Homeowner Guide
Check the contractor's Idaho license and insurance, get a written proposal before you pay any deposit, and compare estimates scope by scope instead of comparing totals. Altavera is licensed and insured in Idaho (License #6971895), and we only ask for a deposit to schedule after you have a written proposal in hand.
This page covers how to verify a contractor, what to look for in each estimate, the red flags worth walking away from, and a free comparison table you can bring to your consult.
The Short Answer
A contractor you can trust with a deposit is licensed, insured, and willing to put the full scope in writing before asking for money.
Start with the basics. Ask for the contractor's Idaho registration number and look it up in the state's public contractor lookup, then ask for proof of liability insurance. Next, insist on a written proposal that describes the work, materials, and responsibilities before any deposit changes hands. A contractor who resists any of those steps is telling you something important.
Comparing estimates is where most homeowners get tripped up. Two totals can look far apart simply because one estimate includes drainage, base prep, irrigation changes, permits, and cleanup while the other leaves them out. Line the scopes up item by item before you look at totals. That holds whether you are planning a simple patio or a full backyard renovation in Meridian.
At Altavera, we are licensed and insured in Idaho (License #6971895) and women-owned. You get a written proposal after an on-site estimate, and the deposit is what places your project on the schedule. One scope, one team, one point of contact, so you always know who is answering your questions. That is what we mean by Built to a Higher Standard.
Key Takeaway
Verify the license and insurance, get the full scope in writing, and only then talk about a deposit. Compare scopes, not totals.
What to Look For
01
Ask for the contractor's Idaho registration number and confirm it in the state's public lookup. Ask for a current certificate of liability insurance. Altavera is licensed and insured in Idaho, License #6971895, and we are glad to share those details before you commit to anything.
02
Treasure Valley yards often have clay, caliche, or builder grading that sends water toward the house. A good estimate says how water will be handled. If one bid covers drainage and another is silent, they are not the same job. See how we approach irrigation and drainage in Nampa.
03
Pavers, turf, courts, and walls are only as good as what sits under them. Look for excavation depth, base material, and compaction described in plain terms. Freeze-thaw winters punish thin base, so a vague line here deserves a follow-up question.
04
Does the estimate cover moving sprinkler lines, connecting to your pressurized irrigation, or running gas and electrical for a kitchen or fire feature? Underground work belongs before hardscape. If it is missing, ask who handles it and where it fits in the sequence.
05
Ask how permits and HOA architectural review are handled. Altavera pulls the permit when a project needs one and coordinates HOA review, so approvals are part of the plan instead of a surprise later. An estimate with no permit plan is a red flag.
06
Check whether removal of existing concrete, rock, or sod and final cleanup are included. Also ask who manages the work. Altavera manages the whole project and coordinates every trade (for example concrete, cover, electrical, gas) under one contract and one point of contact, with licensed trades where required.
Honest Comparison
A lower total often means a smaller scope, not a better deal. Our guide to what drives outdoor project cost explains why scopes differ so much.
| Aspect | Line-by-Line Scope Review | Bottom-Line Total Only |
|---|---|---|
| Drainage | Shows how water is graded and carried away from the house | Often left out, so problems surface after the install |
| Base prep | Excavation, base material, and compaction described | Unknown, so you cannot tell if the base is adequate |
| Irrigation and utilities | Sprinkler changes, gas, and electrical listed | May be excluded and added later as change orders |
| Permits and HOA | Clear plan for permits and HOA review | Rarely mentioned until a problem comes up |
| Removal and cleanup | Removal of existing surfaces and haul-off included | Easy to miss until you see the leftover pile |
Who This Is For
If your project involves drainage, grading, utilities, or more than one feature, a line-by-line review is the only fair way to compare. It takes more effort up front, but it shows you exactly what each contractor plans to build and what they left out.
Comparing totals alone only makes sense when two estimates describe the exact same work, materials, and site prep in the same detail. That is rare for outdoor projects, so treat the total as the last thing you compare, not the first.
Our Process
Tell us about your yard and goals. You can book a free phone consult online, and your estimator confirms whether the project is a fit before anyone visits.
Look up License #6971895 in Idaho's public contractor lookup and ask for our insurance details. Do the same for every contractor you are considering, and note anything that does not check out.
If it is a fit, your estimator walks the property, looks at grade, soil, access, and utilities, and talks through design ideas. Then you receive a written proposal with the full scope.
Use the comparison table below to line up each proposal item by item: drainage, base prep, irrigation, utilities, permits, removal, and cleanup. Ask each contractor to fill any gaps in writing.
Once you have a written proposal you are comfortable with, the deposit places your project on the schedule. Spring and summer book up fast, and your estimator reviews timing once the scope is defined.
Free Planning Tool
Print it or keep it on your phone and bring it to your consult. Fill in one column per contractor.
This table is for your own notes and does not replace a written proposal.
Keep Planning
Comparing estimates usually leads to a few other questions. If you are picking up after another contractor, read about finishing a project another contractor left.
Altavera serves Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Star, Kuna, Nampa, Caldwell, Middleton, Garden City, Emmett and nearby communities in Ada, Canyon and Gem counties.
FAQ
Verify the contractor's Idaho license and insurance, and never pay a deposit until you have a written proposal that spells out the full scope. A deposit should place your project on the schedule, not replace a contract. At Altavera, the deposit comes after the written proposal, and you have one point of contact from estimate to finish.
Compare scopes line by line before you compare totals. Check whether each estimate covers drainage and grading, base prep, irrigation and utilities, permits and HOA review, removal of existing surfaces, and cleanup. A gap in one estimate usually explains most of the difference between two totals.
Ask for the contractor's registration number and look it up in Idaho's public contractor lookup, then ask for a current certificate of insurance. Altavera is licensed and insured in Idaho under License #6971895. Whether you live in Boise, Meridian, or Nampa, the same check applies to every contractor you talk to.
Watch for one-line scopes with no detail, no mention of drainage or base prep, no plan for permits or HOA review, and pressure to pay before you see anything in writing. Also be cautious if nobody can tell you who will manage the project day to day. Clear answers in writing are a good sign.
Yes. Altavera offers a 1-year warranty on all completed work, including plants and trees. When you compare estimates, read each written proposal line by line so you know exactly what scope each contractor is including.
Yes. Getting more than one estimate is smart, and we would rather you compare carefully than feel rushed. Put our written proposal and the others into the comparison table, and ask your estimator about any line that looks different. Eagle homeowners often find the real difference is in drainage, base prep, or HOA coordination.
Start Your Project
Book a free 15-minute phone consult or request a quote. If the project is a fit, you get a written proposal you can compare line by line.
Prefer to talk? Call 208-314-9967 or book a free phone consult.
Licensed & Insured · Idaho Contractor License #6971895 · Serving Boise & the Treasure Valley
We elevate outdoor spaces with professional planning, expert execution, and quality craftsmanship — because your outdoor space is an extension of your home, not an afterthought.
Elevated standards. Real integrity.
Idaho Contractor License ID #6971895 · Women-Owned Business
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3313 W Cherry Lane Suite 1053 Meridian, ID 83642