Frequently Asked
Questions
Got questions about working with Colorado Native Landscapes & Design? You're in the right place. We've answered everything homeowners ask us most — organized by topic so you can find answers fast.
The easiest way is to book a free 15-minute consultation call through our Calendly link at the top of this page — or call us directly at (720) 326-5536. We'll schedule a time to visit your property in person, walk through your space and have an honest conversation about your vision and budget.
There's no pressure and no obligation. We want to earn your business — not take it.
Yes — always. Our team visits your property in person for every consultation. There's no way to properly understand your site conditions, sun exposure, soil type, drainage challenges and HOA requirements without seeing it with our own eyes.
We never quote a landscape project from photos or a phone call — that's how mistakes get made and clients get surprised.
Yes — completely free and no obligation. We visit your property, listen to your vision and give you our honest professional assessment of what's possible within your budget. You receive a written estimate at no charge.
We believe in earning your business through expertise and honesty — not pressure tactics or upfront fees.
Our scheduling varies by season — spring and early summer are our busiest times. We recommend reaching out 4–8 weeks before your desired start date to secure your spot on our schedule.
If you have a specific deadline — a party, home sale or HOA requirement — let us know during the consultation and we'll do our best to accommodate your timeline.
You don't need to prepare anything formal — just have some idea of what you're hoping to achieve. It helps to think about:
- What's bothering you about your current landscape
- How you want to use your outdoor space
- Your approximate budget range
- Your HOA requirements if applicable
- Photos of landscapes you love — Pinterest boards are great!
Our team is very good at helping clients figure out what they want even if they're not sure — don't worry if you don't have it all figured out.
After our property consultation, you'll typically receive a written estimate within 3–7 business days depending on project complexity. More complex multi-element projects with custom design work may take a little longer.
We never rush the estimate — accuracy matters more than speed. A proper estimate protects you as much as it protects us.
Yes — fully insured. Colorado Native Landscapes & Design carries full general liability and workers' compensation insurance. Your property and our crew are both protected on every project.
We are also BBB A+ accredited since 2021 and hold DBE, EBE, MWBE and SBE certifications. Documentation is available upon request.
Our projects range from $20,000 to $95,000+ depending on scope, materials and complexity. Here are some general ranges:
- Native plant & drought tolerant landscapes — from $15,000
- Paver patios & walkways — from $12,000
- Retaining walls — from $25,000
- Steel fencing & masonry — from $20,000
- Complete outdoor living systems — from $50,000
- Drainage & grading — from $8,000
During our free consultation we discuss your vision and budget honestly — and tell you exactly what's possible within your investment level.
Always — without exception. Every project starts with a written estimate that we commit to and honor. No surprise invoices at the end of your project. What we quote is what you pay.
This is one of the things our clients appreciate most — and one of the things that sets us apart from many other landscape companies.
Absolutely — phased planning is one of our specialties. We design your complete vision upfront, then build it in phases that respect your budget and timeline — starting with the highest-impact area first.
Most clients start with the front yard in year one and add the back yard or additional features the following season. Each phase is designed to look intentional and complete on its own — not like a half-finished project.
Our estimates include all labor, materials, equipment and cleanup unless specifically noted otherwise. Typical inclusions:
- All labor — our design expertise plus installation crew
- All specified materials — plants, pavers, stone, soil, mulch
- Equipment rental and delivery
- Site cleanup and debris removal
- Written care guide for your installation
- Post-completion follow-up visit
Permit costs are itemized separately when required — we handle the permit application process and include permit coordination in our scope.
Yes — we require a deposit to secure your place on our schedule and cover initial material purchases. Deposit amounts and payment schedules are outlined clearly in your written estimate before you commit to anything.
We discuss payment terms during the estimate process — we're flexible and want the financial side to be as straightforward as possible.
Yes — and we help you access them. Many Front Range water providers offer cash rebates for converting traditional turf to native plants, native grass or water-wise landscapes. Programs include:
- Resource Central — Garden In A Box program
- Denver Water — turf replacement rebates up to $2,000
- Arvada / Consolidated Mutual Water conservation rebates
- Boulder WaterSmart program
- Westminster and other municipal programs
We identify which programs you qualify for during the design process and help you apply — recovering some of your investment before installation even begins.
Project timelines vary significantly based on scope and complexity:
- Simple native planting or sod installation — 2–4 days
- Paver patio or walkway — 3–7 days
- Retaining wall — 3–10 days depending on size
- Complex multi-element project — 2–4 weeks
We discuss timeline upfront and commit to it. We communicate daily so you always know exactly where we are in the process.
We communicate with you every day throughout your project — by phone, text or email depending on your preference. You'll know what's happening, what's coming next and where things stand at all times.
Many of our clients say daily communication is the thing that surprised them most. They'd been burned before by contractors who disappeared mid-project. That doesn't happen here.
No — you don't need to be home. We've completed many projects while clients were traveling, at work or out of town. Our daily communication updates keep you informed regardless of where you are.
One Houzz reviewer noted she was gone for two full weeks during her project — and daily updates from our team meant she never worried about what was happening.
Colorado weather is unpredictable — we understand that. Weather delays are always communicated immediately and we work extra days when needed to stay on schedule. Several of our reviews mention crews working weekends to make up for weather delays.
If significant delays affect your timeline we discuss options proactively — never leaving you guessing.
When your project is complete you receive:
- Personal walkthrough with our team reviewing everything
- Written care guide specific to your plants and installation
- Watering schedules and maintenance instructions
- Plant identification information
- Any warranty documentation for materials
We also schedule a follow-up visit to check on plant establishment and make sure everything is performing as designed.
Yes — We personally follow up after every project. We check on plant establishment, make sure irrigation is performing correctly and address any questions or concerns. Several of our Google reviews specifically mention our team checking in months after project completion.
We don't disappear when the job is done. Our relationship with our clients doesn't end at project completion.
Colorado native plants are species that evolved naturally in Colorado's environment over thousands of years. They're perfectly adapted to our climate, soil conditions, elevation and rainfall patterns — meaning they thrive with minimal water and maintenance.
Benefits include up to 60% less water, virtually zero fertilizer needs, no seasonal replanting, wildlife habitat value and landscapes that look better every year as plants establish deeper roots.
Absolutely not — and this is one of the biggest misconceptions we encounter. True xeriscaping features wildflowers, ornamental grasses, native shrubs and perennials that provide color, texture and interest through every season.
Our xeriscape designs consistently become the most admired yards in their neighborhoods. The key is proper plant selection, good design and realistic expectations during the establishment period.
Most native plants establish fully within 1–2 growing seasons. During that first season, supplemental irrigation is important — we provide a detailed watering schedule specific to your installation.
After establishment, Colorado's natural rainfall is typically sufficient for most native species. The landscape actually continues to improve each year as plants fill in and develop deeper root systems.
Native grass — primarily buffalograss and blue grama — is Colorado's natural lawn alternative. It uses 25–75% less water than Kentucky bluegrass, requires much less mowing and has zero risk of winter kill.
It's best suited to properties with at least 6 hours of direct sun (most native grasses need full sun). For shaded areas we recommend fine fescue instead. We have a comprehensive native grass page on our website with a water savings calculator, seasonal maintenance calendar and species guide.
Yes — we design and install certified wildlife habitat gardens that qualify for National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Certified Wildlife Habitat status. These gardens provide the four essential elements wildlife need: food, water, cover and places to raise young.
We select plants specifically for their ecological function — which species attract hummingbirds, support monarch butterflies, feed songbirds and host pollinator communities. We also help you complete the NWF certification application.
Yes — we install premium artificial turf as part of complete landscape designs. We never use the word "synthetic" — we call it what it is: artificial turf.
The difference between a great artificial turf installation and a problematic one is almost entirely in the base preparation. We excavate properly, install the correct drainage base and use quality infill — ensuring your turf looks great and drains well for 15–20 years. We also offer pet-friendly options.
Yes — as part of complete outdoor living projects. We coordinate gas line installation, masonry work, outdoor kitchen construction and water feature installation through our vetted partner network. You deal with one company — we handle all the coordination.
Fire features extend your Colorado outdoor season from 3 months to 9 months. Outdoor kitchens dramatically increase how you use and enjoy your outdoor space. We design these elements as integrated parts of your complete landscape — not afterthoughts.
Yes — we prepare and submit complete HOA design packages on your behalf. We've been navigating Front Range HOA requirements for over 25 years and know what boards look for. We design to meet requirements from the start — most of our HOA submissions are approved the first time without revision requests.
You don't need to navigate the HOA process yourself. We handle it all.
Many Colorado HOAs now allow — and even encourage — native plant and xeriscape landscapes due to water conservation requirements and Colorado's 2021 HOA law changes. Education and outreach is critical — and we prepare complete packages that help boards approve these projects confidently.
We know which plant species are typically approved, how to present designs visually for board review and how to handle any concerns that come up during the approval process.
HOA approval timelines vary by community — typically 2–4 weeks for design review. Some HOAs meet monthly, others more frequently. We factor approval timeline into your overall project schedule.
Important tip: Start the HOA process early — especially if you want a spring installation. We recommend beginning HOA coordination in winter for spring projects.
Yes — we have a dedicated Property Manager Partner Portal on our website for HOA boards, property management companies and commercial property managers. We offer volume pricing for multi-property portfolios, priority scheduling for management company partners and board-ready presentation materials.
Contact us directly or visit our Property Manager Portal page to learn about our partnership programs.
Yes — we have extensive experience working with Resource Central and know the process well. Resource Central's turf replacement and Garden In A Box programs provide rebates for converting traditional turf to water-wise alternatives.
We help you navigate the application process, meet timeline requirements and design landscapes that qualify for available rebates. Several of our Houzz reviews specifically mention our Resource Central coordination.
The savings depend on what you're replacing and what you're installing — but the numbers are significant:
- Native plants vs Kentucky bluegrass — typically 40–60% water savings
- Buffalograss vs Kentucky bluegrass — up to 75% water savings
- Xeriscape vs traditional lawn — 50–75% water savings
- Drip irrigation upgrade — typically 30–50% additional savings
Our native grass page has an interactive water savings calculator where you can enter your lawn size and water bill to see your estimated annual and 5-year savings.
Several Front Range water providers offer rebates for turf conversion and water-wise landscaping:
- Resource Central — Garden In A Box and turf replacement programs
- Denver Water — turf replacement rebates up to $2,000
- Arvada / Consolidated Mutual Water — conservation rebates
- Boulder WaterSmart — some of the most generous rebates on the Front Range
- Westminster Water — turf conversion programs
We identify which programs you qualify for and help you apply — recovering some of your project investment before installation even begins.
Yes — both installation and assessment. We design and install drip irrigation and smart sprinkler systems that can cut your outdoor water waste by up to 50%. We also offer irrigation assessments for existing systems — identifying inefficiencies, broken heads, coverage gaps and outdated controllers.
One important note: native plants and native grasses need to be on separate irrigation zones from trees and shrubs — watered on a different schedule. We address irrigation zoning as part of every native plant project.
Watering needs vary by species and establishment stage:
- During establishment (year 1): More frequent watering — we provide a specific schedule
- Established native plants: Typically 1–2x per week during hot dry periods, minimal otherwise
- Established buffalograss: Once per week or less from May to October
- Established xeriscape: Colorado's natural rainfall is often sufficient
Every installation comes with a written watering schedule specific to your plant palette and irrigation system.
Little to none once established — this is one of the biggest advantages of native plants. They evolved in Colorado's naturally lean soils and are adapted to thriving without supplemental fertilization.
Excessive fertilizer on native plants can actually cause problems — encouraging excessive top growth at the expense of the deep root systems that give native plants their drought resilience. We include fertilization guidance in your written care guide specific to your installation.
We serve 20+ Front Range communities including:
- Arvada · Denver · Boulder · Littleton · Golden
- Westminster · Lakewood · Broomfield · Centennial
- Wheat Ridge · Edgewater · Lafayette · Greenwood Village
- Parker · Englewood · Highlands Ranch · Lone Tree
- Cherry Hills Village · Bow Mar · Castle Rock
If you don't see your community listed — call us at (720) 326-5536. We may still be able to help depending on your location.
Colorado Native Landscapes & Design is based in Arvada, Colorado and has been serving the Front Range from this location since 1999. Being locally based means we're familiar with the specific soil conditions, water restrictions, HOA requirements and neighborhood character across the entire region we serve.
Our primary service area is the Front Range corridor from Boulder in the north to Castle Rock in the south — including foothills communities like Golden, Morrison and Genesee. For properties significantly west of the foothills or at higher elevations, please call us to discuss your specific location.
Higher elevation properties have different plant requirements, shorter growing seasons and different soil conditions — we want to make sure we're the right fit before committing to a project.
For most Front Range communities within our standard service area there is no additional travel charge — travel time and distance are factored into our standard project pricing.
For locations at the edges of our service area or for unusually remote properties, we discuss any travel considerations during the initial consultation — always transparently and upfront.
Still have questions?
We'd love to hear from you.
Let’s talk about your
landscape project
Free consultation on your property. Written estimate. Daily communication throughout. 25 years of Front Range expertise. No pressure — ever.