We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of general contractor services that are customizable to each individual project. You will find us to be competitively priced, paying close attention to the details of each project that we are involved with. We look forward to building lasting relationships and guarantee your satisfaction!
"No comment"
John L on April 2019
We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of general contractor services that are customizable to each individual project. You will find us to be competitively priced, paying close attention to the details of each project that we are involved with. We look forward to building lasting relationships and guarantee your satisfaction!
"No comment"
John L on April 2019
We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. We offer a variety of lawn care and landscaping services that are customizable to each individual property. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work as well as our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building lasting relationships with our clients and guarantee your satisfaction!
"He does quality work and always listens to my ideas and what I want done, on time and professional, he follows through and does good quality work"
Susan C on January 2019
We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity in all aspects of our business. We offer a variety of lawn care and landscaping services that are customizable to each individual property. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work as well as our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building lasting relationships with our clients and guarantee your satisfaction!
"He does quality work and always listens to my ideas and what I want done, on time and professional, he follows through and does good quality work"
Susan C on January 2019
BRUTAL EXCAVATING is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade, combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.
"Barrett was professional and exceeded our expectations. He showed up on time, and completed the project in a timely manner and on budget. The homesite and building pad was prepared perfectly! I highly recommend Brutal Excavating for all your earthwork needs!"
David C on May 2022
BRUTAL EXCAVATING is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade, combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.
"Barrett was professional and exceeded our expectations. He showed up on time, and completed the project in a timely manner and on budget. The homesite and building pad was prepared perfectly! I highly recommend Brutal Excavating for all your earthwork needs!"
David C on May 2022
We are dedicated to providing our clients with the very best in excavation and building site services. We specialize in residential and commercial services and take pride in the attention to detail put into each of the projects we're involved with. We're known for our quality work and the integrity of our business. We look forward to building long-term relationships with our clients, and guarantee your satisfaction.
"Carlos and his team did an amazing job. Very punctual, and clean. Carlos explained everything that needed to be done, and why. Carlos was very reasonably priced and fair. I highly recommend Carlos and will be using him again for an upcoming project."
Eddie C on August 2021
We are dedicated to providing our clients with the very best in excavation and building site services. We specialize in residential and commercial services and take pride in the attention to detail put into each of the projects we're involved with. We're known for our quality work and the integrity of our business. We look forward to building long-term relationships with our clients, and guarantee your satisfaction.
"Carlos and his team did an amazing job. Very punctual, and clean. Carlos explained everything that needed to be done, and why. Carlos was very reasonably priced and fair. I highly recommend Carlos and will be using him again for an upcoming project."
Eddie C on August 2021
At RIssakhani we are committed to providing the highest quality in workmanship and professional courtesy. We specialize in all phases of Commercial and Residential landscape construction with an emphasis in General Engineering. Our outstanding results and communication with our clients paves our path to success. We look forward to working with you!
"Robert and MeDíko are a great team to work with. They listened carefully to what we envisioned while discussing the pros and cons of preserving our yard’s favorite mature trees and bushes. The project was completed well ahead of our expectations. Both the rocks and each plant were chosen with care. Upon delivery of the materials for the yard, it was obvious that each individual rock and plant was carefully selected for its shape, size, and appearance. I understood that three nurseries were visited in search of the right plants for our design. Once the project was started, the crew worked efficiently and neatly. Both Robert and Mediko were available on site managing the work or were checking in with us to answer any concerns or questions. Basically they held our hands during the whole job from start to finish, We are thrilled with the landscape job. The Issakhanis provided the best professional customer service possible."
sharon s on March 2025
At RIssakhani we are committed to providing the highest quality in workmanship and professional courtesy. We specialize in all phases of Commercial and Residential landscape construction with an emphasis in General Engineering. Our outstanding results and communication with our clients paves our path to success. We look forward to working with you!
"Robert and MeDíko are a great team to work with. They listened carefully to what we envisioned while discussing the pros and cons of preserving our yard’s favorite mature trees and bushes. The project was completed well ahead of our expectations. Both the rocks and each plant were chosen with care. Upon delivery of the materials for the yard, it was obvious that each individual rock and plant was carefully selected for its shape, size, and appearance. I understood that three nurseries were visited in search of the right plants for our design. Once the project was started, the crew worked efficiently and neatly. Both Robert and Mediko were available on site managing the work or were checking in with us to answer any concerns or questions. Basically they held our hands during the whole job from start to finish, We are thrilled with the landscape job. The Issakhanis provided the best professional customer service possible."
sharon s on March 2025
Landscape design and installation. All phases (softscape/hardscape). Owner operated. Multi -year Angie's List Super Service Award winner. Cal-poly trained landscape architecture designers. Free design consultations. Free written estimates and proposals. All sized projects. Sprinkler and other landscape repairs. New sod lawns. Hand selected guaranteed nursery stock planting, drought tolerant landscaping, synthetic turf. Serving the entire Silicon Valley. Fast turn-around. Friendly service. Fully insured. Accepting all major credit cards and online payment apps. State of California licensed landscape contractor (C-27) since 1993 (CSLB #682755). Quality-Value-Service "Great landscaping designed to budget!" "The art and science of great landscaping!" Composite and wood decking. Arbors and pergolas. Drought friendly landscaping, Automatic drip and spray irrigation systems. Irrigation timer clocks/controllers. Redwood and composite decking. Interlocking pavers. Retainer walls. Concrete. L.E.D. low volt landscape lighting. Drainage. Flagstone. Brickwork. Outdoor kitchens. Firepits. Gravel. Mulch. Tile. Water features. Boulders, River rock. Pool decks. Pool Removal. Pergolas. Arbors Irrigation and landscape lighting repairs, fences and gates. ...and more! ask about our new "Express Build" "Complete landscaping in record time!"
"In September 2024, I contracted with Scott C. McIntyre, the owner of Landscape Solutions to do landscaping work at my residence in Los Altos, Ca. The work consisted of replacing existing retaining walls and steps in my back yard and installing a new patio on an already flattened area on the hill in my back yard. Mr. McIntyre declared the work completed on November 4, 2024 although there remained issues with incomplete and substandard work and failure to adhere to rules imposed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). I have filed a complaint (currently not resolved) with the CSLB. I paid Landscape Solutions $56,385.41 of a Total Contract Estimate cost of $58,790.00 (with a not to exceed clause of $60,000) with final payment to be made when the project was completed to my satisfaction. The project was never completed to my satisfaction with some (not all) of the outstanding issues described in this review. ISSUES WITH WORK QUALITY - NON-CODE COMPLIANT, SUBSTANDARD, NOT COMPLETE 1. The Guard Rail over the lower retaining wall is not building code compliant. The most serious issue with the work that Landscape Solutions did was that the guard rail built over a retaining wall does not meet building code and is not child safe. A picture of the guard rail is shown in the review I posted on Yelp (posted with a one star rating on January 20, 2025), but I am not able to show a picture on an Angi's List review. The guard rail is made up of vertical posts spaced approximately 45 inches apart and two horizontal rails between the vertical posts. The upper horizontal rail above the surface of the newly built patio forms the top of the guard rail. A second horizontal rail below it is halfway between surface of the patio and the top of the guard rail, leaving two large gaps between the horizontal rails, each gap approximately 19 inches wide. Code dictates the maximum gap in the guard rail is 4 inches. A child could easily fall through the large gap in the guard rail to the level below. A baby crawling on the patio could plunge head first off the patio to the lower level and be seriously injured. I emailed a picture of the completed retaining wall and guard rail to my city's Building Code Enforcement Division and inquired if it was building code compliant. A Code Enforcement Division representative replied with an email message (Client can provide the actual email message). Following text is from the email message: "The rail needs to be 42" high and there needs to be a maximum of 4" between the horizontal rails. The fence as shown does not meet the standards and intermediate rails need to be added." -----End of quote from email message sent by city's Code Enforcement Division------- NOTE: ALLOWING A CONTRACTOR WHO DOES NOT KNOW THE BUILDING CODES TO BE LICENSED PUTS THE PUBLIC IN DANGER. 2. Incomplete and substandard work i. There are areas with no pavers, just dirt, adjacent to the lower retaining wall. Contractor fixed some but not all areas along the newly built lower retaining wall. A picture showing an example of this issue is shown on my Yelp review but I am not able to show a picture on an Angi's List review. The picture shows where paving stones should have been installed next to the retaining wall. ii. Gate not installed in lower retaining wall. The retaining wall that was being replaced had a gate. I called this to Mr. McIntyre's attention in a reply message to his message that the project was complete. He replied in an email message that he would replace the gate. iii. In doing the work, Landscape Solutions workers moved items (e.g., wooden glider bench, other patio benches, chairs, patio table, an umbrella stand) from the flattened hill area to other parts of the back yard. I requested that the items be returned to their original locations. Mr. McIntyre, in an email message, agreed to do so. This was not done. Returning items moved to their original location should be a standard part of Landscape Solutions clean-up work upon completion of a project. ISSUES WITH NON-ADHERENCE TO CONTRACTORS STATE LICENSE BOARD REGULATIONS In items 3 and 4 below, quoted text is from Contractors State Licensing Board publication "Contracting for Success", which was downloaded from the CSLB website. 3. Contractor did not give buyer a copy of the signed contract as CSLB requires. "Before any work is started, the contractor must give the buyer a copy of the contract signed and dated by both the contractor and the buyer." 4. On the day work began, Contractor asked for payment of $15,000 along with the signed contract. "Except for a down payment, a contractor can't demand or accept payment for work or materials until the work is actually done or the materials are delivered. The down payment may not exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract amount, whichever is less." Contractor gave following reason why he asked for $15000 at start of project. Quote is directly from an email message he sent client. Client can provide the actual email message. Text of email message from Mr. McIntyre, in quotes: "My son is out of state at college and it is very expensive. My cash flow and bank account funds do not allow me to pay for your materials before delivery and pay my payroll in advance of getting paid by you if this is what the CSLB requires." --------End of quote from email message sent by Mr. McIntyre-------------- 5. Contractor made additional changes not in contract without a change order being added to the contract. Contractor's office manager then billed client for the unauthorized work. The Contractors State Licensing Board publication "Terms of Agreement A Consumer Guide to Home Improvement Contracts" (downloaded from the CSLB website) states the following: "Extra Work and Change Orders become part of the contract once the order is prepared in writing and signed by the parties prior to the commencement of any work covered by the new change order.""
Terry E on February 2025
Landscape design and installation. All phases (softscape/hardscape). Owner operated. Multi -year Angie's List Super Service Award winner. Cal-poly trained landscape architecture designers. Free design consultations. Free written estimates and proposals. All sized projects. Sprinkler and other landscape repairs. New sod lawns. Hand selected guaranteed nursery stock planting, drought tolerant landscaping, synthetic turf. Serving the entire Silicon Valley. Fast turn-around. Friendly service. Fully insured. Accepting all major credit cards and online payment apps. State of California licensed landscape contractor (C-27) since 1993 (CSLB #682755). Quality-Value-Service "Great landscaping designed to budget!" "The art and science of great landscaping!" Composite and wood decking. Arbors and pergolas. Drought friendly landscaping, Automatic drip and spray irrigation systems. Irrigation timer clocks/controllers. Redwood and composite decking. Interlocking pavers. Retainer walls. Concrete. L.E.D. low volt landscape lighting. Drainage. Flagstone. Brickwork. Outdoor kitchens. Firepits. Gravel. Mulch. Tile. Water features. Boulders, River rock. Pool decks. Pool Removal. Pergolas. Arbors Irrigation and landscape lighting repairs, fences and gates. ...and more! ask about our new "Express Build" "Complete landscaping in record time!"
"In September 2024, I contracted with Scott C. McIntyre, the owner of Landscape Solutions to do landscaping work at my residence in Los Altos, Ca. The work consisted of replacing existing retaining walls and steps in my back yard and installing a new patio on an already flattened area on the hill in my back yard. Mr. McIntyre declared the work completed on November 4, 2024 although there remained issues with incomplete and substandard work and failure to adhere to rules imposed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). I have filed a complaint (currently not resolved) with the CSLB. I paid Landscape Solutions $56,385.41 of a Total Contract Estimate cost of $58,790.00 (with a not to exceed clause of $60,000) with final payment to be made when the project was completed to my satisfaction. The project was never completed to my satisfaction with some (not all) of the outstanding issues described in this review. ISSUES WITH WORK QUALITY - NON-CODE COMPLIANT, SUBSTANDARD, NOT COMPLETE 1. The Guard Rail over the lower retaining wall is not building code compliant. The most serious issue with the work that Landscape Solutions did was that the guard rail built over a retaining wall does not meet building code and is not child safe. A picture of the guard rail is shown in the review I posted on Yelp (posted with a one star rating on January 20, 2025), but I am not able to show a picture on an Angi's List review. The guard rail is made up of vertical posts spaced approximately 45 inches apart and two horizontal rails between the vertical posts. The upper horizontal rail above the surface of the newly built patio forms the top of the guard rail. A second horizontal rail below it is halfway between surface of the patio and the top of the guard rail, leaving two large gaps between the horizontal rails, each gap approximately 19 inches wide. Code dictates the maximum gap in the guard rail is 4 inches. A child could easily fall through the large gap in the guard rail to the level below. A baby crawling on the patio could plunge head first off the patio to the lower level and be seriously injured. I emailed a picture of the completed retaining wall and guard rail to my city's Building Code Enforcement Division and inquired if it was building code compliant. A Code Enforcement Division representative replied with an email message (Client can provide the actual email message). Following text is from the email message: "The rail needs to be 42" high and there needs to be a maximum of 4" between the horizontal rails. The fence as shown does not meet the standards and intermediate rails need to be added." -----End of quote from email message sent by city's Code Enforcement Division------- NOTE: ALLOWING A CONTRACTOR WHO DOES NOT KNOW THE BUILDING CODES TO BE LICENSED PUTS THE PUBLIC IN DANGER. 2. Incomplete and substandard work i. There are areas with no pavers, just dirt, adjacent to the lower retaining wall. Contractor fixed some but not all areas along the newly built lower retaining wall. A picture showing an example of this issue is shown on my Yelp review but I am not able to show a picture on an Angi's List review. The picture shows where paving stones should have been installed next to the retaining wall. ii. Gate not installed in lower retaining wall. The retaining wall that was being replaced had a gate. I called this to Mr. McIntyre's attention in a reply message to his message that the project was complete. He replied in an email message that he would replace the gate. iii. In doing the work, Landscape Solutions workers moved items (e.g., wooden glider bench, other patio benches, chairs, patio table, an umbrella stand) from the flattened hill area to other parts of the back yard. I requested that the items be returned to their original locations. Mr. McIntyre, in an email message, agreed to do so. This was not done. Returning items moved to their original location should be a standard part of Landscape Solutions clean-up work upon completion of a project. ISSUES WITH NON-ADHERENCE TO CONTRACTORS STATE LICENSE BOARD REGULATIONS In items 3 and 4 below, quoted text is from Contractors State Licensing Board publication "Contracting for Success", which was downloaded from the CSLB website. 3. Contractor did not give buyer a copy of the signed contract as CSLB requires. "Before any work is started, the contractor must give the buyer a copy of the contract signed and dated by both the contractor and the buyer." 4. On the day work began, Contractor asked for payment of $15,000 along with the signed contract. "Except for a down payment, a contractor can't demand or accept payment for work or materials until the work is actually done or the materials are delivered. The down payment may not exceed $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract amount, whichever is less." Contractor gave following reason why he asked for $15000 at start of project. Quote is directly from an email message he sent client. Client can provide the actual email message. Text of email message from Mr. McIntyre, in quotes: "My son is out of state at college and it is very expensive. My cash flow and bank account funds do not allow me to pay for your materials before delivery and pay my payroll in advance of getting paid by you if this is what the CSLB requires." --------End of quote from email message sent by Mr. McIntyre-------------- 5. Contractor made additional changes not in contract without a change order being added to the contract. Contractor's office manager then billed client for the unauthorized work. The Contractors State Licensing Board publication "Terms of Agreement A Consumer Guide to Home Improvement Contracts" (downloaded from the CSLB website) states the following: "Extra Work and Change Orders become part of the contract once the order is prepared in writing and signed by the parties prior to the commencement of any work covered by the new change order.""
Terry E on February 2025
Welcome to Above The Cut! We look forward to serving you!
Welcome to Above The Cut! We look forward to serving you!
We are a family owned business that offers solutions for landscaping, paving, hardscaping and more. We offer the best work at the best price. We take our profession seriously and are fully licensed and insured.
"Great! Great job, stayed on task, design and install, kept in constant communication. Highly recommend using V&M!!"
David M on March 2024
We are a family owned business that offers solutions for landscaping, paving, hardscaping and more. We offer the best work at the best price. We take our profession seriously and are fully licensed and insured.
"Great! Great job, stayed on task, design and install, kept in constant communication. Highly recommend using V&M!!"
David M on March 2024
Enjoy a beautiful looking yard with our professional services that everyone will admire! We do it all, from Paver, synthetic lawn, fencing, irrigation, concrete, lighting, maintenance, and so much more!
"Second time we’ve hired Alejandro and Ignacio. From coming out promptly to give us a quote until they completed the project a few days later, they were professional and timely. Budget was very competitive, and they were upfront about any price changes. They completed the work on time and with high quality. Will continue to work with them on our future landscaping projects."
Scott M on March 2025
Enjoy a beautiful looking yard with our professional services that everyone will admire! We do it all, from Paver, synthetic lawn, fencing, irrigation, concrete, lighting, maintenance, and so much more!
"Second time we’ve hired Alejandro and Ignacio. From coming out promptly to give us a quote until they completed the project a few days later, they were professional and timely. Budget was very competitive, and they were upfront about any price changes. They completed the work on time and with high quality. Will continue to work with them on our future landscaping projects."
Scott M on March 2025
Experienced lawn, tree, rock and cement man (The South Bay) **** Specializing In **** Lawns - seed or sod - new or revive Fences - wood, metal, plastic - new or REPAIR - did the storm blow down your fence? I can fix it! Trees - plant, trim, remove Irrigation systems - new or repair - waterfalls, ponds, sprinklers, drip systems Land Clearing - Roto-tilliing, weeding, fire safety hazzards, dirt preparation and cleaning Mason work - cement, rocks, brickwork, tile Retaining walls - brick, cement, railroad ties, logs Decks, Pergolas, Sheds and other outdoor wood buildings *** Ask about drought/water friendly landscape and grass painting options. *** And much more - just ask. **** FREE Estimates **** Jesse's Landscape 408 561-2590 Thank you grass, trees, sod, concrete, stepping stones, maintenance, pipes, trees, handyman, fence repair, gate repair
"Jessie is excellent on sprinkler/irrigation systems and lawn care. Highly recommend his work. He is reliable and his rates are fair. His phone number is listed incorrectly. It is (408) 561-2590."
Carol C on April 2025
Experienced lawn, tree, rock and cement man (The South Bay) **** Specializing In **** Lawns - seed or sod - new or revive Fences - wood, metal, plastic - new or REPAIR - did the storm blow down your fence? I can fix it! Trees - plant, trim, remove Irrigation systems - new or repair - waterfalls, ponds, sprinklers, drip systems Land Clearing - Roto-tilliing, weeding, fire safety hazzards, dirt preparation and cleaning Mason work - cement, rocks, brickwork, tile Retaining walls - brick, cement, railroad ties, logs Decks, Pergolas, Sheds and other outdoor wood buildings *** Ask about drought/water friendly landscape and grass painting options. *** And much more - just ask. **** FREE Estimates **** Jesse's Landscape 408 561-2590 Thank you grass, trees, sod, concrete, stepping stones, maintenance, pipes, trees, handyman, fence repair, gate repair
"Jessie is excellent on sprinkler/irrigation systems and lawn care. Highly recommend his work. He is reliable and his rates are fair. His phone number is listed incorrectly. It is (408) 561-2590."
Carol C on April 2025
Spring is the sweet spot for yard leveling. The soil has enough moisture to shape easily but is still firm enough to stay put once you finish grading. Tackle the project before summer downpours arrive, and you’ll improve drainage, reduce erosion, and give new grass time to take root. Leveling in early spring also helps pros schedule followup landscaping before the busy season hits.
A pro crew typically needs five to six days to level an average‑size yard. Smaller spots may wrap up in a single day, while a sprawling or steep property can stretch the timeline to a full week. Those days cover everything from prep and initial grading to final touch‑ups that leave the surface stable and ready for new landscaping. Building this window into your schedule keeps the project on track and ensures long-lasting results.
Leave a four‑inch gap between finished soil and both the top of the foundation and the bottom edge of the siding. That clearance lets water run off instead of slipping inside and keeps pests from finding an easy path indoors. Sticking to this measurement protects the structure, preserves proper drainage, and helps you avoid costly repairs down the road.
Grading tilts the ground so water flows away from your foundation; leveling smooths out bumps so you can mow, entertain, or add hardscaping with ease. Most projects need a mix of both—grade first for drainage, then fine‑tune the surface for a neat, user‑friendly lawn. Combining the two protects the house and boosts curb appeal in one pass.