Boise Landscaping. Done Personally.

Full backyard transformations, custom patio and hardscape installations, softscape and planting designs, water features, landscape lighting, and complete landscape plans. I work best on projects where the homeowner has a clear sense that they want something custom (not a cookie-cutter result) and where the scope is significant enough to warrant a design-build process. I'm not the right fit for small patch jobs.

No. Most of my customers come to me with a general idea and a lot of questions and not a finished plan. That's exactly what the initial consultation is for. I'll walk your property with you, ask about how you want to use the space, talk through what's realistic for your budget, and develop the design from there. If you do have existing plans or have worked with a landscape architect, I'm happy to work from those as well.

It starts with a site visit and a real conversation, not a form you fill out online. From there, I develop a concept design that shows the overall layout and direction. Once we align on that, I move into detailed design: specific materials, planting plans with species and sizes, hardscape dimensions, lighting zones, and irrigation layout. For projects where it helps, I produce 3D renderings so you can see the finished space before a single stone is moved. You approve everything before installation begins.

That's actually one of the most satisfying types of projects to work on. Starting from scratch means no compromises around existing elements that don't work. We design the entire outdoor space intentionally (grading, drainage, hardscape layout, planting, irrigation, and lighting) from the ground up. That includes selecting trees, shrubs, native plants, and flowers suited to Boise's high desert climate and your specific site conditions: soil type, sun exposure, drainage patterns. Every planting decision is made with the long view in mind, not just how it looks at installation. New construction in Meridian, Eagle, and Nampa makes up a good portion of my work for exactly this reason.

That's fine. A focused project (a backyard patio, a front yard planting design, a water feature) can be approached as a standalone installation. The main thing I want to understand in the first conversation is whether the scope makes sense as a design-build engagement. If it does, we move forward. If it's something better handled a different way, I'll tell you.

As involved as you want to be. Some customers have a strong vision and want to be part of every decision. Others tell me the outcome they want and trust me to get there. I work comfortably both ways. What I do ask is that you're available for the key decision points (approving the concept, reviewing materials, signing off on the final design) so the project doesn't stall waiting on input. Clear communication on both sides is what makes a project go smoothly.

I can do both, however my focus is residential. Homeowners who want a custom outdoor living space (not a managed commercial property or HOA common area) are who I do my best work for. If you have a residential property with a complex or ambitious project, that's the sweet spot.

Two things, mainly. First, you're working directly with me. The person who designed your landscape is the same person managing its installation and physically on-site through the build. That continuity shows up in the details: the irrigation zones are laid out to match the planting plan, the shrubs and trees are placed where they'll actually thrive given your soil and sun exposure, the garden design connects to the hardscape rather than being treated as an afterthought. Second, I take on fewer projects than most landscaping companies in the Treasure Valley, which means I'm not stretched thin across twenty jobs. Your project gets my full attention, not a share of it.

No. And that's intentional. Hockema is a design and build firm. I focus exclusively on landscape design, installation, and construction. Ongoing lawn care, lawn maintenance, aeration, fertilization, edging, and routine pruning are services best handled by a dedicated maintenance company. If you need a referral to someone good in the Treasure Valley, I'm happy to point you in the right direction.

Most landscaping companies in Boise handle both installation and ongoing maintenance (mowing, pruning, seasonal clean-ups, lawn care programs). That's a completely different business model than mine. I design and build landscapes: hardscapes, planting installations, water features, irrigation systems, and lighting. Once the project is complete and your plants are established, the day-to-day care of your landscape is yours or a maintenance company's. My job is to build something that makes that care easy.

Yes, new lawn installation is part of what I do when it's included in a larger landscape project. If you need soil prep, grading, and sod or seeding as part of a full backyard or front yard installation, that's within scope. What I don't offer is standalone lawn care or mowing services.

That's maintenance work, and it's outside what I do. A landscape maintenance company or a lawn care service in Boise can handle aeration, pruning, fertilization, and seasonal upkeep. Where I come in is if you want to redesign the space, replace struggling plants with better-suited species, or rebuild a patio or planting bed that isn't working. If you're not sure whether you need maintenance or a design-build project, reach out and I'll give you an honest answer.

It depends heavily on scope, materials, and the complexity of the site. A focused hardscape installation (a patio with steps and some planting) might start around $15,000–$25,000. A full property transformation with hardscapes, irrigation, planting, lighting, and water features can run significantly more. Irrigation alone is worth budgeting carefully. A properly zoned system designed around your planting plan is not the same thing as a basic sprinkler setup, and getting it right at installation saves real money on water and plant replacement over time. I talk about budget in the first consultation so we're aligned before any design work begins. There's no point designing something we can't build within your budget.

I work with a limited number of projects each season, so availability varies. Spring and early summer typically book out several months in advance. The best time to reach out is in late fall or winter for the following spring, though I occasionally have openings mid-season. Contact me to check current availability.