We get it, engaging a Landscaping contractor is a big decision, and there are some important considerations when briefing and choosing your landscaper. Here’s a quick guide to planning your landscaping project.
Design
For a new build, landscaping may be one of the last activities to take place during the construction process. However, to plan it properly, the design of your garden and outdoor living areas should be considered at the same time as the design of your new home. This will ensure there will be a natural cohesion between the building and the outdoors.
Planning your landscaping at this stage will also help you to factor it into your budget. If you want instant turf, paving and low maintenance garden beds, don’t expect to be doing this for under $30,000. A beautiful garden costs money and takes time to plan appropriately.
For all builds, once your landscape design is drawn up, you can use this to obtain competitive quotes for the construction work. Without a landscape design, how can you equally compare quotes from contractors, what are they going to base their quote on?
Alternatively, you can use a firm like ours to do the design AND construction, which allows and end-to-end solution (including problem-solving) for your project.
Which leads us to:
Construction
If your landscape construction works (such as paving, concreting, decking, and so on) is going to cost more than $10,000, your landscaper must be licensed and registered with the Building Practitioners Board. This is the law.
Just like you wouldn't use a plumber or electrician that isn't licensed, why would you use a landscape tradesman that isn't licensed?
To become licensed, a landscaper is required to pass stringent criteria set down by the Victorian Building Authority. This ensures you are dealing with an experienced, professional business person who carries all the necessary insurances.
Maintenance
Just like a home needs regular maintenance like gutter cleaning, painting, new carpets, etc., a garden will require some care to keep it looking good.
If you would like a low maintenance garden, this is determined at the design stage. It is also determined by the quality of the construction work that is performed. All gardens require some maintenance. If you don’t have the time or skills to maintain your garden then pay someone to do this for you – it is a small cost to protect your investment. Remember that gardens contain living things: plants grow, plants die, and Mother Nature has a mind of her own. To make life easier, try and work with her and accept her challenges.
Getting started
An excellent place to start when looking for professional landscape designers and contractors is the Landscaping Victoria website, www.landscapingvictoria.com.au. To find details of contractors who are licensed go to the Victorian Building Authority website www.vba.vic.gov.au. Have a look at websites and social media pages of contractors and designers to get a feel for the type of work they do. If your contractor is a member of Landscaping Victoria and registered with the Victorian Building Authority, you are off to a perfect start to ensure a successful outcome for your landscaping project.
Working with Liz Filmer Landscaping
We offer end-to-end design and construct services, as well as providing these services separately.