There are multiple ways to build and design a new backyard in Southern California, some will produce disastrous results others are rather expensive. Explore your options...
We believe many popular resources no longer provide a true picture of the best landscape contractors near me. They've become greedy and dedicate too many top slots to the highest bidders. Search engines showcase those who pay for ad space and lead-generation national websites that care little about homeowners.
We decided to create a list of landscape contractors in Los Angeles of our own. Our primary goal is to help homeowners find a trustworthy local outdoor renovation company.
Why would be advertising for other backyard landscape designers and builders? Because InstallArtificial is competitive in both price and quality. We will provide you with the facts and leave it up to you to decide.
How DO You Select the Best Landscape Companies Near Me in Los Angeles?
There are a few major factors that we assessed to make this article relevant and practical to homeowners in Los Angeles looking for a new backyard design and remodel. To find the best landscaping company in Los Angeles, we've adhered to the rules of fair competition and compared companies based on the following terms:
- Years in Business
- Appearance in Local Search
- Client Reviews & Ratings
- Background Check (License, Insurance)
- Rankings on Yelp and Google
- Website
An important factor for the success of any business is the number of customers. To help you access only trustworthy and reputable landscaping contractors nearby in Los Angeles, we used Spyfu metrics as our guide to compile a list of the top ones around. We unfortunately cannot determine which one is better, however these are the most reliable ones to our knowledge. Should you be a landscape designer in Los Angeles who would like to make adjustments or add on to the list, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Top 10 Landscape Contractors in Los Angeles
InstallArtificial
Visitors: 5,260 per month.
Landscape Services Provided:
- Artificial Grass Installation - Pet Turf, Putting Greens, Playgrounds, Balconies and Rooftops
- Decomposed Granite
- Landscape Design and Build
- Backyard Remodel & Renovation
- Lighting & Irrigation
- Paver Patios & Walkways
Years in Business:
Founded in 2017.
Client Ratings:
- Yelp: 4.5 Stars
- Google: 5 Stars
Recent Positive Review:
"You never know what to expect when you have a huge job at your new house with a team you’ve never worked with before. Well, if your plans include installing artificial turf that looks better than real grass, STOP RIGHT NOW AND HIRE INSTALLARTIFICIAL! Not only were they the most responsive installer I’ve worked with in years, but they went truly above and beyond. My yard is challenging with trees, planters, irrigation, speaker wires, and electrical wires and they protected everything (and often improved on its previous appearance) seamlessly. The finished job is far better than I could have ever imagined, and I actually miss having the crew here in my backyard. Yes, they are that nice, respectful, dedicated, hard-working, and skilled. Literally, if I could give them 100 stars, I would!
And as you can see below, my new dog is a truly happy boy with his new yard!" - Gale H.
Recent Negative Review:
"Set up the appointment and they didn't show. I had to take time away from work to be home which was a complete waste of time. I called and spoke to John who was extremely apologetic and polite. His service guy was stuck somewhere else, which happens, but you call the customer to let them know. You don't wait for them to call you. John you're a nice guy, which is why you got 2 stars instead of 1, but you lost a customer." - Tyler B.
Background Check (License, Insurance):
InstallArtificial's license number is clearly stated within the footer of our website multiple times throughout our estimate proposals to allow our clients the peace of mind of verifying our info. All license and insurance is current.
Appearance in Local Search:
InstallArtificial does not use ads or sponsored posts. They rely on organic search and positively nurtured client relationships to gather leads. They are also a trustworthy source of information for all things backyard renovation with several content publications!
Green Scene Landscaping
Visitors: 834 per month.
Landscape Services Provided:
- Swimming Pools & Spas
- Outdoor Kitchens & BBQ
- Fire Features
- Woodwork
- Landscape Design and Build
Years in Business:
Spyfu showing web activity beginning in 2006.
Client Ratings:
- Yelp: 5 Stars
- Google: 4.6 Stars
Recent Positive Review:
"I highly recommend the Green Scene. From the initial consultation through to design and construction, they did an excellent job on my back yard. We live in a new development and my yard was 100% dirt when we moved in, now it's an urban oasis. The whole team, from Scott and Ryan in the office to Frank and his team on the ground, completed my complex landscaping project on time and on budget - even with the lingering covid supply chain issues. I did not spend one dollar more than was originally agreed. There were no hidden fees or charges and they didn't cut corners or skimp on materials either. My design required a lot of different materials including pavers, custom stepping pads, tiles, artificial turf, trees, shrubs, all manner of plants, irrigation, and several different kinds of lighting. Green Scene made all those disparate elements come together perfectly. The professional advice they offered saved me both time and money, and enhanced the overall project. They also worked closely with me on any changes as the construction progressed. A few of my neighbors used some of those fly-by-night contractors that inevitably descend on new developments - and they regret it. For some, shortly after their projects were completed they started having serious problems. And calling those people back? Forget it. They're gone. Green Scene has been in business in the Valley for a long time, and it's easy to see why." - Kevin B.
Recent Negative Review:
"Took 6 weeks from paying for design and did not receive anything. I requested a refund, Scott contacted us and asked that we give them a chance to put together a design and if at that point we dont want to go through with them we can walk away with a full refund. After a week when Scott showed us the design, he tried pushing us to sign before we left because we did not want to give in to pressure we asked for time to get back to him. We were not offered a refund before we left.
After doing research I found multiple other companies that will do your design for half the price. We hired another company (feel free to contact me and I can give you their info). They did our design for half the price and we completely OWN our design that we paid for. GreenScene / Scott will not give you the design after paying 3k, they will tell you it belongs to "them".
We took Green Scene to small claims court because they would not honor the refund they should have given us many months ago. We were not awarded the money because Scott will show the court that you signed the design away to them so even though they took 2 months to get us a design, promised a full refund, and we have nothing they choose to not refund us and decide to keep our money.
I am also a business owner and I would never treat a client like this, I would much rather refund a customer and keep them happy even if I thought I was right.
Do yourself a favor, look through the hidden reviews and you will find some others that had similar issues. Don't be fooled, as soon as you decide not to go with Green Scene they will treat you like you don't matter, they will keep your money and not be helpful...." - Mak C.
Background Check (License, Insurance):
Green Scene Landscaping and Swimming Pools licensing information can be found in the footer on the website, allowing for quick confirmation using the CSLB data base.
Appearance in Local Search:
Green Scene Landscaping and Pools is a Yelp advertiser, paying to boost their listing higher on search results yielded in the Los Angeles area. They do not pay for ads on Google, so most of the traffic to their website stems from local results for landscaping companies and through their informational content.
Picture Build
Visitors: 697 per month.
Landscape Services Provided:
- Patios, Pavers, Walkways
- Landscape Maintenance
- Plants & Drought Tolerant Landscaping
- Pools, Water Features, Spas
- Decks & Pergolas
- Outdoor Kitchen
Years in Business:
Founded May 2013.
Client Ratings:
- Yelp: 4.5 Stars
- Google: 4.9 Stars
Recent Positive Review:
"I bought a newly constructed home with unfinished backyard. I interviewed 4 companies and chose Picture Build. I was very happy with their work from start to finish and give them the highest rating. The landscape designer, Dana, is very knowledgeable about plants/trees and has a good eye for color and layout. She listened to what I wanted in the garden, dealt with the HOA guidelines, created a nice plan and 3D virtual walkthrough, and stayed within my budget. The project manager, Jorge, kept me informed on the progress of the installation and was easy to contact if there were questions. The whole team was punctual, polite, and professional. I wish them much success in the future!" - Betsy A.
Recent Negative Review:
"1.) We had an appointment for a consultation with Dana, and she texted she was running late, but just wanted to cancel instead of just pushing the appointment to later in the day. I had taken work off for this meeting (since they don't do consultations on the weekend), so we asked if she can just push the time... she reluctantly did.
2.) When she finally showed up, and the second she walked into our backyard for a consultation, I could see she wasn't interested in working with us; she seemed so uninterested. After telling her our ideas for the backyard, she asked what our budget was. We told her the number we were aiming for (which was on the lower end) and she just blankly stared at me and then kind of laughed at the number. She went into saying how much everything would cost, and maybe "her" company wasn't a right fit for us. She honestly made us feel less than, and that our project was not worthy of her time. We were open to expanding our budget, but she kind of just shut us down. She said she would just take measurements and give us a line item cost of what everything would be. However, she said she was going on vacation the following week, so she would give us a quote the week after she got back... mind you, she said this on a Tuesday. Every other person we met with gave us a same day quote. She really made it seem like we weren't worth her time.
Long story story- it's been 4 weeks and she never even sent us a quote. She completely disregarded us and our project." - Amanda D.
Background Check (License, Insurance):
On the home page of Picture Build 's website, potential customers can easily verify their credential information regarding licensure and insurance coverage. The California State License Board provides a simple way to check these details.
Appearance in Local Search:
Picture Build is a Yelp advertiser and pays to sponsor their listings, making them more visible than others on this list. They also pay to be featured higher on a few google keywords. While we typically shy away from those with paid advertising campaigns, their ad space is minimal and most of their traffic stems from organic searches and popping up in local listings for best backyard contractors in Los Angeles.
Flores Artscape
Visitors: 480 per month.
Landscape Services Provided:
- Full Landscape Renovation
- Driveway Paving
- Patios & Decks
- Water Features
- Fencing, Gates, Retaining Walls
- Hedging and Plants
Years in Business:
Yelps claims established in 2004, digital presence seen in 2018.
Client Ratings:
- Yelp: 4.5 Stars
- Google: 4.6 Stars
Recent Positive Review:
"Used FloresArtscape for a commercial project and the service and final product came out great! They were willing to work around our schedule so we did not close more than we had to. Communication and service before the project, during the project, and after were top notch. Flores Artscape is a company you can rely on." - Daniel L.
Recent Negative Review:
This is my second time using Flores Artscape and I can unfortunately say that I will not call them again in the future. I contracted them to install a new fence in my yard, along with a new gate and another small construction project.
While the fence looks good, a few weeks after installation I discovered that the gate that leads to my front yard would no longer open. The wood posts on either side of it are not level, preventing the door from swinging open. I called Flores and they sent their installer out to fix the problem. Unfortunately, the fix did not work and after another week or so, I could no longer open the gate. It has now been months and in spite of multiple phone calls and requests, the problem is still not resolved. Flores has not sent someone back to resolve the problem, and I have not been able to open the gate to my front yard for months.
Poor craftsmanship and poor customer service are not a good combination. If you are reading this review, I strongly encourage you to move on and find a different landscape company." - Kristen M.
Background Check (License, Insurance):
Flores Artscape offers its CA licensing information clearly at the bottom of their home page, giving potential clients peace of mind that this company is fully insured and bonded. You can simply verify the active standing on CSLB.
Appearance in Local Search:
While Flores Artscape does not use any paid ads on Google, they pay to sponsor listings on Yelp. This means they'll pop up in the ads section when searching for best landscape companies nearby. They are also very visible in the local maps section on Google.
Green Advisor Inc.
Visitors: 240 per month.
Landscape Services Provided:
- Custom Patios & Decks
- Fire Pit Installation
- Driveways & Paver Installation
- Landscaping Design
- Pool Construction
Years in Business:
Established in 2005, Spyfu claims internet presence in 2020. They may have rebranded.
Client Ratings:
- Yelp: 5 Stars
- Google: 5 Stars
Recent Positive Review:
"I have been working with these guys for the past few months on a landscape design project and I am blown away by the results. Shai and Ron have been fantastic to work with, always taking the time to listen to my ideas and offer suggestions. The team is skilled and professional, and they have truly transformed my outdoor space. I can't recommend them enough" - Ronny M.
Recent Negative Review:
I wanted to make sure I shared this experience so no one else got ripped off by Shai and this company. Shai came to give me an estimate for my driveway. He did not include any measurements, just an approximate, which I happened to know was a couple hundred square feet larger than the space I was having paved. They also would did not provide the per square foot price until I asked multiple times. I was sent a quote for approximately 1500 square feet of pavers, ultimately at $21 a square foot for $36,000. The math is $31,500. When I mentioned this, and asked for real measurements of the driveway to support their quote, Shai was rude. "Listen, this is simple." Then was told it was a software glitch that caused them to charge me an additional $5,500 for the job. Shai also never explained why he did not do proper measurements for the estimate. Had I not requested the price per square foot, or proper measurements to justify 1500 square feet instead of the 1358 square feet my space needs for pavers, this company would have ripped me off for $5,500. Be wary of their business practices." - Sashir P.
Background Check (License, Insurance):
licensing and insurance information for Green Advisor Inc. can be found in a drop down menu on their website. This allows for easy confirmation on your end using the CSLB site.
Appearance in Local Search:
RainforestLA has avoided paying for sponsored postings on Yelp or Google search results, instead relying upon content posting and organic web traffic. In Los Angeles searches for lawn renovation contractors, they can be found quickly once you pass the paid ads. Their presence is largely due to their extended period of excellent reviews.
RainforestLA, Inc.
Visitors: 220 per month.
Landscape Services Provided:
- Landscape
- Hardscape
- Low-Voltage Lighting
- 3D Design
Years in Business:
Founded December 2009.
Client Ratings:
- Yelp: 4.5 Stars
- Google: 5 Stars
Recent Positive Review:
"Yosef from RainForest LA came over in January to give me an estimate on redoing my front yard. They were the 3rd landscape contractor to come and give me an estimate. I had a sketch of what I wanted to do and they were the only contractor I contacted that could do it all. They removed the grass, old plants, old brick walkway on the side of the driveway, part of the driveway and old irrigation system. They installed artificial grass, new plants, new curved walkway, new driveway (partial) and new drip irrigation system. I am extremely happy with the way it came out and they did it all in a little over one week." - Maria B.
Recent Negative Review:
"Bad manners, bad attitude. Could have gotten a better deal elsewhere and without the drama" - Miss P.
Background Check (License, Insurance):
RainforestLA does not provide their contractor license information on the website as far as we can tell. This makes it harder for potential clients to verify the current standing of their insurance. However, through a business search on CSLB we were able to find their information, active as of 2/22/23.
Appearance in Local Search:
It does not appear that RainforestLA pays for sponsored postings on Yelp or Google search results. This means they've relied on content posting and natural web traffic to bring in leads. They are found fairly quickly in local search results for backyard contractors in Los Angeles once you pass the ads, this is due to their positive reviews and years in the business.
Stout Design Build Landscape Architect
Visitors: 75 per month.
Landscape Services Provided:
- Lawn Alternative & Shrubbery
- Outdoor Entertaining & Kitchen
- Fire & Water Features
- Hardscape
- Fencing & Lighting
Years in Business:
Website data stemming back to 2019, Yelp page says established in 2000.
Client Ratings:
- Yelp: 4.5 Stars
- Google: 4.8 Stars
Recent Positive Review:
"I've referred many, many clients (I'm a landscape designer/drafter) to Tom Stout and the team multiple times for work requiring their expertise. These clients are genuinely impressed with Tom's extensive knowledge in the fields of indoor-outdoor design, landscape design, pool design, and his specific tree expertise. Besides his knowledge base, customers appreciate his perfectionist design work, his open-minded creativity, his many environmentally-friendly solutions, and reasonable fees. He is not your cheapest designer, but he is one of the most experienced and innovative in L.A." - Karen M.
Recent Negative Review:
"Just got a notice that my review was taken down. My experience with Stout is just as valid as any others and anyone who's a potential customer should be aware. I called to obtain a quote and the person who picked up the phone couldn't have been ruder, they answered as if it was a personal line not a business and proceeded to act as if I was completely putting them out. I tried to get further information, such as how to hire them, and was told they'd have to call me back and hung up...without getting any of my information. With all the options out there; I went elsewhere." - Robbie C.
Background Check (License, Insurance):
The CSLB site is the quick and easy way to verify the validity of Stout Design Build Landscape's licenses and insurance. All the necessary information is conveniently located on the homepage for swift validation.
Appearance in Local Search:
Stout Design Build Landscape Architects have a very small paid advertising campaign on google listings, however most of their traffic stems from their appearance local listings. We found them on page 1 of the maps results when searching for the back landscape architects in Los Angeles.
Green Grounds Landscape Services
Visitors: 56 per month.
Landscape Services Provided:
- Landscape Install
- Paver Patios and Paths
- Pool & Spa
- Deck & Fence
- Concrete Installation
- Pergolas
Years in Business:
Yelp about section mentions founded in 2010, Spyfu results only dating back to 2019.
Client Ratings:
- Yelp: 4 Stars
- Google: 5 Stars
Recent Positive Review:
"My family and I were on quite of a time crunch with the renovation of our backyard and Green Grounds not only met our expectations, they exceeded them! Cirilo coordinated with my dad and him and his guys were extremely flexible and found a way to work with our schedule. We were honestly amazed at their work ethic. They did so much so fast and so beautifully. They were very kind and we could tell they were determined to do this job and do it well. Within the first day, we already saw a huge difference and could tell our backyard was going to be everything we dreamed of. Cirilo and his guys are amazing and I definitely recommend them for all your landscaping needs! 10/10! Here are some pictures of what our backyard looked like before/during reconstruction and after. The difference is astounding. We are in love! THANK YOU." - Melissa N.
Recent Negative Review:
"Had these guys come and do a smaller job on my property installing black metal edging and staking some trees. Two weeks later I am still finding sharp pieces of metal they left all over in my lawn and the black on the metal edging is completely peeling off all over. (Left empty water bottles and trash all over in my potted plants too). Before I even noticed all that in the back I tried to also have them give me a second quote for artificial grass and the guy completely lied about the price. We went over everything in detail during the site visit, reviewed the notes he took and he showed me the math and confirmed the overall price all included at $10.5k. Guy then doesn't follow up with the estimate for a full week and sends it through increased by $4k with a bunch of BS about why the increase was justified. Done with these people." - Ross M.
Background Check (License, Insurance):
On the website of Green Grounds Landscape Services, their license number or insurance information is not present. Using CSLB's search engine to verify their licensing status revealed no results - an indication that they may be working under a different business alias. This presents a challenge for customers who are trying to confirm their credentials.
Appearance in Local Search:
It appears that Green Grounds Landscape is both a Yelp advertiser and uses paid ads on Google. However, this advertising is minimal and we do not see them popping up often in ad space. Your best bet seeing them in local search results for backyard landscaping companies nearby.
GardenWorks Landscaping & Maintenance
Visitors: 18 per month.
Landscape Services Provided:
- Landscape Design/Build
- Landscape Maintenance
- Tree Trimming Services
- Irrigation & Water Management
Years in Business:
Established in 2001, first online presence was seen in 2016.
Client Ratings:
- Yelp: 5 Stars
- Google: 5 Stars
Recent Positive Review:
"We met with Alonso for our initial design for our backyard. He was very professional and offered his opinion without making us feel obligated (we ended up going with his suggestion and we are extremely happy that we did). During the project we worked with Rigo . He was also very professional and kept us up to-date with the schedule throughout the project. Our yard looks fantastic and we are constantly recommending Dream Retreats to our family, friends, and neighbors. We plan to use them again in the future should we ever need landscaping design/changes." - Daisy H.
Recent Negative Review:
N/A
Background Check (License, Insurance):
When attempting to determine the licensing status of GardenWorks Landscape Services, no verification information such as a license number or insurance information could be located directly from their website. An inquiry into California's Contractors State License Board (CSLB)’s search engine yielded no results either - hinting that they may have chosen to do business under an alias
Appearance in Local Search:
GardenWorks uses both Yelp and Google to advertise their landscape building services, however this doesn't appear to bring in much web traffic. The most visibility we've seen from them is showing up on page 2 of local search results for landscape designers in Los Angeles.
Artscape Gardens
Visitors: 10 per month.
Landscape Services Provided:
- Lawn & Garden Conversion
- Gates, Decks, Woodworking
- Hillsides
- Hardscaping
Years in Business:
Founded in 2015.
Client Ratings:
- Yelp: 5 Stars
- Google: 5 Stars
Recent Positive Review:
"I highly recommend working with Artscape Gardens. We hired them to demo and start the revitalization process on our neglected backyard. As a first-time homeowner, there was a bit of a learning curve in terms of what was needed and what we were able to realistically accomplish within our budget, and we researched and got quotes from a few different companies in the area. Ben, Oscar, and the team were knowledgeable, fair, highly responsive (this was surprisingly not the case with many others), and customer-service oriented from the start. They didn't turn up their noses at our firm budget (which was sizable in my eyes), which also wasn't the case with other companies we explored.
The team delivered a shockingly fast turnaround on our tightly scoped project. Overall, they were a pleasure to work with, and our backyard is off to a beautiful start. I would (and likely will) hire them again for our larger landscaping needs." - Nick N.
Recent Negative Review:
N/A
Background Check (License, Insurance):
Verifying that Artscape Gardens is properly licensed and insured can be quickly accomplished by consulting the front page of their website. All the information necessary to confirm their status with the Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB)
Appearance in Local Search:
Artscape Gardens has chosen to invest in sponsored listings on Yelp, even though they don't use paid ads on Google. These listings will appear when people search for the best nearby landscape companies. Furthermore, their presence can be seen in the local maps section of Google.
AJP Landscape Inc
Visitors: 1 per month.
Landscape Services Provided:
- Landscape Design & Installation
- Pavers Install
- Tree Trimming & Removal
- Artificial Turf Installation
- Fences, Gates, Pergolas, Decking
Years in Business:
Yelp says established in 2001, online footprint is only dating back to May 2021.
Client Ratings:
- Yelp: 4 Stars
- Google: 4.8 Stars
Recent Positive Review:
"We met with Alonso for our initial design for our backyard. He was very professional and offered his opinion without making us feel obligated (we ended up going with his suggestion and we are extremely happy that we did). During the project we worked with Rigo . He was also very professional and kept us up to-date with the schedule throughout the project. Our yard looks fantastic and we are constantly recommending Dream Retreats to our family, friends, and neighbors. We plan to use them again in the future should we ever need landscaping design/changes." - Daisy H.
Recent Negative Review:
"I can't even give a full review of their work - because Alonso flaked out twice on our appointment to walk my property and generate an estimate. Super unprofessional and really a waste of time." - Steven L.
Background Check (License, Insurance):
For the satisfaction of their customers, AJP Landscaping has made sure to prominently display their license and insurance information on the homepage of their website. With a quick look at the CSLB site, you can quickly verify all of these details.
Appearance in Local Search:
AJP Landscape Inc. has a very minimal online presence outside of local results for outdoor landscape contractors in Los Angeles. You will struggle to find their listings for more general searches.
Final Remarks:
Our team has carefully assessed certain companies that have been deemed unsuitable for inclusion in this article. These include
- Resellers with advertising campaigns that could be perceived as aggressive
- Franchise networks
- Outdoor contractors whose repair jobs have been undertaken by us
- Those landscaping architects which our team has recently heard negative feedback about
