Welcome to Sunset Oasis Landscape

About Us

Builder/Architect Special Feature

Sunset Oasis Landscapes
Landscapes from Zero to Amazing
By Debbie Morehouse

Sunset Oasis Landscapes have been in business since 1998. Tell us about your company. Why landscaping?

Sunset Oasis Landscapes is owner supervised and operated by Brandon and Kimberlee Collins. We have built a team of 35 full-time employees offering an unparalleled degree of professionalism, along with the attention to detail required when designing complex landscapes. Landscaping represents an opportunity to integrate, synergize and harmonize exterior architecture with interior design. It is exciting to participate in pulling a project together in collaboration with our clients and their construction professionals, thereby bringing their dreams to reality.

What challenges do you face when designing a landscape?

Landscaping is much more than just placing a tree or plant where it "fits." It involves organizing and developing a site to maximize utility and enjoyment, while creating a visual relationship between the home and the site while reducing, as necessary, landscape maintenance to a professional level. A superior design should be an extension of the indoor living area providing personality, style and functionality. Growth and change separate landscape design from other arts. Most art looks best when new, while landscape designs are often at their worst when new and improve with age. Good landscape design can significantly improve a homes appearance by adding warmth, livability and personality.

How does landscaping in the desert differ from other landscaping?

The Southern Nevada climate is comparatively harsh, with temperature swings from 20 degrees to 120 degrees. This makes planting the correct species of trees and plants critical to longevity. Because our soil is very dry and lacks moisture, it is very important that a landscape professional understand these environmental requirements. In addition to species selection, a proper landscape design must ensure proper drainage and irrigation. Using its experience in conjunction with proper design and planning techniques, Sunset Oasis Landscapes continues to create environments from water conserving desert xeriscapes to lush tropical gardens.

What does Sunset Oasis specialize in?

We specialize in taking an integrated project from the design phase to the completion of installation. The best landscapes compliment the architecture of a home or building; therefore, many builders come to us for input early in a project's planning. We can and have created a variety of landscapes including tropical, Mediterranean, contemporary, desert, Tuscan and FENG SHUI. We also work closely with experienced swimming pool and water feature contractors. Sunset Oasis Landscapes distinguishes itself through its design approach and project management skill set by its preference for, or commitment to, any particular landscape design style.

How does Sunset Oasis offer cost-saving installation ideas to customers?

Sunset Oasis Landscapes offers our clients the benefit of our value engineering experience and our cost management tools. Cost management tools include a documented, competitive bidding procedure that maximizes pricing advantage without compromising quality. In addition, we can value-engineer a project using money saving trees, plants and building materials to achieve the desired effect without exceeding the budget. In landscape design, it is often not the size of the budget, but the way in which it is spent that determines a project's final appearance.

Tell our readers about your computer enhanced design practices.

While based on established fundamentals, landscape design is also a creative and personal process. With no further obligation, we initially meet with customers to understand their objectives, desires and budget. Very often, customers provide us with pictures, drawings and samples that are most welcome. With the information gathered, and after visiting the site to assess its topography and existing elements, we prepare a color scaled plot plan of the specific landscape area. The plan focuses on achieving an aesthetic, functional and affordable preliminary design. The client reviews the drawing and designs, after which a second meeting can be held to further refine the concept, and develop imaginative solutions for creating a distinctive and affordable outdoor living environment. Next, hand drawn perspective views are prepared, so that a client can get a "feel" for the look of the finished product. The final step is to have the approved drawings called and labeled on the computer for accurate measurements, as well as species and material location. Throughout the entire design process, Sunset Oasis Landscapes focuses on developing a plan that achieves the client's vision within budgetary and existing environmental circumstances.

Your employees are trained in current landscapes industry standards as well as water conservation techniques. Please explain.

Sunset Oasis has invested in training its employees, and as a result, they posses comprehensive knowledge about the requirements for planting in a desert climate. Having successfully completed the SNWA (Southern Nevada Water Authority) Water Smart program and been designated "water smart contactor," we are certified to and fully capable of implementing water conserving drip irrigation and hydroponics systems.

You also install custom lighting throughout the customer's property, or just the landscaping?

Landscape lighting is a key element in any landscape design and represents both an art and a science. It is an art in that it requires the ability to understand space, form and balance, while using shades of illumination to bring ordinary shapes to life. At the same time, it is also a science because it requires a thorough knowledge of the many fixtures and bulbs available to achieve the desired lighting effects. Sunset Oasis' customers want their landscape lighting to reflect a variety of moods including parties, romance, relaxation and fun, or just as a backdrop. Within any budget, our outdoor lighting designs compliment a project's appearance, accentuating its beauty and functionality while ensuring a safe nighttime mobility and enhanced security.

Tell us about the water features you install.

Water has, for centuries, been a key element in landscape design because of its beauty, aesthetic and life sustaining qualities. Sunset Oasis understands the calming and therapeutic nature of moving water, as well as the pleasure that can be derived from looking at a pond. We specialize in water features of granite, stone and tiles suitable to the environment and (are) conscious of water conservation. We design and install water features including fountains, water walls, sheer descents, fish and / or lily ponds, as well as large, natural rock waterfalls. Sunset Oasis has the means and the expertise to design and build a large variety of water features and waterfalls that meet or exceed expectations while satisfying any budget. In addition, we have designed and built a broad range of fire features and outdoor fireplaces.

What is your experience with hardscapes?

A hardscape should be attractive, affordable and virtually maintenance free. Hardscapes are a vital part of landscape design in that they draw together the different elements of the environment by providing harmony and flow, while giving landscape definition. Sunset Oasis has integrated into its designs and installed most of the popular hardscape landscape surfaces used in Southern Nevada, including decorative gravel, stamped and colored concrete, slate and flagstone, as well as interlocking pavers. One currently popular application in the custom home industry is travertine pavers; a great looking product with superior durability at a competitive price.

What sets Sunset Oasis apart from other landscape companies?

Every project is managed from concept to execution at the executive level, and all work is done in-house by our talented and knowledgeable team, many of whom have been with us since 1998. No subcontractors have been used. We have invested the time and money to develop this capacity, because it translates for our clients into project cost saving and scheduling reliability. Constant communication with our clients helps us understand their expectation. Sunset Oasis sets high standards of excellence and empowers our staff to meet or exceed our clients' requirements. But above all, our clients value our landscape design knowledge and vision, which we enjoy sharing with builders and /or homeowners, helping to educate and guide them on what works and what does not work in Southern Nevada's challenging environment.

What specifically would a contractor or an architect need to know about Sunset Oasis that we haven't covered?

Sunset Oasis has the resources and expertise to deliver to its clients designs that integrate scale, color and harmony, while merging function with beauty. Within a range of budgets, we can create an environment that extends living space outdoors, makes a lasting impression and adds value to a home. We take pride in our work and enjoy working with nature. We are committed to client satisfaction and we are always willing to provide references. Sunset Oasis is not focused on or limited to a particular style or design. We bring integrity, knowledge, focus and unwavering commitment to client satisfaction to every project we undertake.