Landscapers in Steiner Ranch, TX
Ridge-Top Yards Need a Different Plan
Steiner Ranch sits on a ridge inside a big bend of the Colorado River, with Lake Travis on one side and Lake Austin on the other. Those views are a big reason people live here. They also mean many steep yards, where soil and mulch can wash downhill in a heavy rain. As a landscape contractor, GardenGOAT starts every Steiner Ranch landscaping job with three things: the slope, the plants deer will leave alone, and the local rules.
Those rules are not the same as in central Austin. Steiner Ranch is a census-designated place in Travis County, and most of it sits outside Austin's city limits. That means Travis County permits cover work like retaining walls, sheds, and pools on most lots, and we confirm which office applies to yours. Your water comes from Travis County WCID 17, which pulls from Lake Travis and sets its own watering days. The Steiner Ranch Master Association also has to approve any exterior change, including all landscaping and fencing.
Fire is part of the picture too. On September 4, 2011, a wildfire that started near power lines along RM 620 destroyed 23 homes here and forced about 10,000 residents to leave. The HOA's design manual calls the community a wildland urban interface, and we take that seriously when we place plants, trees, and fire features.
Our founder, Nicolas Zumino, leads each project hands-on. Every outdoor living design is custom, from terraced limestone beds to a covered patio aimed at the view.
What Steiner Ranch Terrain and Rules Mean for Your Yard
Steep lots are the norm here, and the HOA has clear rules for them. Its Residential Design Guideline Manual calls for retaining walls in native white limestone with a level, dry-stack look, unless the committee approves something else. A wall that runs parallel to a street can't be taller than 4 feet. Bigger grade changes must be terraced, with at least 4 feet of clear space between walls, and the benches must be planted. Cut slopes steeper than 3 to 1 need slope protection. So we rarely pitch one tall wall. We plan stepped terraces, drain the uphill side so water can't push the wall over, and pull the Travis County retaining wall permit when the job needs one.
Travis County WCID 17 supplies water and wastewater to Steiner Ranch using surface water from Lake Travis. Its drought plan ties each stage to how much water is stored in Lakes Buchanan and Travis. Under Stage 1, the stage posted on the district's website, sprinklers may run twice a week on days set by your address, and only before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Drip irrigation and hand watering can run on any day, but hand watering is still not allowed from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. At Stage 2, sprinklers drop to once a week, and a new landscape needs a district variance before it goes in. That is why we put beds on drip zones and keep thirsty lawn areas small.
The HOA's own design manual says deer are a major landscape menace in the Steiner Ranch area, and that few plants are fully deer-proof. We choose plants deer tend to skip, favor the HOA's approved plant list, and protect young trees until they settle in. Wildfire shapes the plan too. The manual's wildfire section suggests limbing trees up to 15 feet and keeping outdoor fires at least 30 feet from combustible material or plants that aren't fire-resistant. It also says not to plant anything under power lines that will grow within 10 feet of the wires. Lake Travis Fire & Rescue offers free home wildfire evaluations, and we are happy to design around what they find.
Tree work in Steiner Ranch comes with extra steps. The HOA requires a permit for all tree trimming and bans trimming from February 1 to June 30 because of oak wilt. Trees outside your lot belong to the HOA or the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, and no one may touch them without formal permission. Trimming inside the preserve is strictly prohibited, and the HOA fines for it. The design manual adds a replacement rule. A removed tree 19.5 inches or more in trunk diameter must be replaced with new trees of equal or greater total size. We check ownership, timing, and permits before any saw starts, including on storm cleanup jobs.
Hillside Hardscaping and Outdoor Living for Steiner Ranch Lots
Retaining Walls & Borders
Patios
Patio Covers
Walkways & Pathways
Fire & Water Features
Outdoor Kitchens
Driveways & Sidewalks
Concrete Overlay
Custom Landscape Design, Planting, and Storm Tree Work
Drip Irrigation and Drainage Built for WCID 17 Rules
Decks, Pergolas, Fences, and Sheds With the View in Mind
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!
How a Steiner Ranch Project Moves From Idea to Install
Most Steiner Ranch projects pass through more hands than a yard in central Austin. You approve the design, the HOA's architectural committee reviews it, and some jobs need a Travis County permit. Here is how we keep that simple.
Tell us what you want and what bothers you about the yard today. We ask about slopes that wash out, deer damage, trees you are worried about, and how you want to use the space.
- Your goals, budget range, and timing
- Erosion, deer, and tree problems you have seen
- Any HOA letters or past approvals on file
We walk your lot and check soil, slope, sun, drainage, and what is already there. Then we draw 2D plans and 3D renderings sized to the HOA manual, so the walls, plants, and structures fit the rules from the start.
- Soil, slope, sun, and drainage check on site
- 2D plans and 3D renderings of the finished yard
- $900 to $1,600 design fee, fully credited toward the build when you move forward
We adjust the design with you until it feels right. You get an itemized proposal, and we help put together your architectural committee submission. If the work needs a county permit, we handle it.
- Itemized proposal you can check line by line
- Help with the HOA architectural submission
- Travis County permits when the job requires one
Our crew builds with project management from start to finish. We keep erosion control in place on sloped lots while we work, set drip zones to your watering rules, and walk the finished yard with you.
- Project-managed build, usually 4 to 8 weeks
- Irrigation set to WCID 17 watering days
- Final walkthrough before we call it done
What Steiner Ranch Homeowners Ask Before They Build
Yes. The Steiner Ranch Master Association says any exterior work on a home or lot needs approval from its Architectural Controls Committee. That includes all landscaping, fencing, and pools. You submit the request through the HOA's resident portal. We draw plans that follow the Residential Design Guideline Manual, such as limestone retaining walls and plants from the approved list. Then we help you put the submission together. We set build dates after approval, so that review time is part of your schedule from day one.
Maybe not. The HOA's Residential Design Guideline Manual lists imitation or plastic plants, including synthetic turf, as prohibited. HOA rules can change, so we check the current rule with the committee before we quote turf. If turf is off the table, we can use native grasses, groundcovers, and mulched beds on drip irrigation instead. The same manual says gravel areas seen from the street need review, and at least half of any gravel area must stay planted.
Most of our design-build projects start at $20,000, and many land between $30,000 and $100,000. On a Steiner Ranch lot, the ground often drives the number. It depends on how steep the lot is, how many terrace walls it needs, and how much grading and drainage comes first. Your proposal is itemized, so you can see what the walls, plants, irrigation, and patio each cost. The $900 to $1,600 design fee is credited toward the build if you hire us.
Yes, when it is on your property. First we check where the tree came from. The HOA says trees outside your lot belong to the HOA or the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, and no one may alter them without formal permission. The HOA also requires a permit for all tree trimming and bans trimming from February 1 to June 30 because of oak wilt. If a large tree is lost, the design manual may require replacement trees. We sort that out before we cut.
Fall and early spring are the best planting windows, and the watering stage matters too. Under WCID 17's drought plan, a new landscape at Stage 2 needs an approved variance before it goes in, and each variance lasts no more than 30 days. Seasonal color beds and overseeding don't qualify. Drip irrigation is exempt from the sprinkler schedule at Stages 1 and 2, which makes new beds easier to establish. We check the district's current stage before we set a planting date. It helps to reach out 2 to 3 months ahead.
Often yes, with approval. The HOA manual says outdoor fireplaces, permanent barbecues, and grills need advance consent from the Master AC, and their openings need a spark arrestor, screen, or door. Its wildfire guidelines also call for outdoor fires to sit at least 30 feet from combustible material or plants that aren't fire-resistant. On a lot that backs onto brush, that spacing drives the whole layout. We place the fire feature first, use stone paving around it, and keep low-fuel planting nearby.
More Lake Travis and Austin Areas We Serve
Hudson Bend and Lakeway both sit on Lake Travis, and RM 620 runs past both Lakeway and Steiner Ranch. We also work in Davenport Ranch and across Austin. See every area we serve.
Explore our landscaping, masonry and hardscaping, deck building, concrete, and fencing services, or call (512) 240-2287 to talk through your Steiner Ranch yard.
