Koch & Associates, Inc. is a full-service landscape contractor that serves all sizes of residential properties in Santa Clara, San Mateo and Alameda Counties. The company has more than 40 years of experience designing and building projects that include all aspects of landscape construction.
Owner Doug Koch says Koch & Associates’ customer-oriented approach to landscaping has been a key factor in its success. “We work closely with our clients so we can determine exactly what they want to achieve and help them bring those concepts to life. At the end of the day, our job is to provide them with landscapes and outdoor living spaces that they will enjoy for many years.”
Since 1978, Koch & Associates has utilized its design-build capabilities to streamline the entire landscaping process and offer the best service to its clients. “The design aspect of landscaping is critically important because the design dictates the flow of the yard and defines how all elements will be incorporated,” says Mr. Koch. “Since we offer both design and construction, we can ensure that each client’s goals are met.”
“Our customers are the number one reason we’re in business, so we always do what we say we’re going to do and make sure they’re happy with every part of our work. We believe everyone deserves to have a quality landscape project that has a thoughtful, solution-oriented design that’s built by experienced professionals and fits within a budget they’re comfortable with.”
Know what you want from your landscaping project before any work begins.
When it comes to planning a landscaping project, it’s just as important to determine and prioritize your specific needs as it is to know the physical attributes of your site. By taking your current and future expectations into account, you’ll be able to maximize your landscape’s usefulness over the years. Before planning your next landscaping project, consider the following tips:
Start with (and maintain) focal points.
At its best, a focal point directs you visually and makes you feel surprised at, moved by or engaged with the garden experience. Many people think of using a specimen tree or statue as a focal point, but there are several other possibilities. The key is to find something that’s different from the rest of your landscape in form, texture or color. It should be somehow connected to the rest of the landscape, either through a repeated shape/color or a connection to the overall style. Scale is also important—if your landscape is several acres with broad vistas, an ancient oak would be a good focal point. In a small urban lot, a garden bench or small statue would be better.
Accent your house.
Unless your house is an architectural masterpiece, it can always benefit from some thoughtful plantings to soften its edges and help it blend with its surroundings. Even the smallest starter home usually has at least one interesting architectural feature, so find a design that highlights it.
Note existing plants and trees in relation to the landscape design.
Do some trees need to be removed or changed? Will shade from existing trees affect plant selection, pond placement or activity areas? Do you want more shade in certain areas? Make sure you know the answers to these questions before accepting a final design.
Don’t get complacent.
Rather than designing around overgrown shrubbery, established trees or a worn-out deck, consider removing them. You may discover new possibilities, such as a sunny spot for a vegetable garden or rose bed.
Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for landscaping companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Koch & Associates, Inc., keeping clients happy comes down to two factors: providing quality work at a fair price and taking responsibility for the success of every project. “We’re motivated by helping our clients achieve their landscaping goals,” says owner Doug Koch. “By helping them take their ideas from concept to completion, we can ensure they’re satisfied with every aspect of the process."
Koch & Associates has been providing landscaping services for residential clients in Santa Clara and Alameda Counties since 1978. The company has the training and equipment to handle every step of the landscaping process in-house, from the initial designs to installing plants, water features, irrigation systems, outdoor lighting and more.
Unlike less experienced landscape contractors that take a “one size fits all” approach to every job in an effort to maximize their workload volume, Koch & Associates takes the time to work out the details of each project so it can ensure the best possible results. “We start by meeting with the client and discussing what they want to do and what type of investment they’re willing to make,” explains Mr. Koch. “Once we have those details, we can create a plan that achieves their goals and guide them through the process of creating the yard of their dreams."
Koch & Associates further differentiates itself from its competition by planning each landscaping project for the long term. “We’ve been in this business for a long time, so we have the advantage of going back to previous clients and seeing how their landscapes hold up and change over time,” says Mr. Koch. “ We know what works and what doesn’t, and our clients really appreciate having that type of expertise on their side.”
