We are a locally owned and operated company with 30+ years of Landscape Design experience. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work as well as our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building lasting relationships with our clients and guarantee your satisfaction!
"Great experience, lots of good ideas and was very willing to work with my ideas"
Dale W on December 2012
We are a locally owned and operated company with 30+ years of Landscape Design experience. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work as well as our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building lasting relationships with our clients and guarantee your satisfaction!
"Great experience, lots of good ideas and was very willing to work with my ideas"
Dale W on December 2012
The Carmel Guild is a "Family Owned" and "Family Operated" Construction and Real Estate company with over 50 years experience in these trades. We specialize in kitchen and bathroom design and remodeling. Property preparation and readiness for the Real Estate market. We strive for customer satisfaction and pride ourselves with an eye for detail. If you are planning to improve or sell your home this year we would like to meet with you.
"Jim and his carpenter were both all over this project. Parts/materials were ordered the same day work contract was signed. The old deck was quickly demolished and hauled off. I checked in 2 - 3 times over the build period and could see Jim's team had zero problems building exactly to architectural print. I was very impressed with the build quality and workmanship as well as overall interactions with me. Job well done."
David M on December 2023
The Carmel Guild is a "Family Owned" and "Family Operated" Construction and Real Estate company with over 50 years experience in these trades. We specialize in kitchen and bathroom design and remodeling. Property preparation and readiness for the Real Estate market. We strive for customer satisfaction and pride ourselves with an eye for detail. If you are planning to improve or sell your home this year we would like to meet with you.
"Jim and his carpenter were both all over this project. Parts/materials were ordered the same day work contract was signed. The old deck was quickly demolished and hauled off. I checked in 2 - 3 times over the build period and could see Jim's team had zero problems building exactly to architectural print. I was very impressed with the build quality and workmanship as well as overall interactions with me. Job well done."
David M on December 2023
System Pavers is the nation’s leading outdoor remodeling company, thanks to award-winning customer service and more than 30 years of experience behind every install. With every project backed by industry-leading warranties, over 90,000 homeowners have trusted System Pavers to create beautiful, easy-to-maintain outdoor spaces where family and friends can connect for generations. System Pavers’ visionary designers and expert installation teams specialize in hardscapes, patios, driveways, turf, outdoor kitchens, BBQ islands, water features, fire features, decking, and more. Learn more at systempavers.com.
"Project Manager was on the site right from the beginning. I appreciated all the help the crew did in order to finish the project, so exponentially. Nice job."
Deb R on September 2023
System Pavers is the nation’s leading outdoor remodeling company, thanks to award-winning customer service and more than 30 years of experience behind every install. With every project backed by industry-leading warranties, over 90,000 homeowners have trusted System Pavers to create beautiful, easy-to-maintain outdoor spaces where family and friends can connect for generations. System Pavers’ visionary designers and expert installation teams specialize in hardscapes, patios, driveways, turf, outdoor kitchens, BBQ islands, water features, fire features, decking, and more. Learn more at systempavers.com.
"Project Manager was on the site right from the beginning. I appreciated all the help the crew did in order to finish the project, so exponentially. Nice job."
Deb R on September 2023
is a leader in providing our customers with the highest quality service in an honest, efficient, and professional way. Our pledge is to create successful relationships with our customers, employees and community by building trust, treating every project with the utmost integrity and exceeding expectations. We look forward to working with you!
"After construction job was finished, there was Immediate response to any problems or questions that arose."
Mary A on August 2021
is a leader in providing our customers with the highest quality service in an honest, efficient, and professional way. Our pledge is to create successful relationships with our customers, employees and community by building trust, treating every project with the utmost integrity and exceeding expectations. We look forward to working with you!
"After construction job was finished, there was Immediate response to any problems or questions that arose."
Mary A on August 2021
The Carmel Guild is a "Family Owned" and "Family Operated" Construction and Real Estate company with over 50 years experience in these trades. We specialize in kitchen and bathroom design and remodeling. Property preparation and readiness for the Real Estate market. We strive for customer satisfaction and pride ourselves with an eye for detail. If you are planning to improve or sell your home this year we would like to meet with you.
"Jim Johnston and his fantastic team of real pros worked hard and transformed an aging dark cramped bathroom space into an absolutely beautiful modern miracle. We hired Jim's wife Day as a designer and her ideas and creativity created the magic. We had a great experience with back and forth communication throughout the process. Each of the subcontractors were master craftsmen. They all took great pride in their work and genuinely wanted us to be happy. We could not be happier with the finished product, and cannot recommend them highly enough."
Anila and Eliot L on November 2023
The Carmel Guild is a "Family Owned" and "Family Operated" Construction and Real Estate company with over 50 years experience in these trades. We specialize in kitchen and bathroom design and remodeling. Property preparation and readiness for the Real Estate market. We strive for customer satisfaction and pride ourselves with an eye for detail. If you are planning to improve or sell your home this year we would like to meet with you.
"Jim Johnston and his fantastic team of real pros worked hard and transformed an aging dark cramped bathroom space into an absolutely beautiful modern miracle. We hired Jim's wife Day as a designer and her ideas and creativity created the magic. We had a great experience with back and forth communication throughout the process. Each of the subcontractors were master craftsmen. They all took great pride in their work and genuinely wanted us to be happy. We could not be happier with the finished product, and cannot recommend them highly enough."
Anila and Eliot L on November 2023
Black Diamond has been family owned & operated since 2004 with local offices in San Jose, Novato, San Mateo, San Ramon, Santa Cruz, Carmel, Sacramento, and Thousand Oaks. With an exemplary reputation of being the leader in paver stone and landscape design & installation throughout California, our company’s ultimate goal is to provide an exceptional client experience. Our family of experts will create your custom Dreamscape with a commitment to professionalism, quality, value and customer service. We work with “Experts Only” to achieve 100% customer satisfaction by offering the highest quality work, including a 27 year warranty on paver installation & a lifetime warranty on paver stones.
"Sahar at Black Diamond was a real find for us! In a little over 3 weeks, she and her crew transformed our drab, worn out and outdated patio into a gorgeous space reminiscent of a Tuscan villa. The carefully selected pavers and retaining walls have given a new beauty to our outdoor living area. The real charm of the area is seen at night with addition of the carefully designed lighting, giving it a bit of a calm Zen feeling. Sahar brings an infectious, confident energy and exceptional design aesthetic to her work. We loved her ideas and recommendations and the ease of working with her throughout the project. She is very hands-on with the subcontractors and effectively managed all aspects of the work—including necessary design changes that arose as the project progressed. She was effective in managing costs so that the project stayed within budget. Based on our experience, we look forward to working with Sahar again and highly recommend for landscape design and implementation."
Darcy B on January 2025
Black Diamond has been family owned & operated since 2004 with local offices in San Jose, Novato, San Mateo, San Ramon, Santa Cruz, Carmel, Sacramento, and Thousand Oaks. With an exemplary reputation of being the leader in paver stone and landscape design & installation throughout California, our company’s ultimate goal is to provide an exceptional client experience. Our family of experts will create your custom Dreamscape with a commitment to professionalism, quality, value and customer service. We work with “Experts Only” to achieve 100% customer satisfaction by offering the highest quality work, including a 27 year warranty on paver installation & a lifetime warranty on paver stones.
"Sahar at Black Diamond was a real find for us! In a little over 3 weeks, she and her crew transformed our drab, worn out and outdated patio into a gorgeous space reminiscent of a Tuscan villa. The carefully selected pavers and retaining walls have given a new beauty to our outdoor living area. The real charm of the area is seen at night with addition of the carefully designed lighting, giving it a bit of a calm Zen feeling. Sahar brings an infectious, confident energy and exceptional design aesthetic to her work. We loved her ideas and recommendations and the ease of working with her throughout the project. She is very hands-on with the subcontractors and effectively managed all aspects of the work—including necessary design changes that arose as the project progressed. She was effective in managing costs so that the project stayed within budget. Based on our experience, we look forward to working with Sahar again and highly recommend for landscape design and implementation."
Darcy B on January 2025
We manage the whole process, from the preliminary estimating to the final clean-up, with thorough attention to detail and open communication. I believe in working with people and keeping them informed every step of the way. Quality takes priority, either a job is done right or its not worth doing at all. After all, this is a tailor- made service for you.
"Juan Flores updated a bathroom for us including vanity, flooring, paint, and wall repairs. His cost and schedule estimates were accurate, the workmanship was excellent, and he communicated with us clearly about everything. We were happy to have hired him for the job and I would not hesitate to do so again. "
Jesse K on February 2025
We manage the whole process, from the preliminary estimating to the final clean-up, with thorough attention to detail and open communication. I believe in working with people and keeping them informed every step of the way. Quality takes priority, either a job is done right or its not worth doing at all. After all, this is a tailor- made service for you.
"Juan Flores updated a bathroom for us including vanity, flooring, paint, and wall repairs. His cost and schedule estimates were accurate, the workmanship was excellent, and he communicated with us clearly about everything. We were happy to have hired him for the job and I would not hesitate to do so again. "
Jesse K on February 2025
We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty, integrity and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of general contractor home improvement services that are customizable to each individual project. We specialize in additions and kitchen remodels, but also offer a wide range of expertise for a variety of other projects. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work as well as our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building lasting relationships and guarantee your satisfaction!
"They are really professional and excellent!"
Maria C on January 2018
We are a locally owned and operated company that values honesty, integrity and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of general contractor home improvement services that are customizable to each individual project. We specialize in additions and kitchen remodels, but also offer a wide range of expertise for a variety of other projects. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work as well as our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building lasting relationships and guarantee your satisfaction!
"They are really professional and excellent!"
Maria C on January 2018
FLJ INC is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.
"Hard working staff. Get a good understanding of expected schedule."
Ed M on February 2023
FLJ INC is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.
"Hard working staff. Get a good understanding of expected schedule."
Ed M on February 2023
Cruz Construction prides to be the number one home improvement company in the area. We service both residential and commercial properties. With over 15 years in business, Cruz Construction, is the best Santa Cruz County has to offer. We have great rates for you to transform your home. Please call us today for your free estimate! Thanks!
"Sabas is honest, timely, patient, a good listener, and a great communicator. His employees are hardworking, quiet, clean, and trustworthy. I had Cruz Construction do an addition, paint cabinets, new floors, a roof, and shower remodel. "
Melinda W on January 2025
Cruz Construction prides to be the number one home improvement company in the area. We service both residential and commercial properties. With over 15 years in business, Cruz Construction, is the best Santa Cruz County has to offer. We have great rates for you to transform your home. Please call us today for your free estimate! Thanks!
"Sabas is honest, timely, patient, a good listener, and a great communicator. His employees are hardworking, quiet, clean, and trustworthy. I had Cruz Construction do an addition, paint cabinets, new floors, a roof, and shower remodel. "
Melinda W on January 2025
Installing a marble backsplash costs about $2,200 on average, ranging from $600 to $6,000, depending on the variety of marble and the labor costs to prep and install. Common types of marble used for backsplashes include:
Makrana: $12 per square foot
Pink: $25 per square foot
Carrara: $40 per square foot
Statuatrio: $50 per square foot
Cultured: $65 per square foot
Travertine: $75 per square foot
Danby: $80 per square foot
Calacatta: $180 per square foot
Marble countertops cost $3,000 on average, ranging from about $2,000 to $5,000, depending on the type of marble, square footage, location, and whether you use tiles or slabs. Another major cost factor to consider is the grading of the marble, which determines its quality level.
Use this grading system when selecting marble for countertops:
Grade A: Nearly perfect with subtle veining
Grade B: Minor flaws such as pits, fissures, or blotches
Grade C: Minor and major flaws like chipping and cracks requiring repair
Grade D: Significant damage needing repair, with dark veining and pronounced colors
Granite and marble compare well against each other in terms of price, durability, and aesthetic appeal. Deciding which one is better depends on your personal style and preference. Both materials resist damage like chips and cracks well. You should seal both material types against staining and etching, but they’re still susceptible if oil, wine, coffee, tomato sauce, or juice are left on the countertop long enough. As material and installation costs range similarly, the deciding factor is your budget, design, and preferences.
Installing granite kitchen countertops costs about $3,250, ranging from $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the quantity and quality of the granite, use of granite tile or granite slabs, the type of granite, and its color and texture. Varieties of granite include:
Alaska white: $35 per square foot
Ubatuba: $30–$60 per square foot
Silver cloud: $35–$40 per square foot
Absolute black: $45–$60 per square foot
Black galaxy: $50–$70 per square foot
Blue Louise: $70–$100 per square foot
Crema Bordeaux: $80 per square foot
Solarius: $60 per square foot
Overall, granite tends to cost more than marble. Prices for each material will fluctuate depending on the source of the stone, your location, shipping costs, and the thickness of the material. Labor to install marble or granite countertops typically ranges from $35 to $45 per hour. Granite and marble tile and slab costs compare as follows:
Marble tile: $7–$10
Granite tile: $5–$15
Marble slab: $25–$60
Granite slab: $50–$100