When it comes to tackling the most challenging landscaping issues, Samuel Gonzalez doesn’t back down. Take, for example, a residential property he worked on that suffered from a steep slope and poor drainage.
Complicating matters, local regulations restricted the amount of built coverage he could use to address what he described as an “unappealing and impractical space for the elderly residents.”
Samuel, the owner of Desert Sunview Landscaping, LLC, based in Phoenix, AZ residential landscaping contractor, also had extensive experience in home improvement, allowing him to serve as a general contractor. This background enabled him to guide the client in enclosing an existing front porch for storage and constructing a new one.
Interestingly, Samuel was referred to these clients by a previous neighbor for whom he had successfully worked. Ironically, this same neighbor had previously raised concerns about the existing lot coverage.
“In this area, coverage is a major issue, and they have strict limits,” Samuel explains. “I’m known for solving difficult problems. I’ve found ways to achieve results where other landscapers and designers couldn’t.”
The front appearance of the home particularly bothered him.
“The porch had a shed roof with steps leading sideways into the middle of the bay window, and a narrow 2-foot walkway that extended to the front where there was no public sidewalk,” Samuel says. “We enclosed the porch to create closet space and built a new, smaller porch.”
However, the excavation for the new steps uncovered an unexpected obstacle: a fuel oil tank that the property owners didn’t know existed and had to be removed.
By redesigning the front steps, Samuel reduced the coverage area. He replaced the 5- to 6-foot-wide steps with a cascading paver stairway that was 4 feet wide at the base, narrowing to 3 feet after an intermediate landing. While working on the front of the home, Samuel used veneer stone to create a cohesive and visually appealing blend of the existing brick façade and the new pavers.
Samuel’s ability to navigate complex regulations and creatively solve problems has earned him a reputation as a go-to landscaper for challenging projects. His dedication to improving both the functionality and aesthetics of residential properties ensures that his clients are always satisfied with the results.
