and comes up with great ideas to make your home look fantastic. He is down to earth and not pushy with anything. You will really like his approach to making your dream home come true.
Yvonne Kendall
Sep 18, 2015
CAL Landscaping did a great job for us in our side yard. They dug out all of the old redwood bark and created a gravel area for our dogs and a new bbq patio for us. He used crushed granite around Adobe colored slabs of stone to match our deck.
Das L.
Sep 18, 2015
Lastly, but not the least, DON'T expect any After Sale Services, because there's NONE! We had problems with their work afterwards. We called many times with no response and when we finally got Norman, the Owner who designed and supervised the work, he then said it's NOT his problems and he won't fix it. Very disappointed with the job, service and attitude!
Katherine H.
Sep 24, 2014
Cal Landscaping improved the value of our home. We wanted to sell our house, but we knew the outside looked dated and lacked curb appeal. I met Norm at the home and garden show and he came to the house to do a free estimate. He took measurements and came back a week later with a plan that fit our budget. Some landscapers charge hundreds of dollars for a design, but Norm created our plan for free. Norm's crew of workers are all hardworking and professional.

They installed a new driveway, walkways, edging, new sod with automatic irrigation, etc. We were so happy with the front yard that we hired him to come back and update the backyard right before we listed the house. We had a big turnout at the open house and sold the house above asking price!
Lance B.
Nov 18, 2013
Cal Landscaping did a wonderful job with our total redo of our front yard. We met Norm at a home show and we're interested in his pitch about designing a landscape to our budget. He came by our home, looked at what we had and asked what we had to spend, then what did we want to accomplish with the new yard. It was great discussing what we thought we wanted to do and how we'd use the space. Norm came back with a fairly detailed plan on what we could do with our yard at the amount of money we wanted to spend. With a few tweaks we came to an agreement and his crew went to work a few days later. Good job Cal Landscaping!
Eric C.
Nov 01, 2013
I needed somebody to dig trenches and run drainage lines to tie into my gutter downspouts around my house. Norm was very professional and courteous in his consultation visit. They were not the lowest bid but I went with them because I thought they would do a better job. He took the time to have all the water, sewer, gas, and electrical lines coming through my yard marked. However, when it came time to do the job, his crew did not show up on time.

In fact they were a day late. It was suppose to take them 1 day but it ended up taking them 3 days spread out over a 5 day period. They kind of randomly showed up during that 5 day period. They were obviously working other jobs in conjunction with mine. Then they decided that they could not run the drainage lines the way we had discussed in the plans so they ran them around the house the opposite way.

One line they ran right next to my driveway and near some stumps I need to remove making it nearly impossible to remove those stumps. To top it off, after taking all the time to have the lines marked, they ended up digging a trench DIRECTLY in front of my water meter. Of course they hit the main water line shooting mud and rocks all over my neighbors car.

It was shocking that they would even try to dig a trench there and even more shocking that they weren't careful enough around the water meter. My neighbor got mad at them and all they said was that it was an accident. They barely apologized to him for getting mud and rocks on his car. Fortunately it was not damaged. When I spoke to Norm about it he barely apologized to me and he told me it was only water and not mud and rocks but I saw the mud on his car myself when he was cleaning it.

To their credit, they had a plumber come and fix it the same day. Also, I found that they left trash, including parts of a pipe in my backyard. They tore up some concrete in my yard to run the trenches but did not haul it away and simply left it in the backyard for me to deal with. Then he was adamant about getting a check the day they completed and no later.

They ran water through the pipes and it seems like they work. I will find out this winter when it rains. Overall, they were unprofessional and not very good for the price they charge. Running simple drainage pipes turned into a 5 day project that was a borderline disaster. I would never use them again.
Lance B.
Feb 11, 2013
Cal Landscaping did a wonderful job with our total redo of our front yard. We met Norm at a home show and we're interested in his pitch about designing a landscape to our budget. He came by our home, looked at what we had and asked what we had to spend, then what did we want to accomplish with the new yard.
L. B.
Jan 29, 2013
I met Norm at a home and garden show last year, what intrigued me about his pitch is that he would create a plan for my landscape that fit my budget. I had several local san jose landscapers out and all of them asked me what I wanted done and told me what it would cost. So Cal Landscaping showed up at my house, they listened to what I wanted done and how much I could afford.

They came back with a beautiful design plan the showed what was possible for the amount of money I had. The finished work was a huge upgrade to the curb appeal of my home and I appreciate the hard working friendly crew. Norm the owner really seemed to want to deliver the best yard possible under my constraints, they even did a few extra things I didn't expect. which were a very nice surprise. He's also a straight shooter and will tell you like it is, which I personally like, while I know others may be uncomfortable with his straight approach.

One of the neat things they did was garden and lawn borders with a cool curb laying tool, really fun to watch and man was it a lot cheaper than what I was quoted for brick or handformed concrete. I suggest you check Cal landscaping out and give them an opportunity to show you what they can do in your yard based on your budget.
Yvonne K.
Jan 29, 2013
My husband and I just moved in to an older home in Campbell and our front and back yards were a mess - way overgrown and tan bark in excess. I asked Norm to make some suggestions that I could work with in my budget and complete in stages. He was very thoughtful about my dog area and we discussed several types of ground cover before settling on smooth pea gravel.

I had really wanted the fake dog grass, but he had a working knowledge that my Web research had not uncovered. I feel like he helped me dodge a bullet. Also, because of the age of my home (nearly 100 years), he had some nice ideas about integrating red adobe-colored sandstone stepping stones with the original brickwork around my house - a blending of the original and more modern.

He used crushed granite for our patio and our next plan will be to replace our current concrete paths at the front of the house to the back patio for a more integrated outdoor entertaining environment. He also did some small stuff that most landscapeers won't do, like capping off some of my sprinkler heads and checking my entire drip system, which is extensive. I highly recommend Norm and will be using his services for our next phase.
Karen M.
May 25, 2012
We didn't actually use Cal Landscaping but after meeting Norm at the home show, he came over to give us an estimate on a retaining wall and additional landscaping for our front yard. He was quite rude and derogatory about our existing landscaping, much of which we wished to preserve. His method of giving us an estimate was also strange - he kept saying "tell me what you want to spend and I'll tell you what you can have." We kept telling him what we wanted and asking him what it would cost.

In the end he left, promising to give us an estimate in "a week or two" and never got back to us. Even if he had given us an estimate I don't think I would have used him. He seems like a person who would be very hard to work with.
Elizabeth L.
May 10, 2012
We are very pleased with Norm's completed service, thrilled actually. My husband and I live in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose. We met Norm at the San Jose Home Show in March and had him give us a bid. We also met with a second full service landscaper during the bid process and quickly decided on Norm. Norm did a beautiful job of a complete backyard makeover - irrigation, sod, treees, plantings, curved stone walls for seating (our favorite feature!), lawn edging, two flagstone sitting areas, and walkways.

We have a neighbor's pine tree dropping pine needles on a portion of our yard and Norm was creative in planting here and also created a sitting area there to take advantage of the shade. Norm's workers kept the yard and driveway clean / clear during the 4 week demo and installation, kept to their time estimate, and were respectful of our work schedule and our pet dogs' use of the yard.

The entire process went smoothly and as promised, it looks like the schematic he provided with the bid, and Norm always answered his phone and responeded promptly to our e-mails. Overall we are impressed with the beauty of the design and are complete satisfied with his professionalism during the installation. We have not sat in that backyard during the first 10 years we lived in this house and since Norm finished the remodel, we sit there every evening with our pet dog. Thanks Norm, for the first time in 10 years, Pepper loves rolling around on the lawn :-) regards, Elizabeth & Kevin
M. L.
Feb 22, 2012
I would highly recommend NOT using this landscaper and company. My husband and I met Norm at a Home and Garden Show in San Jose and after he came out with a proposed design and bid, which seemed reasonable, we signed the contract. (Like the other reviewer, Greg A. said, that was our first mistake.) Our front yard is fairly small and he said would take about 2 weeks to complete, WRONG!

It has now been over one month since it started and it is still incomplete! Also like the other reviewer said, Norm is extremely vague about exact dates, however, he is not shy about asking for progress payments. In fact, Norm is extremely rude and will harass you about getting his payments even before there has been any work done on the project. He is also extremely unprofessional in that: 1.

His excuse for not having exact dates - "I reserve the right to come and go as I please." What kind of business does that? 2. When I called Norm to ask when his crew will show up to work on this project, instead of giving me an answer, he makes demands on getting his progress payments. He's like: "You owe me $$$' 3. When his foreman, Alex, was working on my project, Norm calls me to tell me to get Alex to call him back.

What am I, your secretary?! 4. Norm calls me to let me know his crew will arrive the next day to finish the job. Guess what? Nobody shows up! Norm is too busy starting / scheduling jobs but not finishing them. Instead, he harasses his customers to make payments and then holds your money hostage while he spends it on starting other jobs. All in all, DON"T use this landscaping company. You'll end up regretting your decision like I did.