We received this note from a client who is an architect after a project proposal.
Sorry that I haven’t piped in yet, but thank you for the thorough presentation and terrific material you left us. We will be reviewing everything this weekend but it’s a real treat to receive such a complete and educational proposal. I know first-hand how much effort goes into what you put together and it reflects very well on your company.
Estimate notes over design sketch
This new home in Novato combined several elements into a complete back yard installation. Situated with great views of the sweeping San Marin hills, the design for the project incorporated distinct areas- main new deck, new patio with pergola, access pathways up and down hillsides, and a vegetable garden and Japanese inspired zig-zag boardwalk.
O’Connell Landscape has an excellent team of designers, plant specialists, and experienced employees. They communicate well and completed our landscape efficiently and in a very reasonable time. Our backyard is really beautiful and we are enjoying it already.
-Susan and Jeff Schlosser, Novato
This project was a complete reworking of a front and back yard, with new stamped concrete driveway, entry pathway and rear patio. In the back yard we installed a new arbor and revamped an old lawn with new plantings and pathways.
We were very pleased with O’Connell Landscape, from our first meeting with Michael to the completed project of our frontyard, backyard and driveway. Michael was able to take our vision and with his expertise in landscape design exceeded our expectations for our project. The crew was great, they were always on time and at the end of each workday the work areas were straightened and ready for the following day. We had a lot of cement work done and were very pleased with the concrete contractor’s skill with color and design.
We appreciated the landscape drawings that Michael prepared which helped us visualize what the project would look like at completion. The informational booklet that Michael put together for the types and care of the many different plants and trees is proving to be very helpful.
-Ed & Diane Landman, Petaluma
We just completed this back yard project in Petaluma, which transformed an existing paver patio with more space, a seat wall, and BBQ island with bar seating. The BBQ island utilized natural stone veneer panels and large Indian Sandstone natural stone slabs for the countertop.
We could not have been more pleased with our backyard remodel, which consisted of replanting our vegetable bed with non-toxic wood, extending our patio, building a seat wall and putting in a built in BBQ. O’Connell landscape was responsive to our questions throughout. The project was completed on budget and in the time frame promised. The few issues we raised were promptly addressed to our satisfaction. The crew was onsite everyday, was polite and left the job in clean condition each evening. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending them.
-Michael & Stacey Wenzel, Petaluma
This project in Corte Madera had the advantage that many lots in Marin lack, flat usable space. We took the existing back yard, which had only a small old patio and had been cut up with fencing and old landscaping, and transformed it with a new redwood deck, bluestone patio with integrated firepit, and large lawn with subsurface irrigation.
From the moment we selected O’Connell Landscape this was a worry free project. We especially appreciated being able to collaborate with our project team face to face and via email (with pictures!). And, the end result is gorgeous!
-Laura and Rusty Von Waldburg, Corte Madera
This project took an existing hillside and transformed into a natural extension of the existing more formal. We used several tons of boulders and a dry stream bed along with ornamental grass and a native bent grass meadow to create a garden that blends with the open space around it.
My wife and I would be delighted to refer O’Connell Landscape to anyone and know they would have as good an experience and outcome as we did. We’re proud of the finished project, especially in the sense that what Michael has created for us incorporates all the elements we had in mind but had difficulty visualizing without his help and complete conceptual plan.
For the bid or proposal process in particular, I especially liked Michael’s approach of packaging the proposal so that we could pick and choose those features we had prioritized. It made the decisions much easier.
My wife and I agree the design and outcome was even better than our expectations. We’re very pleased.
-Mike and Sharon Morgan, Petaluma
See updated photos of the garden 1 year later
Project Video
My wife and I would be delighted to refer O’Connell Landscape to anyone and know they would have as good an experience and outcome as we did. We’re proud of the finished project, especially in the sense that what Michael has created for us incorporates all the elements we had in mind but had difficulty visualizing without his help and complete conceptual plan.
For the bid or proposal process in particular, I especially liked Michael’s approach of packaging the proposal so that we could pick and choose those features we had prioritized. It made the decisions much easier.
My wife and I agree the design and outcome was even better than our expectations. We’re very pleased.
This project took a difficult hillside property in Petaluma and transformed it with a new entrance, dry stream bed, access path and low water use garden.
O’Connell Landscaping completed a wonderful project for us. The finished design exceeded our expectations. Construction went as planned in spite of the weather and the difficult terrain! Every detail was attended to whether it was specifically stated in the contract or not. The crew was meticulous in their work, pleasant to be around and were not at all imposing. Communication was consistent and all questions were addressed immediately. We are pleased with the outcome, pleased with the service we received and pleased with the ease of construction. -Maureen & Frank, Petaluma
We completed this project last fall, transforming an unused small back yard into something special with a new stone patio, plantings, and water feature as a focal point.
O’Connell Landscaping helped make the project a satisfying experience by providing a timely estimate, submitting a clear explanation of work items in the agreement, and flexible times to meet and discuss changes/additions during the project. Their work crew were on time and completed stages of the job efficiently. I am very happy with the quality of the products they installed. -Lorrie, Petaluma
This project in Petaluma took a back yard with a small existing concrete patio and developed a large paver patio with more usable area for entertaining and better access for the owner’s dogs. Planter beds were used to soften existing fencing and as foundation plantings. We used Sonoma Blend McNear Pavers and matching Versa-lok and integrated this with a large compacted gravel alleyway area with brown pathway fines that coordinated well.
Installation details were important here. Gopher wire was installed underneath the compacted gravel and driveway Turf Block to prevent disturbance, and all perimeters of the patio were set in mortared solider courses for good long term stability.
O’Connell Landscape did a great job of designing a yard that is both dog friendly and beautiful. Our requirements were rather unique with 4 dogs. The crew showed up early and worked hard 5 days a week for 5 weeks. There was a minimum of disruption during the process and we are very happy with the results. – Mike and Cherri Scannell, Petaluma
We just finished a front yard garden in Penngrove, which removed an old lawn and reinvented it as a more usable, dynamic garden space. A organic path now meanders through the yard by a new seating area spilling pot fountain.
I knew that by removing our front lawn, I wanted to have low maintenance plantings that would be aesthetically pleasing while using much less water than the lawn required. O’Connell Landscape came up with a design that achieved both. I was pleased that they were flexible in utilizing some of the material we had in another part of our yard (gravel) to incorporate into the design, thus recycling and keeping costs down.
Communication about the project was exceptional.
-Joan Walsh, Penngrove
New front garden plan that re-imagined an unused front lawn
We recently volunteered with Petaluma Bounty to help design the new Arroyo Community Garden, creating a design, layout, and material plan from the project. The garden is in the process of being constructed at the Living Word Lutheran Church in Petaluma. You can read the latest happenings at the Arroyo Community Garden Blog.
Dear Virginia,
We want to thank you and O’Connell Landscape for so generously providing many hours of your time developing and presenting professional plans for the layout and materials list for the Arroyo Community Garden. This weekend we are completing the boxes, filling with soil and planting our vegetables and flowers. We hope you will swing by and see the progress and know that you are appreciated for your wonderful contribution. On behalf of Arroyo Community Garden and the many community members that your contribution supports— thank YOU!
With appreciation,
MaryAnn Kendall
Arroyo Volunteer Garden Team
Design Diagram Arroyo Community Garden
See a time lapse Video from one of the work days on the garden:
We finished this project this past winter to makeover the front yard of this Novato home. The design incorporated two bluestone pathways to a front landing that was surfaced with solid bluestone. Around a large existing redwood a dry laid wall was built, with another at the front of the house for a raised planter.
“Construction work of any kind always brings challenges. O’Connell Landscape makes the process enjoyable as they are so responsive to questions and concerns.” -Pam, Novato
