Landscapers in Davenport Ranch, TX
Outdoor Living Built for Hillside Lots Off Loop 360
Davenport Ranch sits just south of the Pennybacker Bridge, east of Loop 360 and north of West Lake Hills. Most homes here were built between the mid-1980s and the mid-2000s. Lots run from about an eighth of an acre to more than three acres. The ground ranges from gentle hills to steep slopes, and many yards look out over the Hill Country or Lake Austin.
That mix of slope and view shapes Davenport Ranch landscaping more than anything else. GardenGOAT is a design-build landscaping company run out of our South Austin shop. Here we focus on outdoor living that fits a hillside. Think of a patio that turns a slope into usable space, or an outdoor kitchen that faces the view. Pool deck surrounds and landscape lighting for evenings outside round it out. On steeper lots, the work often starts with a retaining wall.
The ground itself is the next challenge. West of I-35, Austin sits on the Edwards Plateau, with exposed limestone and rocky, somewhat alkaline soil. We plan beds as planting islands with better soil. We map big oaks before any digging, since City of Austin tree rules apply here.
Many homes also belong to the Davenport Ranch Neighborhood Association, which requires review board approval before exterior work starts. We draw plans with the details the board asks for, so approval does not stall your build.
What Davenport Ranch Lots Ask of a Landscaper
The Davenport Ranch Neighborhood Association's recorded Community Policies say no exterior change may start without approval from its Architectural Review Board. That covers fences, walls, hardscaping, and new structures. It also covers landscaping that changes bed sizes a lot, and removing a healthy tree over six inches across. Owners who start early can face fines and lose their construction deposit. The same rules call for a dumpster and a portable toilet on the lot during construction, with materials kept off the street. We plan for all of it. Our drawings show sizes, materials, colors, and plant choices, which is what a review board needs to see. Davenport Ranch also has a master association, and some sections have their own association too, so we confirm which rules apply to your address first.
Lots in Davenport Ranch range from gentle hills to steep slopes. A patio, outdoor kitchen, or pool deck needs level ground, so a retaining wall often does the heavy lifting. The neighborhood policies ban walls and fences in front of the front setback line. A standards bulletin in those policies explains that this rule does not block at-grade or below-grade retaining walls that the slope reasonably needs. Another rule says any foundation more than three feet above the ground must be covered by plants or finished to match the house. On a sloped lot, that often means a planted bed or a stone face on the downhill side. We design walls, steps, and terraces along with drainage, so water leaves the yard without washing out beds or spilling onto a neighbor's lot.
The Travis County AgriLife office describes the land west of I-35 as Edwards Plateau country. Expect exposed limestone, crumbled rock in the soil, and a pH that runs somewhat alkaline. That changes how we dig and what we plant. Trenches for lighting wire and irrigation take longer in rock. Beds work best as planting islands filled with better soil, and we favor plants suited to alkaline ground. If your plan includes xeriscaping, the neighborhood policies ask for a to-scale plan, a plant list, border materials, and irrigation details. Xeric beds need their own irrigation zones apart from any lawn, plus mulch at least three inches deep. Thorny or spiny plants must stay at least six feet from a sidewalk or street. If deer visit your yard, we lean on plants deer tend to skip.
Davenport Ranch is inside Austin city limits, so City of Austin tree rules apply. A tree 19 inches or more across, measured 4.5 feet above the ground, is protected, and removing one takes a permit. An oak 24 inches or more across is a heritage tree, and removal is prohibited except in narrow cases. Work inside a regulated tree's critical root zone can also need a Tree Ordinance Review Application. Close to the trunk, the city limits cut and fill to four inches. That decides where a patio, kitchen, or lighting trench can go. We mark large trees during the site visit and design around their roots. We also prune live oaks and red oaks outside February through June to lower the risk of oak wilt.
Patios, Outdoor Kitchens, and Walls for Sloped Lots
Patios
Outdoor Kitchens
Retaining Walls & Borders
Fire & Water Features
Walkways & Pathways
Concrete Overlay
Driveways & Sidewalks
Shade, Decks, and Structures Built Around the View
Design and Planting for Rocky, Alkaline Soil
Drip Irrigation and Drainage That Fit Austin Watering Rules
How a Davenport Ranch Project Goes From Idea to Build
A project here has three sets of limits: the slope, the city's tree and water rules, and the neighborhood review board. We work through all three before construction starts. That way, the plan you approve is a plan that can be built.
Tell us how you want to use your yard. We also ask which association your home belongs to and whether big oaks stand near the work area.
- Talk through patio, outdoor kitchen, pool deck, or lighting goals
- Confirm your association and its review steps
- Set a budget range and a target start date
We walk the lot and check slope, soil depth, sun, drainage, and sight lines to the view. Then we draw the space in 2D and 3D.
- Measure grade changes and mark large trees
- 2D plans and 3D renderings of the finished space
- $900-$1,600 design fee, fully credited toward the build if you move forward
We refine the design with you and price it line by line. Then we pull together the drawings and material details the review board asks for.
- Itemized proposal for every part of the build
- Plans, materials, colors, and plant list for ARB review
- City permits when the scope calls for one
Our crew builds with project management from start to finish. We follow the association's job-site rules and keep the street clear.
- Dumpster and portable toilet kept on your lot
- Licensed plumbers and electricians for kitchen utilities
- Final walkthrough before handoff
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!
Answers for Davenport Ranch Homeowners
In most cases, yes. The Davenport Ranch Neighborhood Association's Community Policies require Architectural Review Board approval before work starts on hardscaping, walls, fences, and new structures. There is a review fee and a construction deposit. The policies point to a 30-day review window, so plan on about a month. We prepare drawings with sizes, materials, and colors so the board has what it needs. If your home falls under a different association, we check its rules first.
If Austin Water serves your home, its Conservation Stage rules have applied since September 2, 2025. Automatic sprinkler systems may run one assigned day a week, before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Hose-end sprinklers and drip irrigation may run up to two assigned days a week, during those same hours. Hand watering is allowed any time. So we lean on drip for beds and group plants by how much water they need. Austin Water's website lists your assigned day by address.
Our design-build projects start at $20,000, and many land between $30,000 and $100,000. On a sloped Davenport Ranch lot, the biggest price drivers are retaining walls, how much rock we dig through, and new gas, water, or power lines for a kitchen. Your proposal is itemized line by line, so you can see where each dollar goes. The $900 to $1,600 design fee is credited in full toward the build if you move forward.
Often, no. City of Austin rules protect trees 19 inches or more across, and removing one takes a permit. Oaks 24 inches or more across are heritage trees, and removal is prohibited except in narrow cases. The neighborhood association also asks for approval before removing any healthy tree over six inches across. The better path is usually to design around the tree. We keep paving and trenches out of the root zone and use a deck or raised walk where it fits.
Sometimes. The neighborhood policies ban free-standing walls and fences in front of the front setback line. A standards bulletin says that rule does not block at-grade or below-grade retaining walls the slope reasonably needs. So a wall that holds back soil can work, while a tall garden wall facing the street usually will not. Taller retaining walls can also need a city permit. We sort out both approvals before we build.
Call two to three months before you want work to start. Design takes about two to three weeks. Then add about 30 days for the review board, or more if the board asks for changes. Construction usually runs four to eight weeks after approval. Fall and early spring are the best times to plant, so a fall call is about right for a backyard you want to use in spring.
Landscaping Beyond Davenport Ranch
Davenport Ranch sits north of West Lake Hills, and both are part of Eanes ISD, along with most of Rollingwood and the Lost Creek neighborhood. We also build outdoor spaces in Steiner Ranch and across Austin. See every area we serve.
Explore our landscaping, masonry and hardscaping, deck building, concrete, and fencing services.
