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 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 talk through your project — your vision, your property, and your budget — and map out the right next step together.
There's no pressure and no obligation. We want to earn your business — not take it.
Plan on two to four weeks, sometimes more. Every design is scoped to your property, and timelines shift with the season and the size of the project.
You’ll get a realistic timeline when we talk — so you know exactly what to expect before we begin.
Completely free, with no obligation. We listen to your vision and give you an honest professional read on what is possible within your budget.
We earn your business through expertise and honesty, never pressure.
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.
We work year-round. Much of our planning happens in the fall for the next season, and winter is prime time for design work — so the earlier you start the conversation, the better your build slot. Construction continues through the seasons whenever Colorado weather allows.
If you have a specific deadline — a party, home sale or HOA requirement — let us know during the first visit 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.
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.
Documentation is available upon request.
Look past the portfolio and ask how they build. You want one accountable team from design through construction, an owner you can reach on site, proof of licensing and insurance, reviews that mention the same crew finishing what they started, and a written scope specific enough that you could hand it to another builder and get the same project. If a company cannot explain its process in plain language, keep looking.
Pressure is a red flag, not a sales technique. Signing-day discounts and expiring prices exist to stop you from comparing. A builder who is confident in the work will let the documented scope speak for itself and give you room to decide. Our process is deliberately unhurried: a conversation, a discovery walk of your property, then documented pricing you can sit with. We honor what we document, so nothing expires at midnight.
Everything should be in writing before you sign: materials by name, dimensions, site preparation, drainage, what happens to your irrigation, and what is excluded. If it is not documented, it is not included — no matter what was said on the walk-through. That is why we put the full scope on paper during our documented-pricing step and honor it through the build.
The parts you never see decide how long a project lasts: excavation to the right depth, compacted structural base under patios and walls, footings under pillars, drainage that moves water away from your foundation, and irrigation reworked to match the new plan rather than patched around it. Ask every bidder to walk you through what is under their surfaces. The answers separate builders from installers.
Because the projects are different, even when the drawings look alike. One bid includes eight inches of compacted road base; another sets pavers on two inches of sand. One carries licensed crews, insurance, and a warranty; another subs the work out to whoever is available that week. Variable prices usually mean variable scope — compare what is documented line by line, not the number at the bottom.
Grade and drainage first — where water goes decides what we can build and what will last. Then sun and shade through the day, soil condition, how the irrigation covers or misses the space, sight lines from inside the house, and how you actually want to live out there: where you would gather, cook, and sit in October. The design comes from what the land and your family both tell us.
Yes — and it should be. Irrigation is evaluated during the discovery walk and rebuilt as part of the design: zones matched to what is actually planted, head-to-head coverage where turf stays, and drip to the planting beds. Patching old lines around new construction is how systems stay broken, so we rework them until the new landscape is watered the way it is planted.
You do not need a plan to call us — that is our job. It starts with a free call, then a discovery walk where we read the property together and talk about how you want to use it. From there we move into design, and you see the thinking before you commit to anything. Most clients begin with nothing more than a feeling that what is out there is not working.
Good — neither do we. Replacing turf does not have to mean gravel. We design layered, water-wise plantings: trees and shrubs for structure, with perennials and ground covers that fill in over the years and shrink the mulch between them each season. You keep turf where it earns its place and trade the rest for a landscape that gets fuller, not grayer.
Our work is design-led and built as a complete scope. Elements like native plantings are part of a larger project rather than stand-alone services — that’s how we make sure every piece works with your property as a whole.
Starting smaller? Our landscape design & consulting services are the right first step.
Project timelines vary significantly based on scope and complexity:
- Simple native planting or sod installation — 2–4 days
- Paver patio or walkway — 3–30 days depending on size
- Retaining wall — 3–30 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.
The one thing we ask: if decisions will need to be made mid-project, we make them together before you leave — and for more complex projects, we can schedule that phase for a time when you're back in town.
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 do — we follow up after every project, usually within two to four weeks. 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. And for landscapes we've built, we also offer monthly care services if you'd like ongoing help.
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 — we design and build these as one integrated project. We personally handle the masonry for outdoor kitchens, fire features and water features — unless the fire feature is part of a prefabricated package. Where gas lines, high-voltage electrical, permitting or engineering are required, we coordinate all of it. You deal with one company.
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:
- Arvada — Garden In A Box, lawn replacement & sprinkler evaluations via Resource Central
- Superior — Water Efficiency Rebate Program
- Lafayette — Outdoor Water Efficiency Rebates
- Littleton — Water Conservation Program with lawn-replacement discounts
- Centennial (ACWWA) — water efficiency programs for Arapahoe County customers
- Denver Water — turf replacement rebates
- Resource Central — Garden In A Box & Lawn Replacement across the Front Range
We identify which programs you qualify for and help you apply — recovering some of your project investment before installation even begins.
Yes — both. We design and install new irrigation systems, and we assess and repair existing ones — finding inefficiencies, broken heads, coverage gaps and outdated controllers. The smart drip and sprinkler systems we install can cut outdoor water waste by up to 50%.
All of them — from city water to well systems. Wells and cisterns, pump relays, indoor and outdoor clocks, ET (weather-based) controllers, and smart controllers from Rachio, Hunter and Rain Bird.
Drip zones, spray zones, rotors — if it moves water through your landscape, we install, maintain and repair it.
Yes — irrigation is designed into every project from the start, not added at the end. Zones, coverage and the controller are part of the landscape design itself.
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.
Start at the point of connection and follow the water. A well-designed, properly maintained irrigation system is the lifeblood of most landscapes. Every system is a chain of components that starts at the main point of connection (POC) and usually ends at a sprinkler head nozzle — with backflow prevention, valves, zone wiring, drip lines and the controller in between.
Knowing each of those components is essential to properly maintaining and repairing a system — and it's the knowledge we bring to every assessment and repair.
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 visit — always transparently and upfront.
Still have questions?
We'd love to hear from you.
Let’s talk about your
landscape project
Free call. Daily communication throughout. Owner-led, with 25+ years of hands-on landscape experience. No pressure — ever.