Landscapers in Brentwood, Austin, TX
A Postwar Neighborhood Built Along Hancock Creek
Brentwood was farmland until the 1940s. The City of Austin annexed most of it in 1946. Bungalows soon went up for families starting out after World War II. Brentwood Elementary opened in 1951, and the city acquired a former cornfield next to it for Brentwood Park that same year. This is Brentwood in Austin, Texas: the neighborhood between Burnet Road and North Lamar, from 45th Street up to Justin Lane.
That early build-out still shows up in your yard. The City of Austin says this area was developed before current drainage rules. Some homes sit in the floodplain, storm drain pipes are undersized, and erosion threatens streets, utilities, and houses. The city is studying fixes, but it has not found funding to build them yet. So in Brentwood landscaping, water comes first. Our plans here start with grading and drainage, then add the patio, deck, or shade.
The soil adds to the challenge. Under many Brentwood lawns is Austin silty clay, a soil that swells when wet and shrinks when dry. That movement can crack a slab or tilt a post. Then there are the trees. Arroyo Seco is a tree-lined street, and any oak or pecan 24 inches or more across counts as a heritage tree in Austin.
GardenGOAT is a design-build landscaping company run from our 78704 shop in South Austin. Our founder, Nicolas, leads each project hands-on, from the first site visit to the final walkthrough.
Hancock Creek, Chalky Clay, and Big Trees: Brentwood's Ground Rules
Hancock Creek, also called Hancock Branch, runs through Brentwood along Arroyo Seco and drains to Shoal Creek. A builder dug the channel deeper in the early 1950s to deal with drainage trouble. Today the City of Austin is studying three small Shoal Creek tributaries here: Hancock, Grover, and Goodnight. The city says homes sit in the floodplain, pipes are undersized, and erosion threatens streets, utilities, and houses. That project is still in preliminary engineering, with no funding yet for design or construction. Until then, each lot has to handle its own water well. We trace where water enters your yard, where it pools, and where it can safely leave. Then we plan grading, catch basins, channel drains, or downspout extensions that move it away from the house.
USDA soil maps show much of Brentwood on the Austin-Urban land complex. The native soil there is Austin silty clay. It is about 45 percent clay and sits on soft chalk, roughly 30 inches down in the typical profile. Some ground nearby is mapped as Houston Black, a well-known expansive clay. Clay like this swells when it gets wet and shrinks as it dries. Over the years, that movement can crack slabs, tilt fence posts, and lift pavers. So we plan for it. Patios get a compacted base and a slight slope away from the house. Beds and walks are graded so water does not sit against the foundation. Posts for decks and pergolas are set for the soil we find on your lot.
Arroyo Seco is a tree-lined street. In late 1992, Brentwood and Crestview neighbors planted 259 trees along Hancock Creek between Koenig Lane and Justin Lane. Mature shade is a gift, but Austin regulates it. Any tree 19 inches or more across, measured 4.5 feet up, is protected. Oaks, pecans, cedar elms, and a few other species at 24 inches or more are heritage trees. On a home lot, you need a city tree review to remove a regulated tree, prune 25 percent or more of its canopy, or disturb its critical root zone. We map those trees first and design around them. We prune oaks outside February through June to lower oak wilt risk.
Brentwood took shape after World War II. Many of the first homes were bungalows bought by veterans starting families. Stonemason Frank B. Wright built homes and businesses here in the 1940s and 1950s, many with similar stone facades. Details like that shape our designs. Stone borders and low retaining edges can echo the stone on older homes around you. When backyard space is tight, a deck or patio cover can turn a hot, bare corner into a spot you use every evening. Where a yard dips toward the house, we can regrade it and add a low wall or border to hold the new level.
Drainage, Grading, and Firm Edges Come First
Shade Structures, Decks, and Tree Care
Patios, Paths, and Outdoor Kitchens
Design, Planting, Lawns, and Fences
Our Customer Reviews
Nicolas is extremely talented in how he approaches landscape design and installation. I recently built a new house, and he worked in partnership with me and my developer to ensure every detail was worked out. He has a wonderful eye for design, choosing plants and flowers that resonated with me personally while also ensuring we installed what would thrive in our native Austin climate and soil. His lighting design and choices literally make the house glow at night, and he's been faithfully following up to ensure watering schedules are working as planned, replacing plants as needed, and generally making sure I'm happy. He's also a delight to work with! He has a great sense of humor, is extremely fair in his pricing, and is kind in how he shows up every day. I've gotten so many compliments on my landscaping, and I couldn't recommend him more! Nicolas - the true Garden GOAT!
Nicolas and GardenGOAT are the best at what they do! I had a rather unusual project this time around, and I felt like Nicolas genuinely cared about finding the right, outside-the-box solution - and making it work within my crazy timeline. He is friendly, reliable, and truly loves what he does. Highly recommend!
I'm very happy with the result! Pleasing aesthetic look just like how I wanted. Garden Goat has impressed me from the beginning with their presentation and communication till the end. Nicolas, the landscaper and also the owner of the company, has been very helpful and patient not just with our HOA and irrigation permit application process (over a year), but also the after-project care. I used about 5 to 7 vendors in the past for different projects, and I will say Garden Goat has most reasonable price and the best service. Totally recommended!
Working with Nicolas at Garden Goat was a great experience! He is very detail oriented and communicative. He has great suggestions on how to improve existing designs and works hard to make sure the work is done right for the client. Highly recommended for all your landscaping needs!
Garden Goat built a limestone sidewalk and entry for my project and the craftsmanship was excellent.
10/10, Nic was amazing, very patient with us from start to finish (this was our first big landscaping project), responsive, transparent on costs and process. He really helped bring our design to life, gave great advice on adjusting our plans to maximize success given the weird micro climate we are in (Hyde Park) his crew was amazing too, great attention to detail. They were just all around great to work with and our yard looks amazing. Highly recommend!
I've hired Nicholas and the Garden Goat team two times for projects and would happily recommend to others. Two years ago, we had irrigation and sod installed which went very smoothly and the sod and sprinklers have held up great over that time. The couple of small adjustments to the irrigation system that were needed have been no problem for Nicholas and team to take care of quickly. At the end of 2025 after getting a handful of quotes, we hired Garden Goat again for irrigation expansion in the back yard, a new path, and a new deck. After a bunch of back and forth on the design for the deck, I'm very happy with the outcome and can't recommend Jose and his carpentry work enough. The whole process was pretty easy and I was rarely if ever waiting on the Garden Goat team for anything.
Top notch experience from beginning to end. I was in touch with the owner/operator and he was both knowledgeable and humble in his expertise. He asked good questions and made suggestions which helped me clarify my answers. I was actually gone the day they came to do the work, but everything was done exactly how it was planned and we loved how it all looked!
We had a fantastic experience with Garden GOAT! Nicolas, the owner, was incredibly professional, attentive, and detail-oriented throughout the entire process. He took the time to understand exactly what we wanted and made sure every part of the job was done thoroughly. The team worked quickly and efficiently, laying new sod and planting additional greenery in our beds—all with excellent attention to detail. Our yard looks amazing now, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. Highly recommend Garden GOAT for anyone looking to improve their outdoor space!
We had an excellent experience with gardenGOAT. They transformed my garden with creativity, care, and real attention to detail. They listened to what we wanted, offered thoughtful suggestions, and delivered. Highly recommend gardenGOAT for anyone looking to elevate their outdoor space.
I had my fence replaced by GardenGOAT and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From start to finish, the process was smooth and stress-free. Nicholas was professional, friendly, and easy to work with and his crew were great. The pricing was very reasonable compared to other quotes I received. The new fence looks fantastic and really transforms my yard. Will use GardenGOAT again in the future!
GardenGoat was incredible to work with. Super thorough and extremely knowledgeable and experienced. He was able to help us fix out landscaping and irrigation issues quickly and his pricing is fantastic. I highly recommend them!
We are so happy with our experience with Garden Goat. This is our second project with them and they have succeeded all expectations! They fixed several landscaping and drainage issues. They were always easy to get a hold of and gave fair pricing. We will definitely use them again in the future!
We had a great experience working with Nicholas and the Garden Goat team! Despite being a smaller project for them, we felt like we were treated with as much priority and care as any big project. Nicholas was very communicative throughout the entire process, offering honest and thoughtful advice, as well as fair prices. We never felt pressure to do more than what we needed and appreciated his and his team’s patience with our questions and modifications. They brought our vision to life, the end result is great. We’d be happy to recommend Garden Goat to others!
I had a fantastic experience working with Garden Goat! Nicholas was extremely communicative from the start, taking the time to really understand my goals for my backyard renovation. He stayed on schedule and within budget, and was available and responsive every step of the way—right up until every detail was complete. I was so impressed with the quality of work and professionalism that I referred two friends during the project! Before & after photos provided - 5 days for project. Thank you Garden Goat !
Nicolas and his team leads, Jose and Ezekiel, from Garden Goat Landscaping did a great job on my yard. We compared three landscaping companies before deciding, and Garden Goat offered a fair price with quality work. The project took about two months, with phase 1 in winter 2024 and phase 2 in spring 2025. They were very easy to work with, listened to my ideas, and provided helpful suggestions on grass, patio stones, boulders, and even a pergola and deck. At one point, Nicolas even redid the pergola because the original version wasn’t secure, which really showed their commitment to quality. They also fixed my old irrigation system and made sure everything was working well. I’m very happy with how everything turned out and would definitely recommend Garden Goat Landscaping to anyone looking for a reliable and easy-to-work-with landscaping team.
We had an excellent experience working with Nicolas and his team to rebuild our elevated pool deck. The team was punctual, hard working and reliable. They were very honest and professional through the process and we are delighted with the results. Thank you Garden Goat!
I've worked with Garden Goat twice now and have been delighted both times. Really easy to work with, communicative and punctual, no hassles and really great work. Will definitely have them back any time we need landscaping or irrigation work in the future!
Nicholas did an amazing job! I love the outcome of my front and backyard. He exceeded my expectations. I got a new driveway, irrigation, sod, plants, firepit, and pathways. I would highly recommend him to everyone!
Nicholas and his team were a pleasure to work with on our side and in our backyard. They removed a huge slab of exposed aggregate and installed lueders and pea gravel. We also had some drainage problems when it rained that they were able to address/fix the issues. We have had several heavy rains since the French drain was installed, and it works beautifully.
The Garden Goat crew have been a GREAT FIND! Nicolas and his super hard working crew are fantastic! Great communication. Show up when they say they’re going to. The guys truly get that each job will change a little as you start and help you tweak things as needed on the fly. They pivot really well. If anything goes wrong, because that’s the reality of projects, they are so quick to fix it! We will be working with Garden Goat on a lot of future projects!! I recommend that you absolutely give them a call and a chance to show you what they can do! Oh! And let’s make sure this is noted… THEY ARE SO NICE! The crew is absolutely delightful to have around.
I hired Garden Goat to install turf and irrigation in my backyard. In the beginning Matt was great with getting us an accurate estimate and was super helpful with the design. He answered any and all questions and has the experience with these types of projects. Once we agreed to the job Nicolas contacted me and set up the install date. Nicolas was personable and also answered any questions with the process. All the workers were great and respectful. If you're looking for turf install or any kind of landscaping these guys were great from start to finish. Thanks Matt, Nicolas and Ezekiel!
Brentwood Landscaping Questions, Answered
It might. The City of Austin says some Brentwood homes were built in the floodplain before today's drainage rules. You can look up your lot on FloodPro, the city's online floodplain and storm drain map. We check it too before we design. If your lot is mapped, we talk through what that means for a new patio, deck, or fill, and we plan for any city review the work needs. Either way, we grade and drain the yard so water leaves it the right way.
Often, yes, but it takes planning. In Austin, a tree 19 inches or more across is regulated on a home lot. Work in its critical root zone can need a city tree review. In the inner quarter of that zone, no impacts are allowed. In the inner half, you cannot cut or fill more than 4 inches. A raised deck on footings can sometimes fit where a thick slab cannot. We measure the tree, map the root zone, and handle the permit when the job needs one.
Most of our design-build projects start at $20,000. Many land between $30,000 and $100,000. Size, materials, and scope set the final number. In Brentwood, drainage work and tree protection can add to the budget, so we list them as their own lines. You get an itemized proposal before you commit to anything. The design fee runs $900 to $1,600, and we credit all of it toward the build if you move forward with us.
Blame the clay. USDA soil maps show much of Brentwood on Austin silty clay, which is about 45 percent clay. Texas A&M AgriLife notes that clay soils shrink and swell with moisture, which can heave fence posts and patios. Poor drainage makes it worse, because water soaks the soil right next to the slab. When we rebuild a patio or fence here, we fix the drainage around it, build a solid compacted base, and slope hard surfaces away from the house.
Fall and early spring are the best planting windows in Austin. Fall also works well for tree trimming, since live oaks and red oaks should be pruned outside February through June to lower oak wilt risk. New plants need steady water to settle in. Austin's Conservation Stage rules allow automatic sprinklers one day a week, and drip or hose-end watering two days a week. We plan drip lines for new beds so they fit that schedule. Reach out two to three months before your ideal start date.
Yes. After the site visit, you get 2D plans and 3D renderings of your yard. You can see where the deck sits, how the patio cover fits the house, and where water will drain before anything is built. We adjust the plan with you until it feels right. Design usually takes two to three weeks. Construction on most projects runs four to eight weeks after you approve the plan.
How a Brentwood Project Comes Together
Brentwood yards come with clay soil, drainage trouble near the creeks, and trees the city regulates. Our process is set up to catch those issues early, before they cost you. Here is how it works.
Tell us what bugs you about the yard today. Maybe water pools by the back door after a storm, or the patio is too hot to use by June. We listen and ask a few questions.
- Talk through goals, problems, and must-haves
- Note any drainage or big-tree issues you know about
- Set a budget range and a rough timeline
We walk your lot and check the soil, the slope, sun and shade, and where water flows. We also note trees that may fall under Austin's tree rules. Then we draw the plan.
- Check drainage paths, soil, and tree root zones
- 2D plans and 3D renderings of your Brentwood yard
- $900 to $1,600 design fee, fully credited toward the build when you move forward
We adjust the design with you. Then you get an itemized proposal, so you can see what the drainage, hardscape, shade, and planting each cost.
- Tweak the layout, materials, and plants
- Review a line-by-line proposal
- Confirm any permits or tree reviews the plan needs
Our crew builds the project with a project manager keeping it on track. We protect root zones during the work and keep the site tidy for your neighbors.
- Grading and drainage done before hardscape goes in
- Tree protection in place for the whole build
- Final walkthrough together before handoff
Other Central Austin Areas Near Brentwood
Brentwood shares roads and creeks with its neighbors. Crestview sits just north across Justin Lane, and the city's drainage study covers parts of both neighborhoods. Allandale is to the west across Burnet Road. Bryker Woods lies farther south along Shoal Creek, the same creek that Brentwood's tributaries feed. You can also visit our Austin landscaping page or see all the areas we serve.
Want more detail on a service? Read about our landscaping and drainage work, patios, retaining walls, and stone borders, decks, pergolas, and patio covers, concrete driveways and overlays, and fence building.
