Stonebrook Landscapes

The first thing we want to say is «ditto» to everyone else’s positive reviews, except multiply them by 10. Yes, they really are that good.
From the first design concept to final execution, the experience was educational, collaborative, and fun. Juan and Brooks each provided a design, which they created independently, so as not to influence each other. Their process is ingenious as we were then able to take parts we liked best from each design. For example, for the back yard, we knew we wanted a covered patio space, but had two issues: (1) if the patio extended from the house, due to our pie-​shaped yard, it would need to be smaller than we wanted or oddly shaped; and (2) our house is generally dark inside, such that we worried that a patio extending from the house would make our house even darker. In Juan’s design, he came up with a stand-​alone Casita (brilliant as it solved both problems). In Brooks’ design, he came up with a latticed patio (lattice covers do not have the same setback requirements as a covered structure and lets in light, so it also brilliantly solved both problems). We liked both ideas so much that we incorporated both into the final design, i.e., a stand-​alone Casita with a latticed patio extending from the Casita. But as impressed as we were with the great designs and thoughtful ideas, the finished product was beyond anything we could have imagined. I’ll let the attached pictures speak for themselves.
My husband and I each had special requests. Mine was an outdoor sink as we are avid gardeners. His was a rain catchment system. While they had never installed a rain catchment system before, they did their homework, figured out the engineering, and then perfectly executed the installation. And after just one big rainfall, both tanks were full. It didn’t matter what we threw at them. They masterfully incorporated our ideas and wish lists into an overall beautiful and thoughtful design. Also, they might be the best concrete layers out there. They laid concrete for our rain catchment platform, Casita/​patio floor and the kitchen countertop and all are absolutely flawless (I’ve never seen concrete look so pretty).
For the front yard, because of the drought, we took out all of our grass and asked to have it replaced by drought tolerant and low maintenance plants. We pretty much let Juan and Brooks have a free hand at selecting the plants and their placement and we are so glad that we did.
Last, but not least, we cannot say enough about their crew. They are ALL the most polite, thoughtful, responsible, dedicated, caring and hard-​working people you will have ever encountered. And it’s not just because they showed up every day and completed the project on time (which alone puts them at the top 1% for contractors). It’s because they take pride in their work and it shows, not only in their finished products, but in their great attitudes and the way they provide their services. They went above and beyond every day.
And what’s also so great is that it’s clear that everyone has so much respect for each other. It was like being part of a big, loving family that you really enjoy having around. It doesn’t get any more top notch than Stonebrook and I can’t imagine that it’s possible that you could have a better experience or end product by using anyone else.

I saw Stonebrook on Unilocal and selected them from four bids to tear-​up our concrete and flag driveway and replace with pavers, re-​landscape and re-​irrigate the front yard, and build a 80′ block wall with a gate. It was about four weeks of work. To quickly sum it up, they are organized, efficient and just do things the right way.
After a few days in, I didn’t even worry about telling them exactly how I wanted everything since I could tell they would come up with a better layout themselves, and wouldn’t cut corners in the process. If an issue came up, they just fixed it. Their work quality is great and they are as good as I’ve seen for follow-​up. Many contractors have such poor service that just doing what they say they are going to do warrants five stars since it’s become so rare and the grading curve has become so low. Juan and his team deserved 5 stars for their work on my project on any grading scale — and the pictures of his work speak for themselves.
In early January with the rains, a couple of months after their work was finished, we had an issue with tree roots backing up a storm drain in the backyard and slowing the draining of the front — not Juan’s problem, but he was out there himself in the rain within an hour of our call with one of his crew fixing it just to make sure that his front landscaping would stay intact. They just do things the right way for their customers.

If you are looking for a landscaper, look no further. You won’t be disappointed with Stonebrook Landscaping. We got several bids for our backyard and overall we decided on Stonebrook because of their confidence, conceptual design and top notch customer service. Our back yard included a complete demo and the addition of new irrigation, drainage, a glass fence, patio with a raised portion, built in BBQ, firepit, a golf green, waterfall, new landscaping and lighting. It is beyond beautiful and very enjoyable to relax and entertain. We were so pleased with the work we asked Juan to complete our front yard as well. We get compliment after compliment from people who come over. There are so many landscapers to choose from but Juan and team go above and beyond, stick to the schedule and create masterpieces. Thanks you so much caring and being an expert in your field.

I like many others who reviewed, went on Unilocal when I decided to update my backyard. I found such wonderful, great reviews of Stonebrook I immediately called them. It was after business hours, but I received a call back within a day or two of leaving a message. Juan and Brooks came over to look at my yard (which was more like an awful jungle) and told us our options. We decided to have them design plans for us. What I really liked about them was their honesty. Our project was a huge one and I would sometimes think of extras that would be nice, but they were there to say «Is it really worth the extra cost». I always felt they had my best interest. Once construction began, the excitement began. All the teams they had for the different jobs were very nice and courteous. Juan and Brooks were constantly in touch with me and kept me up to date on what was going on. The outcome of the project was far above my initial expectations. I feel like I live in paradise! My backyard is so comforting with the water feature, the fire pit, and the palapa. In addition, they are very open and willing to come out after completion if you have questions or further request. If you are looking for landscaping and live in the San Marcos/​Carlsbad area I highly recommend Stonebrook.

It is SO HARD to find a good landscaper nowadays. Usually they’re flakey or just don’t even show up to the appointments. I was using Unilocal to look up landscapers and found Stonebrook Landscapes. I reached out to Juan (who is the owner) and he is a class act guy. He was VERY helpful in answering questions and seemed genuinely interested in what I was saying and looking for in my backyard. Unfortunately, he informed me that he doesn’t do work in my area but to please contact him if I had any questions regarding his designs online. I loved his designs and have contacted him a few times and have been simply amazed that he went well out of his way to assist me knowing we were out of his region and he wouldn’t be doing work for us. If I lived in San Diego, Juan would be getting all my landscaping work forever! Anyone that reads this (and the other positive reviews) and sees the amazing work Juan and his team does, I’m sure you’ll make the right choice and choose Stonebrook Landscapes for whatever your landscaping needs are.
Thanks again Juan!

I am looking to redo my backyard and I called Stonebrook because of all the positive reviews they have received on Unilocal!I was out of there area and they where booked solid, so I am not able to use them, but Brooks took the time to ask me very relevant questions trying to understand what I am looking to accomplish so he could recommend someone to help me accomplish my goals. For him to go out of way and
spend a good 10 – 15 minutes with me discussing a project that he will never see says a lot about them in my opinion. I see why so many people enjoyed working with this company. Thanks for the great advice Brooks!

Stonebrook Landscapes did a small patio for us. The work was done fast and the results were superb. Juan Dorta-​Duque, the owner of the company, a true landscaping artist and professional, is always responsive to your needs and helps you design and realize the yard that you want. He is always checking on site to make sure the work is progressing as scheduled and as designed. His crew is extremely hard working, organized and knowledgeable in their areas, whether it be concrete, plants, electricity or irrigation. If you want a company that will give you an honest estimate, and timely complete an excellent and beautiful landscaping project, Stonebrook is it.

Juan and team just completed our yard overhaul. They were neat, clean, attentative and timely. We love our new yard adn cant wait to host the next BBQ. Thank you StoneBrook.
— Nicole Broderick

We chose to work with Stonebrook after hearing good things from our two neighbors who used them. It was one of the best decisions we made after moving into our brand new home. We did not have any landscaping and they helped us design our ideal backyard and front yard. Juan listened to our needs and design preferences and presented us with the plan. He gave us ideas and suggestions on different ways to make our needs work with our budget. I found it very helpful that Brooks took me to the nursery and showed me the different plants we could incorporate in the landscaping since I wasn’t familiar with the plants in San Diego.
Working with their crew was also another pleasant experience. They were courteous and friendly… always making sure we were happy with their work. They cleaned up and put their tools away neatly everyday before leaving. They finished on time just as they said they would.
We highly recommend Stonebrook. If I had another landscape project, I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again.

We discovered Stonebrook Landscapes at the San Diego Lawn & Garden Show in March, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds; and were very impressed with their work. We subsequently researched the company on Unilocal,and were very pleased with the reviews. You can now add us to their growing list of happy and satisfied customers.
Once we settled on a budget and design, including: stamped concrete, artificial turf, decomposed granite (not recommended, unless you’re okay tracking loose gravel everywhere), mow strips, boulders, trees, plants, a fire pit, waterfall, and patio cover, we were ready to begin.
Our backyard landscaping project began on June 1^st, and was completed on time, on budget, as promised, on June 19^th. Juan (Owner) and his crew, are true professionals — friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. At the end of each work day, his crew cleans up the work site immaculately. Juan was on-​site nearly every day to ensure the project went smoothly. He returns phone calls immediately. He is passionate about his business, and he really knows his stuff. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Stonebrook to our friends and family.

If you are looking for a great landscaping crew these guys are top notch. Juan and Brooks turned our overgrown backyard into a masterpiece in three days and were great to work with along the way. They both made our vision come true and provided helpful consultation and feedback along the way. Also, they delivered on their promise– getting it done on time and on budget (we actually went over but that was because of upgrades we decided we wanted). All in all, go with these guys if you want quality, honesty, and a good looking yard.

I wish we could give 6 stars!
We found Stonebrook Landscape on Unilocal.We chose a few landscapers to get bids from (all of which were very close in price) but immediately felt comfortable with Juan and Brooks. They listened to our wants, asked questions and gave their professional input and insight.
Every day the team arrived to our home on time, worked hard and were very professional. The end of every day they cleaned up completely. Juan and/​or Brooks showed up to our home every day to check progress and make sure we did not have any questions and were happy.
Throughout the entire process Juan and Brooks responded immediately to any questions we had. The communication was absolutely top notch… only topped by the quality of the work being done in our yard!
Our job finished on time and the attention to every detail is evident. Our yard is amazing and exceeded every expectation. Stonebrook Landscape did not only give us a yard, but an amazing extension of our home where we will spend the majority of our time… they made our backyard into an oasis.
We cannot recommend Stonebrook Landscape highly enough. This is a business of true integrity and they do exactly what they say they are going to do. Absolute first rate!

Similar to another Unilocaler, I contacted Juan for a reference as I estimated my job to be under $ 25K. Within 24 hours, Juan had responded with a referral! Now that’s just great relationship and business acumen!

Wow, we are so lucky to have had Stonebrook do our landscaping. Juan and Brooks were amazing to work with– easily reachable, on site daily, and the crew is top notch. I appreciated that they cleaned up each night. They came in on time and on budget! The design they came up with really maximized our backyard and added value to our house. We hardly ever used our yard before, and in the week since Stonebrook finished up we have used our yard everyday.

Thank you for the reference to Teo. He did a fantastic job on my landscape and irrigation make-​over. Your very helpful referral is greatly appreciated.

Working with Juan and Chris was a fantastic experience from start to finish. We had moved into a brand new home with dirt surrounding us, and within 8 weeks Stonebrook Landscapes had created a dream come true for our outdoor living. This space truly became an extension of our home from front to back. They worked with us from the initial stages of concept design, drawings, and material selection through the construction process, and painstakingly wrapped up every last detail to our complete satisfaction.
My wife a young, stay at home mom felt very comfortable every day seeing the same faces of crew members who were polite, clean, and kind (they even helped her in a pinch when she flooded our new laundry room). Their craftsmanship and attention to detail was unparalleled; they were kind enough to surprise us with extra lighting under our BBQ island.
Juan, the owner of the company, was on site nearly every day, and no job was to little for him. He was out there helping his crew frequently, and even personally took us to the nursery to help us select all of our plants for our project. He and his son Chris were always in tune with our likes and were able to help us add to our project along the way (at our request).
Juan, Chris and their crew are worth any wait for their level of professionalism, creativity, and craftsmanship. We couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome and having the opportunity to work with such wonderful people.
A note about our project, it included:
–A custom courtyard in front, with travertine entryway, and custom gate
–A custom BBQ island and bar with travertine counters and Mangaris wrapped exterior
–A custom Mangaris wall with TV/​cabinet under a covered patio for a cozy dining area
–An elevated travertine patio with stone covered fireplace and Mangaris wrapped bench seating
–Large lawn, surrounded by additional plants and custom built vegetable beds
–Carved path into slope with numerous fruit trees
–Lighting, lighting and more lighting

Juan and his son Chris anchor a very impressive small business.
I met with four different friend-​recommended patio designers/​contractors and with only the 5-​star Unilocal intro to Stonebrook, they won the job, hands down.
We completely redid our front and back yards to take advantage of our great views. Juan and Chris not only impressed my wife and me with there straightforward and friendly approach, but also their professionalism and total dedication to our satisfaction — The job involved 10s of thousands of dollars and from beginning to end, Stonebrook kept all promises they made, went the extra mile, and we couldn’t be happier with our result.
Painless!
In fact, Juan’s entire team (sometimes there were 6 – 8 employees at our home) were ALWAYS helpful, courteous and professional. We did a firepit, bbq area, extensive cement walkways, all new plants, grass, drip systems and a very nice water feature. We also did new designer wood fencing, some gates and lighting.
It’s great to find a family-​owned business with such a service-​oriented attitude that combined the ability to get things done, get them done right, and beautifully. .. as well as on time — and with no money surprises!
just great

This review is only regarding customer service.
I had a small job that isn’t right for this company (too small, basic gardening). However the gentlemen I spoke to still listened to what I needed and gave me some awesome recommendations of who to call. So grateful! Well definitely be calling them in the fall for a large hardscape project we want to do!

We spoke to quite a few landscapers. Although Stonebrook required a design fee, it was well worth it. Once we got the designs and ideas that we could get, it was harder to go with another landscaper. They just didn’t understand the aspects that we felt were captured with additions from Chris and Juan.
I can’t begin to explain how important it was for us that Juan was responsive throughout the entire process too. The quick response time was very critical for us, and Juan did a great job with timeliness and providing additional information for a better understanding of the process.
The concept was incredible, and the finished design is even nicer! ;0) We can’t believe it’s completed and how great it looks too. We have had numerous compliments and absolutely love that it all came together so nicely.
Juan helped make suggestions and improvements along the way too. Some changes decreased the original price design and allowed us to have more flexibility and pricing for additional plans that were originally going to be phased out. Along with that, we were pleased with the efficiency of the project progress and completion. Our neighbors were impressed how quickly it was done as well.
If that isn’t enough, Juan is very approachable and upfront. He will help with recommendations that better suit you, even if you don’t know it yourself.
Thank you very much Juan and Chris! I never imagined the design coming together so beautifully! ;0)

We first met Juan from Stonebrook Landscapes at the spring Home and Garden Show. We planned to replace our fence with something non traditional, walked by his booth and were captivated. There was the succulent wall I had wanted and a beautiful ipe and stainless steel fence. Juan gave us a reasonable bid and completed the job today. The fence is a piece of art, our new cedar deck and stairway are showpieces. All the irrigation works well and the succulent wall will stand up well to time because of it’s sturdy construction.
The crew is pleasant and I can’t emphasize this enough — tidy! The yard was always washed clean and tools were put away when they finished for the day. Most importantly they are craftsmen! Their work is meticulously detailed and beautiful.
I wholeheartedly recommend these guys. We have worked with contractors many times over our lives and have never had this kind of positive experience. We will use them again for the next project!