Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions - Why We're Better

Do you guarantee your work?

Absolutely, we only do work designed with purpose and built to last. The aim of all our work is to improve your space in a way that makes it more enjoyable and comfortable for you, your family, and friends. With over 200 five star reviews, we promise you that your property will be treated in the best way possible.

How do you maintain such a high reputation?

Our 100% guarantee comes with a proven and documented reputation. We respect you enough to think about how we can best support your peace of mind and good nights rest. When you hire our team you can count on factors within our control to be handled appropriately and effectively. If we make a mistake, we will make it right. If we miss something, we will come back and take care of it. We are good intentioned, responsible, and reasonable people. You are cared for in a professional manner at all times before, during, and after our team is done working on your property.

How does Clearview handle so many projects at the same time and still do great work?

With Clearview, the client experience is structured very efficiently and predictably. Yes, it is a juggling act but we accomplish this with dedicated, capable people with clearly defined roles and responsibilities, tech-integrated vehicle and team member tracking, among other checks and balances to keep projects moving in the right direction.

Our efforts are aligned to handle each and every part of your experience working with us, you will find that our values guide and direct our workflow, promote satisfaction in our clients, and motivate team members. These mutually beneficial initiatives align all efforts to bring about the best experiences for clients and Clearview team members alike. We also have a considerably larger team which really helps us spread the work flow effectively to the appropriate people.

We also avoid taking on too much too fast by keeping each talented team member focussed clearly on what they are best at. We don’t have the same person installing your turf, managing invoices and emails, collecting bill payments, running to the store for material, building and managing our website, and taking care of our valued clients when they have questions about our work. Stress is low, success is high.

Why does Clearview approach contracting differently?

When Chris Hulme founded Clearview he realized quickly that if he was going to truly stay busy with work AND run a great business, he was going to need to separate and delegate roles of construction service from other roles of running the business. Think about it, if it takes you weeks, months, or even years to get someone to call you back, send you a proposal, or book an appointment, who’s to say these people are going to take care of you during and after your project?

Imagine trying to get one of these other companies to fix something they did wrong after they’ve already been paid. It’s a nightmare, just forget it. Don’t let this happen to you, just drop us a line and watch how we do it. It’s much better, way easier, and you have 100% complete control over what it costs. You just need to be up front with us on your budget and let us handle the rest.

“I see your Clearview trucks everywhere! Why?”

The unfortunate reality of contract work is that not every person who contracts is a contractor. Yes, you read that correctly. When you see an unmarked van, sure it’s full of tools and the people in it have a familiarity with whatever job they’re performing, but contracting is more than that.

The difference is that this lack of professionalism can’t differentiate between an actual licensed contractor, a hobbyist, or some average joe with a weed whacker. Clearview takes pride in being able to set ourselves apart, you’ll always recognize us by our work but you’ll also be able to pick us out of a crowd with our uniforms or colorful trucks. We aim to be approachable and want to be recognized, so expect to see our trucks more often than not.

Frequently Asked Questions - How We Stack Up Against Our Competition

I just want a bid. Why are you asking me for my preferred budget?

Our process is different from others because of the amount of flexibility involved. We need to know your budget for a number of reasons, but mostly because it’s a lot more involved than simply browsing around looking for the best price available. We stand by the fact that no one else does what we can do. Don’t think of this so much as a general contracting job as much as it’s a creative project with capability to put controls in place over the cost of work and hone in on what scope of work fits based on your priorities.

If it was simple lawn care maintenance then yes, of course you’d just Google some companies and compare prices. We would do the same thing. The reality is that we specialize in so much more and offer a ton of options, knowing your budget helps us understand what we’re working with and how we can bring your vision to life with the resources available.

We will help consult with you to find ways of getting there at a price point you are comfortable with, factoring in all the peripheral areas of your property with all of your individual preferences will be a collaborative effort.

Think of it this way, if we start working with you aiming at a moving target, it’s leaving the door wide open to misunderstanding and frustration unless we spend the right amount of time on what exactly we are setting out to do. A budget helps you help us achieve the goal.

How much can I “save” by hiring someone cheaper?

When it comes to getting work done on your home, always make your second purchase first. What we mean by that is having to redo work will naturally cost at least double the second time around. If you hire someone cheaper you’re running the risk of getting cheaper work. So, whether you hire us to make it right or someone else, it will undoubtedly cost even more.

We only do the very best work and have been since the ‘80s. Hiring someone cheaper will cost you in ways specifically unknown. We’ll gladly go over all of the ins and outs with you during your consultation. With us, you are guaranteed the best quality work in a timely manner.

Frequently Asked Questions - Who We're a Good Fit For

Can I still hire Clearview for my smaller sized project?

Technically yes. We did not start out by only servicing larger projects… We have always been happy to help anybody who needs it and can appreciate a proper job well done. But seeing as we do have a system today more geared for the type of work described in the question above, we just ask that you help us reserve on site consultation appointment times for people with more typical sized projects. In other words, please just book a phone consultation for very small projects, and we will reach out to discuss your needs in a more efficient manner. We greatly appreciate your consideration and cooperation in that regard. Thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions - What it's Like Working With Us

Once we agree on a project budget, what’s next?

We will send you some paperwork and ask for a $1000 down payment (as per California state law) to formalize our agreement. After that’s taken care of we will put you in touch with our design team to meet at the property and begin working through the collaboration process. We will use the budget as a baseline for the work desired and have it in mind to guide our efforts on what work is specifically going to be done.

Generally speaking, if you have a lower budget, we won’t be recommending things that come with a higher budget. If you ask for something that goes over your budget we will help you understand that as best as possible, ideally with some sort of alternative that does work within your budget that you are going to be happy with.

Do you require progress payments during the project?

Yes. We explain our progress payment schedule with you at the property during our initial consultation. We also include a formal description of it in the written agreement paperwork so you always have it on hand. We fully believe in staying caught up with progress payments regularly so you are never left with a large amount to pay at any given time.

Do you require a deposit paid up front?

Yes. Per California law, we are required to receive a $1000 down payment or 10%, whichever is less, for all of our projects.

How does Clearview schedule my work and get going on it so quickly?

We have an extremely organized business model with a highly skilled leadership team, carefully trained to maximize your experience as our valued client. With that in mind, we are able to provide the construction team with an initial start date typically within a couple weeks when your initial design plan is completed. In some cases, we can even start within a few days. It’s all part of our process in doing everything in house with our design team collaborating with our construction team. We believe time is valuable, we don’t want to waste any of yours.

Frequently Asked Questions - Cost/Pricing

What sorts of things cost the most?

Prior to meeting with you at your property to get an idea of what you are looking for, we typically do not specifically estimate project costs. A quarter acre overhaul looks quite different from sprawling gardens with multiple sitting areas on a multi acre estate. Levels of detail and preferences vary significantly from person to person, and while we would love to be more specific and clear on this, it really matters more what sort of project you are hoping for, what budget you have available, and what your list of priorities looks like. We will discuss your project scope of work during the initial consultation and usually are able to give you an idea of the recommended budget for the work you want done while we are still at the property.

What is a change order?

When a Client wants to do something that takes the scope of work beyond what the written agreement states, especially if it's going to cost beyond what the agreed upon budget supports, we will advise you of that and give you an idea of the cost increase so you can decide whether you want to do the additional work or not. If you agree to the extra work at the anticipated additional cost, we will write up a change order to formalize the change and note how much more we anticipate that extra work to require.

Frequently Asked Questions - Quotation & Estimates

Do you provide free estimates?

Yes. During our initial consultation, while we are at the property discussing your project with you, we figure out the scope of work and give you a rough idea of your required project budget. This estimate is intended to help guide the direction of our working relationship so we can best gauge your priorities and allocate funds as needed to achieve your objectives for the project. When it becomes clear during our meeting that we are a good fit for one another, we write up a proposal for the project as discussed and send it over by email for your approved signature.

Is the estimated project budget inclusive of all material?

Yes. We always provide estimates inclusive of all the project costs we foresee being needed for your project. The two big ones we look at are labor and material, but you also need to factor in equipment use, supervision, hauling, dumping, and delivery fees. We are fully transparent about the costs that factor into the budget and are more than happy to walk through it with you.

Will the estimated project budget be the same as my actual total cost of work?

In many cases, the largest overall contributing expense is when the project evolves from where it is initially planned and discussed. Often what is dreamed and planned in our initial meeting is only part of what is actually delivered when all is said and done on a project. We do our best to estimate accurately with the information we are given, and even try to think about unintended consequences of certain changes a project could experience, but realistically speaking we are not holding a crystal ball with all the answers of what you or another client may wish to modify or add to a project at any time. We communicate thoroughly, often, and in both verbal and written formats, so everything is very clear. I or when things change, we write up change orders to formalize updates to the vision of your project.

Frequently Asked Questions - About Clearview

How long have you been in business?

Chris Hulme founded the original Santa Barbara Clearview in 2001.

Are you licensed, bonded and insured?

Yes. We are a licensed landscape contractor with the state of California. Per California law, we carry the appropriate insurance and have posted our bond. If you would like us to provide you with a certificate listing you as additionally insured for your project please let us know and we will be happy to do so.

How does Clearview pick between potential new Clients to work with?

Sometimes we find ourselves in a situation where someone has had multiple bad experiences with other Contractors, and has decided they just do not trust Contractors in general anymore. It’s sad, but true. And it can be very tough for us to see eye to eye with these people. So, if you don’t want to come to the table with trust… Please, just call someone else. We are putting ourselves out there with all the best tools, team members, trade secrets, and countless stories of trade experiences here for you to consider up front. We don’t beat around the bush. And we don’t start off destined to fail without proper plans and procedures in place.

Frequently Asked Questions - Landscaping Maintenance

Do you offer landscape maintenance?

Yes. Our full service landscape maintenance package includes regular visits to your property to manage all the ongoing needs associated with your garden. Whether you need constant weed control, irrigation maintenance, trimming of plants and trees, or something else related to your landscaping, our team is completely set up to help you keep your curb appeal looking top notch and your landscape systems fully functional.

How frequent is landscape maintenance?

Short answer is that it varies, our team will design a maintenance plan to fit your needs and budget that makes the most sense to you. The best service comes with our weekly care package since it allows our team a more frequent visit to the property to keep clean and clear all patio spaces, driveways, walkways, and front entry areas from leaves and dust that tend to build up during the week.

It also allows us more frequent attention to weeds, trimming of bushes, checking of irrigation, and handling whatever else you have for us on your maintenance checklist. For people looking to save we also offer less frequent gardening services including bi-weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, and quarterly visits. We really strive to minimize inefficient and unnecessary maintenance labor by designing and building your landscaping to require very little ongoing care after installation.

As a result, our maintenance teams are able to keep your property looking great without having to spend too much time on-site on a regular basis. We treat the tremendous privilege of maintaining your property with the respect and love it deserves.

Every property and project is different, so the solutions often vary. We’re cognizant of that and will discuss options during the consultation as well as talk about having a property manager maintain your property after the job is completed.

Do you offer discounts for prepaid landscape maintenance contracts?

If you’re like most people, you like to save money when possible and invest it in things of value. Knowing how important this is to all of our highly valued clients, we now offer a variety of considerable discount options for prepaid landscape maintenance contracts. If you already know you are going to be paying for a regular service anyway, now you can invest the total amount for a period of time up front and save a percentage on the overall cost for doing so.

We do all the tracking on our end for you and deliver a regular report so you know exactly how much credit you have left along the way. If you’d like to hear more about this, please let us know how much prepaid time you’d like to pay for and we will figure out a rate of return that doesn’t just make a lot of sense, but saves you money as well. You’ll have a formal written contract that shows you what you are getting, for what term, and it’ll all be very clear. If you’re wondering why we would do this it’s worth mentioning that this method helps us out too because it helps us plan your project ahead as well.

Frequently Asked Questions - General Industry Questions

Why is it so hard to get Contractors out to my house and give me a bid?

Many Contractors are either do-it-yourselfers or run very small crews. This tends to keep them busy since they have limited people on their team to handle the needs of their customers. It also makes it harder for them to find time to meet with new people. This is a major red flag since it’s basically saying they’re overwhelmed and are either unreliable or otherwise too busy to take your job seriously.

What do I have to lose by hiring side labor for my project?

You can easily lose a lot more than you bargained for. From a lack of insurance coverage for accidents, poor communication skills, lack of trade licensure to hold them accountable for work done improperly to unpredictable and unreliable work schedules, you are in for an absolute nightmare going this route on your project. When you hire us, everyone is held accountable and every detail is mapped out so you know exactly what you’re getting.