Bon Terra Landscapes

We just finished a large front yard project with Bon Terra, and we could not be happier. Johnny's vision and Isaac and his crew's hard work and professionalism truly transformed the front of our home. The attention to detail and follow-up of any/all of our concerns through the process was immediately discussed and resolved (if necessary). From the new walls and stairs, wooden deck entry, new railings and drought and deer-resistant plantings, the workmanship is exemplary. And, to top it off, they are such a pleasure to work with!
Thank you, Bon Terra!!

Johnny and crew are awesome. A week ago they finished my backyard after doing my front yard a year ago. Very precise, detailed and high quality work for competitive pricing.

Johnny and his team (go Isaac) were fantastic. The design was spot-on.
The installation crew was great. They accommodated numerous changes throughout the process and have even come back post job to take care of a few issues that inevitably arise. Highly recommended!!!

Johnny's vision and his crew transformed our neglected backyard into a private sanctuary. We cannot be happier with the new wooden deck, flagstone patios, boulder retaining wall, a new fence that allow best utilization of the space while maximizing the view and providing privacy. They were absolutely professional and communicative and efficient throughout the whole process.

Built into a hillside, our house had major drainage problems that put the interior remodeling plan on hold. That's why we decided to tackle the landscape remodel first, making drainage a priority. The crew removed the old clogged and misplaced pipes and installed a new drainage system and rerouted the flow away from the house and down the hill. (We also had french drains done inside.) Our basement and the crawlspace have stayed dry all winter for the first time since we moved in.

They also planted low-maintenance, drought-resistant, mostly native plants and trees in our front and backyard with drip-irrigation. We don't get to enjoy the yard much during work week, and LED lighting with a timer makes it nice to come home to.

Bon Terra was hired to design and complete a straightforward renovation of my backyard and surrounding landscape. After delays and mishandling, the project fell several months past the completion date culminating in Bon Terra's breach of our contract and quitting altogether.

Despite making all payments in the tens of thousands of dollars on time and in accordance with the contract, I've been left with property damage and a landscape in complete disarray. A mature lemon tree is now dead and huge expensive rolls of artificial turf that I was required to purchase from Bon Terra were never installed and sit in my yard. The hardscape (concrete) that was actually completed is disappointingly inconsistent with the approved design. Additionally, they've defaulted on their agreement to install irrigation, earthwork, planting and carpentry resulting in complications for other contractors.

An early concern was that Bon Terra and crew only work 4 days a week. The undertaking of a pool refurb was advised by Bon Terra but in the wake of a delay with their suggested contractor, Bon Terra decided to take on other jobs because they would not maneuver around the pool project. Unquestionably, Bon Terra is inept of working around other contractors and has difficulty managing predictable problems. Considering the simple scope of the plan it really made no sense that my entire project be sidelined when trenching, grading, drainage, carpentry and form building could have easily been progressed over the course of the summer in concurrence with other work that was delayed.

Despite a litany of excuses, it was often that Johnny (Bon Terra's Owner) made mention of his prevailing plans for Mexico, fishing trips to Colorado, golf tournaments and his urgency to build a duck blind in Williams which were all clearly taking precedence over my project which sat abandoned for months.

Another insurmountable hurdle for Bon Terra was a single stump that I had already paid one of Johnny's contacts to remove, which he didn't. I had to hire and pay another contractor to do so. When I voiced my disappointment, Johnny followed up with an attempt to confront me in front of my child and later threatened to quit over an erroneous accusation that I was taking frustrations out on him.

Johnny suddenly advocated to use a subcontractor instead of his crew to complete the preeminent phase of the hardscape which finally had a green light. The options presented were that I either go along with it or face another long delay because of Bon Terra's other projects. Several weeks later the sub finally began work on the hardscape. Bon Terra requested that I submit full payment for this phase prior to completion which was not in-line with our contract. Out of good faith I sent payment for the full balance.

Subsequently, I realized that there were serious inconsistencies from the approved design. When I approached Johnny, I was immediately dismissed by his pomposity, condescension and arrogance which was followed by another threat to quit because, "I was too difficult to deal with".

Weeks later the forms were totally completed, inconsistent to the approved geometry. With just hours before the first pour of concrete, Johnny asked me whether or not I wanted to delete the section of the patio that he screwed up on altogether or re-form according to the original approved design at an additional cost with an added long delay. A stunning impropriety considering this mistake could have easily been mitigated before the forms were completed.

Weeks later Johnny finally showed up with a very hostile attitude. He asked where I wanted posts placed to repair the gate they previously demolished. Our original agreement entailed he would design and build a new structure but since he was now leaving this job in the dust, his new intent was to build it back using the existing damaged lumber. When asked for his advisement he replied, "I'm not advising you on anything" and demanded that I draw him exactly what I wanted with his pad and paper. That was the last time I saw Johnny because he finally received the scolding he long deserved at which time he did finally quit.

In 25 years of professionally working with contractors I'm extremely disappointed on how this project was handled. I found Bon Terra to be completely incompetent of professionally managing a routine project that should have been well within the scope of their purported professional history.

Johnny's personal conduct was also objectionable, he had no shortage of disparaging comments about his fellow contractors which undermined my confidence in them. The same can be said about his routine characterizations about clients in a demeaning manner, myself included.

If you value your property and livelihood you should definitely cross this company off your list.

By virtue of their unethical business practices my family and I have been denied the enjoyable use of our backyard and surrounding landscape indefinitely.

Two stars because Lisa did return my call. I had high hopes to talk to Bon Terra based on their reviews and customer comments about doing even small jobs, advice against a huge project and staying within budgets. I have a large level backyard 4,000+ sq ft. Lisa emailed me "We are a design/build construction company geared for projects with starting budgets of approximately $40k". Not so sure I'd trust theses reviews. Maybe that's why they only have a few reviews in the last couple years.
It took 24 hours to get a reply to my phone call to try to give them business. It took less than 12 hours to get a reply to a criticism, now one star. Service starts as soon as a customer contacts you. Congratulations you can make judgements by email and select your customers.

Not clear that this company is actually operational, or maybe just not interested in responding to inquiries. I recently moved to Corte Madera and emailed as well as called (left a voicemail) for a landscape overhaul at my house, no response, and in their same town no less. Silver lining: better to find out sooner than later, before contracting!

Johnny at Bon Terra Landscapes is the greatest. I had a very small job - a small front yard - but he agreed to do it for me anyway.

I also showed him my large(r) backyard on a 50% grade and talked about my plans for it... Johnny actually advised me AGAINST a huge project and encouraged making the most of what I have by just cleaning it up with some natural landscaping. What contractor downsells you??? Well, apparently, Johnny - when he thinks a smaller project makes the most sense.

Huge kudos. So stop looking. This is the guy to call.

We found Johnny on Yelp and immediately liked him. He had a real practical approach to our landscaping desires, and a willingness to work within our small budget.
He broke the plan up into parts so it was palatable and evan kept his patience when I couldn't make up my mind.
Our project looks fantastic and we are beyond pleased. He did exactly what we wanted! We're already plotting phase 2 and will definitely work with Johnny again.

I purchased my house knowing that my backyard needed a lot of work. It was a hodgepodge of overgrown shrubs on a hillside that was in-accessible, a concrete slab from the 60's, retaining walls that were crumbling, an assortment of potted plants and a random splattering of multiple different types of gravel.

I found Johnny on Yelp and decided to discuss my backyard redo with both him and another local landscaping company. Both companies had good ideas, but Johnny was clearly the one to go with. He was very warm and approachable, professional, creative and obviously very knowledgeable. His practical approach to my project was what ultimately made me decide to go with Bon Terra. I was set on a few things and Johnny questioned why I would spend the money on them out of the gate. He really took the time to understand how I planned to utilize the space before he recommended anything. The other company was happy simply providing me with a proposal.

I was very impressed with the proposal he provided, the project was clearly scoped out, each line item was very detailed, and he took the time to go through it with me. I will share that Johnny and his crew were very busy and it did take a few months from when I signed the contract for them to start the project (they clearly are in demand), but it was well worth the wait.

When the project kicked off I expanded the scope significantly and Johnny was very patient with me. He talked me through the additions, while always being sure to remind me of my budget so I did not go overboard.

Johnny's crew was hard working, efficient, friendly and very respectful, each day they made a point to clean up the site, even during demolition. I could not believe how fast they got the project done once they started. It was an amazing process to watch.

The final project included a new flagstone patio and steps, a lawn, and stairs to a hillside garden that Johnny planted with low water native plants that fit in perfect with my existing plantings. They also installed a new retaining wall, drainage, irrigation and lighting. My new backyard is absolutely beautiful and really changed the overall look of my property. It looks well planned and finished. I would highly recommend Johnny and his crew!