Eco Minded Solutions

We hired Eco Minded Solutions to recreate our front yard, which sloped from the front porch all the way down to the sidewalk. Our vision was to have an enclosed patio area so that our young kids could not run out on the street from the front door and also an outdoor living space where we could enjoy the view from our front yard. We also wanted to get rid of the grass and put in drought tolerant plants. The space was extremely challenging for what we wanted to achieve. Eco Minded’s designers came up with a great design that raised up our front yard with low retaining walls and a stylish fence that would keep the kids in the front yard, but not block the view. The cost of the entire job was provided up front and broken down for us and we were told the job would take approximately four weeks. Eco Minded started the job when they said they would and worked continuously until the job was complete. Four weeks later, we had a completely new front yard with all the features that we envisioned. During construction, Eco Minded kept us updated as to their progress and were available to answer questions. In short, we love our new front yard and are very happy with Eco Minded’s work.

We worked with Eco Minded Solutions recently to redesign our backyard and couldn’t be happier with the results! We started out with a lopsided lawn that never looked good and ended up with a lovely terraced living space that is inviting, relaxing and complimentary to the remaining yard.
From the initial consultation, our designer listened to our «wish list» and returned with an approach which met all of our needs and respected our budget. Our yard was surveyed and then scheduled for a project start time after we approved the final design. The project manager and one of the owners arrived a week before our start date to do an on-​site walk through and answer any final questions, offering suggestions to those questions, which we implemented.
Then work got started by our construction team who was amazing — transforming our yard from a place where grass went to die into a mini oasis. Along every step of the way we felt cared for and that we were in good hands! And we now have a beautiful, almost no-​maintenance back yard filled with drought tolerant plants that will keep our hummingbirds, butterflies and us quite happy.

We really liked the design they did, and appreciated their willingness to make changes. They started the job on time when they said they would, and finished when they said they would. The crew consisting of Miguel, Raul and Alhandro were excellent. So was the job supervisor John. They kept the job site orderly, and cleaned up after themselves every day. They were very accommodating and asked for input whenever there appeared to be different ways of doing the job. Rather than paying for boulders, they were able to utilize boulders that we had in the yard. All in all, a very satisfactory experience. Our first water bill was 40% lower than when we had turf. We only had a slight issue with them replacing a few plants that didn’t make it. They eventually did replace them, but it took longer than we would have liked. We absolutely love how it turned out! The finished product is better than we hoped for.

We are extremely happy with the extensive remodel and a ground floor extension of our La Jolla home Eco Minded Solutions did for us. They completely changed the flow and character of our home.
Eco Minded Solutions gave an honest bid with all costs broken out in great detail. They were significantly less expensive than other companies we were also considering. I particularly value the «can do» attitude that Josh Rosenthal instills in his workers. They guided us throughout the process, and followed through with all of their obligations.
Throughout the process, the staff/​crew were professional and friendly and easy to have around (we were living in the house during part of the project). I also appreciated that they were always on the lookout for ways to improve the project, make it simpler to do and less expensive, without sacrificing quality. The final product is amazing, finished on time and on budget. They absolutely stand behind their work and if you have a question or a concern they are incredibly responsive.
In summary, we have no reservations recommending them to anyone.

After mowing nearly 3000 sqft of once pristine blue grass for nearly three decades, we watched it succumb to crabgrass, rabbits, drought, and crushing water bills. Serendipitously, we discovered Eco Minded Solutions who transformed a field of unkempt turf into a magical landscape.
Shayna, a delightful person with an undergraduate degree in landscape design, met us at a time convenient for our work schedules. Two weeks later, she provided us a detailed and amazing blueprint that far exceeded our expectations. We requested minor revisions through several emails to which Shayna responded promptly and effectively. The construction crew arrived as promised, worked diligently, agreeably made on-​the-​spot revisions, and left the site in fastidious condition daily.
Six weeks later, we had a park-​like setting with pleasing berms, boulders, cobble creek beds traversed by a wooden bridge, and lighted wandering paths of soft decomposed granite and gravel. The centerpiece is a showcase Gold Medallion tree within a planter made from natural field stone. The plant palette is inspired with over sixteen drought tolerant species including pink muhly, crape myrtle, rock purselane, red fountain grass, orange sedge, copper canyon daisy, and blue chalk sticks. All are nourished by an efficient sub-​surface drip irrigation system covered by attractive bark. Our field had been transformed into a relaxing haven that attracts a bevy of butterflies and hummingbirds.
Eco MInded Solutions has continued to oversee their creation and correct minor issues without hesitation. We have thoroughly enjoyed our relationship with the firm and can’t say enough about the professionalism of everyone involved in this company. We highly recommend them without reservation.

The initial planning with this company went well. However, this being our first professional project, the understanding of what is stated in the contract and what is delivered has been educational.
First, this company will not do anything that is not expressly stated in the contract once signed. Go over your landscape plan and contract with them line by line and clarify any gaps. The verbal discussions you have do not replace what is in writing. Get them to update the contract to reflect those gaps. This means that you should specify the type and brand of materials in explicit detail (mulch brand, lighting brand, etc). Focus on site preparations and specific steps and details of that site preparation with this company. We had Bermuda grass before and we still have Bermuda grass growing along the drip lines of our xeric landscape. Plant quality review and inspection (substitute plants) prior to planting should be addressed in the contract. You are going to get a lien notice from the nursery when you receive delivery of the plants. Not sure what that is about, since it is the least cost part of the project, but it certainly gets your attention. Do not be surprised when it happens to you.
Onsite supervision was lacking for our project and we were not at home. If you can not be there, it would be worth it to hire someone who can be there during the job. There was very little communication during project execution. We did like their problem solving solutions around electrical and water access. They focused on the desired results with minimum complications. Our landscape design was intended to be minimal maintenance for us but that is not the case for the reasons mentioned above.

We had to get our backyard redone so we looked at this company due to their service that comprised of both design and construction. We liked the idea of a one stop shop and after looking at other competitors, their package pricing was hard to match. I reakky was torn in terms of giving them 3 or 4 stars. If i can choose, i would give them 3.5 stars but i will err on the higher end and give them 4 stars.
Pros:
1. The onsite crew and Project Manager were responsive, attentive and professional. We had an HOA complaint about the Porta potty and dumpster in the front of the house and they promptly removed them and took a longer walk to the restrooms at the clubhouse.
2. They are flexible with change orders and accommodates changes when requested. When we asked for additional lighting, it was added with ease.
3. The company offers a design and construction package so you have a one stop shop for any outdoor project.
Cons:
1. The designer recommended a stone for use of a cobblestone band that was inappropriate for the application that it was intended for. This resulted in rework and a change order that costed us an additional $ 750 to get the cobblestone the way it was envisioned. Though the company supposedly took part of the cost for this rework, this should never have happened since it should be assumed that when you hire a designer that the recommendations given are viable ones.
2. Though after the 2^nd attempt, the cobblestone looked 10x better, the transitions between the grout and concrete was still a bit messy and didnt have the clean lines I was expecting.
Overall, they did a good job. I just wished that during the design session, the designer spend a bit more time on the details to realize that the rock recommendation was incorrect instead of letting it be found during the build phase and costing additional costs on both ends.

We are very pleased with our front and backyard landscaping project by Eco. Barry, Dave, and their team provided a very professional and collaborative project from initial consulting, into design, and through construction, with professional back office support from Kathy on contracts and invoices. Our highly skilled foreman, Jose, and his team produced exceptional results on the flagstone hardscape and they executed the design on schedule. The entire team was very responsive to any of our questions or input. Bottom line, Eco Minded is a top notch team that takes pride in their work and produce excellent results.

After meeting with several landscape design companies, we decided to use Eco Minded Solutions to design our backyard. Maggie and Gustavo created a beautiful, clean, modern plan for our yard, exactly as we had hoped. Construction was fast, done ahead of schedule, and according to plan. Dave is great with making things work the way you want them to and is attentive to any changes or questions we had throughout the process. The crew of workers sent to our home was incredibly respectful, polite and hard working (a rarity with many landscaping companies). Another bonus is the post-​construction follow up, which lets you get any odds and ends items you find taken care of promptly. I would not hesitate to recommend Eco Minded Solutions to anyone looking for a clean, low maintenance design.

We chose Ecominded Solutions because of their wonderful reputation. They did not disappoint. We had them design our backyard. We had about two weeks before a large party and as they promised, it was done on time.
We were very impressed with all their workmen, their efficiency, the politeness, and cleanliness. Most of all, our yard looks great.
Thanks so much. It was a pleasure working with you, particularly Josh, Maggie and Miguel.

Eco Minded Solutions recently completed work on our backyard and my husband and I are very happy with the end result.
We found them at the Del Mar Home Show and were drawn to their unique designs. Every other vendor seemed to offer the same thing and their designs often looked like something we could come up with ourselves.
The yard design plan they created was really thoughtful and took into consideration everything we asked for. This was pretty good considering our yard is pretty small. I really appreciated the attention to detail in the design.
Before starting work we got 3 other bids. We first felt Eco’s bid was high (which it was) but after getting other bids it wasn’t by a huge margin. Ultimately for us the decision came down to the quality of the work. The other people we spoke to did come in cheaper but we were not confident they would execute the plans properly.
The beginning to end process was very easy and it was great working with them. We always knew what was going on and when to expect certain things. Everything was explained to us really well and the crews working on the yard were professional.
What suprised me the most is the follow up appointments after the job is completed. They will be coming back to check on the yard for the next few weeks to make sure the yard is still doing well. I wasn’t really expecting that so it was a nice surprise.

Wouldn’t say they’re the best or the worst, and had them do our front and back yard for demo, installing plants and irrigation. The blueprint process was far better than the construction phase, as the trees selected for our home were species that we would’ve never thought of and do work well with our space. If I had to do it all over again, I would consider completing a blueprint but then receiving bids from contractors /​vendors that specialize in their respective trades: plantings directly from a nursery, another contractor specifically for irrigation, etc.