Frequently asked questions

Herencia Landscaping has been serving homeowners across Los Angeles and Orange County since 2018, but our roots in the industry go back over 60 years. Alejandra's grandfather started a landscaping company in Los Angeles in the 1970s, her father carried it forward for decades, and today she and Jonathan are building the next chapter of that legacy.

Yes, fully. We hold a California contractor's license, and Herencia Landscaping carries full liability insurance on every project. You can hire us with complete confidence that your home and investment are protected.

We're a design-build company, not just a crew you hire to execute a plan. We bring a signature aesthetic, deep expertise in California native and drought-tolerant design, and a level of communication and care that our clients consistently say they've never experienced with a contractor before. We treat every project like it's our own home, because that's the only way we know how to work.

We do not offer maintenance at Herencia, but we have trusted maintenance companies we love to refer our clients to. When the time comes, we'll be happy to make those connections for you.

We serve homeowners across Los Angeles and Orange County, with a primary focus on the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding communities — including Pasadena, Arcadia, and La Cañada Flintridge — as well as Yorba Linda, and Brea in Orange County. Not sure if we cover your area? Reach out and we'll let you know right away.

Your first call with us is always free. From there, an on-site consultation is $150 — a paid visit where Jonathan comes to your property, assesses the space, and gathers everything needed to build your custom design and proposal. It's the essential first step toward getting your project right.

The best thing you can do is come with a sense of how you want to feel in your space. If you have inspiration photos, a Pinterest board, or ideas you've been collecting, bring them. Everything else, we'll figure out together.

We specialize in full outdoor living transformations — complete design-build projects where we can really bring a vision to life from start to finish. Our projects typically start at $25,000, which reflects the scope, materials, and intention we bring to every job. If you're not sure whether your project is the right fit, reach out and we'll be happy to have an honest conversation about what makes sense.

The short answer is yes — we're happy to work with clients who come to us with an existing design, and we also offer standalone design services for those who aren't ready to commit to a full build. That said, in our experience, the best projects happen when one team carries the vision from concept to completion. When we design and build together, nothing gets lost in translation — the space you see on paper is the space you get in real life.

Yes. Jonathan leads every build personally, supported by a dedicated crew that stays with your project until it's complete. You'll always know who's on your property and who to talk to. We have a dedicated group chat for your project and you'll receive login instructions for your personalized client portal.

From day one, you'll be added to a dedicated project group chat where Jonathan shares daily progress updates, photos, and answers any questions in real time. Alejandra is also available for any administrative or scheduling needs throughout. Transparency and communication are core values at Herencia — something our clients have loved about working with us.

Any changes to scope are communicated openly and transparently before we move forward, so you're never surprised by the impact on timeline or budget. Our clients never feel blindsided. That's a promise.

For most standard landscape and outdoor living projects — including planting, irrigation, grading, and hardscaping — permits are not required. However, there are a few situations where permitting does come into play: significant retaining walls, major changes to your property's grade, structures attached to your home, or outdoor kitchens that require running gas or sewer lines. If you're not sure whether your project falls into one of those categories, we'll walk you through everything during your on-site consultation.

Our projects typically start at $25,000 for smaller transformations and grow from there depending on scope, materials, and features. Front yard refreshes typically start in the $25,000 to $30,000 range. Complete backyard transformations with pergolas, outdoor kitchens, native gardens, water features, and lighting typically range from $75,000 to $150,000. We're always upfront about investment from the very first conversation — no surprises, no blindsides.

Most designs are completed within two to three weeks of the on-site consultation, depending on the scope and complexity of the project. For larger projects with a full 3D rendering, allow a little additional time to make sure every detail is right.

A 2D CAD design is a precise overhead plan of your space, showing layout, dimensions, plant placement, and materials. A 3D rendering takes it further, giving you a photorealistic visualization of your finished yard so you can see exactly how it will look before we build. Most clients who choose the 3D option are very happy with the choice because it removes all the guesswork and gives everyone complete confidence before breaking ground.

For most residential landscape and outdoor living projects, a landscape designer is all you need. A landscape architect is typically required for new construction, significant structural changes like major retaining walls, or projects that need to go through a formal permitting process. If you aren't sure what your project needs, we'll let you know at the on-site consultation.

Yes — if you already have a trusted contractor and just need the design, we're happy to help. That said, our clients who choose Herencia for the full design-build experience consistently tell us it was the best decision they made. When the team that designs your space is the same team that builds it, nothing gets lost in translation — and the result shows.

Absolutely. Many of our clients choose to design both spaces together so the aesthetic flows seamlessly from the street to the backyard. We'll quote the front and back independently so you can choose to do both at once or phase the project over time.

That's exactly what the design review is for. We walk through every detail together and refine until the design feels completely right. Nothing moves to the build phase until you've given your full approval.

Hardscaping refers to the built, structural elements of your outdoor space — patios, pathways, pergolas, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, and driveways. Softscaping refers to all the living elements — plants, trees, grass, and garden beds. The best outdoor spaces integrate both thoughtfully, with hardscaping providing the structure and softscaping bringing it to life.

We work primarily with natural materials that complement the California landscape — decomposed granite, natural flagstone, gravel, natural stone, and wood. When concrete and pavers are the right choice for a specific application, we use them intentionally and in proportion. Every material recommendation is made with your aesthetic, your budget, and the long-term performance of your space in mind.

Project timelines vary depending on scope and complexity. Most of our hardscaping projects run between one and four weeks from start to finish. We'll give you a clear timeline during the design phase so you know exactly what to expect before we break ground.

Most standard hardscaping projects — patios, pathways, pergolas, and outdoor kitchens with propane — don't require permits. Permits are typically required for significant retaining walls, structures attached to your home, or outdoor kitchens that require the installation of gas or sewer lines. We'll identify any permitting needs during the on-site consultation so there are no surprises.

Absolutely — and it's one of the most common projects we take on. Whether you have an existing garden that needs a pathway, a backyard that needs a patio, or a front entry that needs a complete refresh, we can design and build hardscaping elements that integrate beautifully with what's already there.

Yes — significantly. Well-designed hardscaping is consistently cited as one of the highest-return outdoor investments a homeowner can make. A beautifully designed patio, outdoor kitchen, or front entry doesn't just improve how you live in your home today — it increases its market value and curb appeal for years to come. And in a market like Los Angeles and Orange County, where outdoor living is part of everyday life, that value is even more pronounced.

Our backyard renovation and outdoor living projects start at $25,000. Complete transformations with pergolas, outdoor kitchens, native gardens, water features, and lighting typically range from $75,000 to $150,000. We're always upfront about investment from the very first conversation — and we want to design a space you love that's within your desired investment range.

Most outdoor living projects run between one and six weeks from start to finish, depending on scope. We'll give you a precise timeline during the design phase so you know exactly what to expect.

Yes — outdoor kitchens are one of our most requested projects. We design and build custom outdoor kitchens ranging from simple built-in grills to fully equipped cooking and dining spaces.

We don't build pools under our license, but we work with trusted pool contractors and can include pool design in the overall outdoor living plan so everything integrates seamlessly. If a pool is part of your outdoor space vision, we'll connect you with our trusted pool contractor to integrate that conversation into the broader landscaping design and build project.

Absolutely. Many clients come to us with an existing yard that just needs the right additions. We design new elements that integrate beautifully with what's already there.

Yes — and we consider them essential, not optional. The right lighting and water features transform a good outdoor space into an extraordinary one. If they're part of your vision, we'll make sure they're integrated thoughtfully into the overall design.

Drought tolerant landscaping uses plants, materials, and irrigation systems that require significantly less water than a traditional lawn or garden. In Southern California, this typically means California native plants, Mediterranean species, decomposed granite, natural stone, and water-efficient drip irrigation — all designed to thrive in our warm, dry climate with minimal supplemental watering once established.

It's one of our deepest areas of expertise. Alejandra holds a California Native Plant Landscaper Certification and has spent years learning the nuances of designing with native plants — how they grow, how they're watered, and how to make them thrive in the Southern California climate. It's not just a trend for us. It's a core part of who we are.

This is the most common misconception about drought-tolerant landscaping — and the answer is absolutely not. California native plants are adapted to our dry summers, but that doesn't mean they stop being beautiful. Many natives go semi-dormant in summer, which simply means they're conserving energy, not dying. The key is designing with seasonal interest in mind — choosing plants that bloom at different times of year, layering textures and colors, and incorporating evergreen natives that provide year-round structure. A well-designed native garden looks intentional and alive in every season.

Xeriscaping is a broader term for any water-efficient landscaping approach — it doesn't necessarily mean California native plants or any particular aesthetic. Drought-tolerant landscaping, as we practice it at Herencia, is specifically rooted in California native and Mediterranean plants adapted to this climate. The result is a landscape that is not only water-efficient but deeply beautiful and authentic to the Southern California environment.

Less than you might think — but not zero. California native plants require more attention during their first one to two years as they establish their root systems. After that, they're remarkably self-sufficient. We'll walk you through a complete plant care guide at your final walkthrough so you know exactly what to expect in every season.

Most California native plants establish within one to two years. During that period they'll need supplemental irrigation to get their root systems settled. Once established, many natives can survive on rainfall alone — which in Southern California means your water bill goes down significantly and your garden gets more beautiful every year.

Absolutely — and it's a great approach for families who want some green grass for kids or pets but also want to reduce their water usage and maintenance. We can design a hybrid landscape that incorporates a smaller, intentional lawn area alongside native and drought-tolerant plantings. The result is a beautiful, balanced yard that works for your family and your water bill.

Significantly — especially in Los Angeles and Orange County, where water costs are high and water restrictions are only becoming more common. A well-designed native or drought-tolerant landscape signals sophistication and environmental awareness, reduces ongoing maintenance costs, and creates a landscape that looks better over time. It's one of the smartest long-term investments you can make in your Southern California home.

Possibly — and we love helping clients take advantage of it when it makes sense. California's Be Water Wise program offers rebates of $3 to $5 per square foot for homeowners who replace their lawn with drought-tolerant or native landscaping. We're listed as a certified installer on the Be Water Wise and Calscape directories, so we know the process inside and out. Ask us about it on your discovery call and we'll let you know if your property qualifies.

The Be Water Wise program offers homeowners rebates for replacing traditional lawns with drought-tolerant or California native landscaping. Rebates typically range from $3 to $5 per square foot of lawn replaced, depending on your water district. Some districts offer additional incentives. As a certified installer listed on the Be Water Wise directory, we can help you determine if your property qualifies and guide you through the application process.

The process involves applying with your water district before the project begins, completing the approved installation, and then submitting for verification and reimbursement. Because we've done it many times, we know exactly what's required. We'll walk you through every step during your discovery call if your property qualifies.