By June, patios are set, grills are going and backyards look effortless. But for Rob Jorgensen, owner of Twin Oaks Landscape Design, that finished look is never accidental.
It is the result of planning, experience and knowing how to build something that will last.
That mindset makes Jorgensen a natural fit for a June men’s issue. He is not flashy or interested in selling an image. What stands out instead is steadiness—a practical, grounded approach shaped by years of physical work and pride in doing the job right.
Jorgensen founded Twin Oaks in 2005, growing it from a grassroots operation into a full-service landscape design and construction firm known for high-end residential work throughout Somerset County.
Over nearly two decades, the company has taken on everything from planting design to backyard transformations with patios, pools, kitchens, fire features and retaining walls. But Jorgensen does not describe the work in sweeping terms. He talks about process, flow and the importance of thinking ahead.
“There’s a lot of planning involved,” Jorgensen says. “You have to think through everything so you’re not redoing work later.”
Before starting his own company, Jorgensen worked in landscape installation, nursery operations and alongside general contractors, building an understanding of both the aesthetic and structural sides of the business. That background still shapes the way he approaches every property. He does not see a patio, kitchen or wall as a standalone feature. He sees the yard as a complete system, where layout, drainage, grading and long-term use all have to work together.
That big-picture thinking matters, especially on the larger projects Twin Oaks has become known for. A pool can change the rhythm of a backyard. An outdoor kitchen affects circulation and utility placement. Retaining walls and patios are not just visual features; they also have to perform and hold up over time. For Jorgensen, good design is not about adding the most features. It is about making sure every part of the space feels intentional and functions the way it should.
Some of the company’s biggest projects are booked in January, long before the season begins. By the time summer arrives, the visible work may be nearly done, but the thinking behind it started months earlier.
Just as important as the build itself is the way Jorgensen approaches the client relationship. He insists the design cannot be driven by budget alone. It has to reflect the people living there.
“I try to get to know the client first,” he says. “That way we’re designing something that really fits their lifestyle.”
Those conversations shape everything that follows. How does the family entertain? Do they have children? Are they planning to stay in the home long term? Do they want a quiet retreat or a space for large gatherings? Jorgensen listens for those answers because they influence everything from layout to material choices.
“I’d rather guide them in the right direction than just sell them something,” he says.
That honesty has become central to the company’s reputation. Jorgensen knows homeowners are not just hiring a contractor; they are trusting someone with a major investment in their home. Professionalism matters to him, but presentation only goes so far. What matters most is whether the work is done properly.
That is where his pride in craftsmanship becomes especially clear. Structural integrity, correct installation and attention to detail are not extras. They are the foundation of the job. Patios have to sit right. Walls have to hold. The project has to make sense years later, not just the day it is finished.
He has also become a resource for homeowners dealing with the fallout from poor work done by other contractors. In an industry where quality can vary, he has seen what happens when corners are cut. That has only sharpened his commitment to consistency and accountability.
For all the logistics and problem-solving involved, the part he still enjoys most is the final reveal.
“I love seeing the reaction when we’re finished,” he says. “When they feel like their home has become something completely different.”
As Twin Oaks approaches its third decade, Jorgensen remains focused on steady growth and work that holds up over time.
“I just want to keep doing great work,” he says.
Jorgensen represents something quieter and harder to fake: experience, restraint and confidence built on doing the job well.
Twin Oaks Landscape Design
Hillsborough, NJ
908-281-9105
twinoaksland.com
“I love seeing the reaction when we’re finished. When they feel like their home has become something completely different.”
—Rob Jorgensen