What happens at a consultation?

Consultations are held on site at your property. We start by having a walk around your garden or outside space and talking through how you currently use your outdoor space, identifying any problem areas and things that aren't working for you and discuss what you would like to achieve. This includes not only how you want it to look and feel, but how you want it to function, and other practical concerns such as the level of maintenance you're prepared to take on. 

After our meeting, we develop a proposal with a client brief and scope of work, together with a quote. From there, once the proposal is accepted, we start to develop the concept plan. 

Before we meet on site, take some time to think about your vision for your outdoor space and gardens.  There are many different styles of gardens and the selection of materials and plants is huge. Magazines and websites such as Pinterest are great for researching gardens and helping to refine your wishlist.

How does the design process work?

With the brief agreed, the process to draw up an initial concept plan begins. 

A site analysis is conducted, making note of all of the existing amenities and features as well as the local climate and environment, aspect, soil, drainage, existing trees among other things. With this information, and the client’s functional needs and wishlist of desires, a base plan is developed. From there we start to create diagrams with the layout of the different elements and zones. We keep playing with ideas and layouts until we come up with a concept we’re happy with and the concept plan develops from there.

Plant palettes and mood boards are developed and the concept is then refined with your input.  The final concept plan is then drawn up.

Further detailed plans are developed as required, such as hardscape and specific planting (horticultural) plans.

Recommendations and sourcing of landscape contractors, hardscape materials, lighting, decorative features and furniture and plants, may also be made.

What order should we do things in ?

You may want to break a large project up into stages to make it easier or cheaper to tackle. The order you complete different stages in will depend on the priority you give it and your own personal timelines. 

If renovating, it's better to wait for all building work to be completed before planting out a garden to avoid any plant damage. You don't want to risk damaging a garden with heavy building materials or work boots trampling over delicate new plants.

It may make sense to do some things at the same time - all the concreting at the same time (for example). You might want to complete any pool landscaping in time for Christmas, or to renovate garden beds in time for a planned event. Maybe you do the rear garden first and leave the front until last, or vice versa. 

We can help to identify the order of tasks for your project and will discuss your individual needs with you.

Can the project be completed in stages?

Yes. The beauty of a landscape design is you can develop a master plan that you then implement in stages, or as and when you are ready to do it. This is a great way to manage costs and timeframes. 

Over time, you can gradually add a pergola, a meditation zone or a firepit for example, and know that the final outcome is going to be a cohesive fit with the rest of your property.

Without having a vision, and a plan that sets out the overall design, you run the risk of ending up with a number of random elements that don’t go together and don’t flow. This can lead to disappointment and result in your outdoor space being left unused and ignored when it could be the jewel in the crown of your property.

How much value will this add to my home?

The curb appeal of your home is influenced in no small part by the garden. A well designed and maintained garden that helps merge the indoors with the out and provides opportunities for outdoor entertaining and relaxing can add to the overall attractiveness of your property. 

The Australian lifestyle is synonymous with outdoor living and Aussies place a high value on being able to entertain and relax outside. Outside spaces that provide opportunities for outdoor entertaining - BBQs and outdoor kitchens, firepits, pools and pavilions, attractive seating areas and other relaxation zones are all attractive to a buyer. Plants give shade, help reduce street noise and provide privacy and tranquility. 

According to research, getting the garden right can add tens of thousands of dollars to your sale price and could add as much as 20% or more to the value of your property. It’s an investment that increases your enjoyment of your property, will improve your sale price and can result in a quicker sale - an investment worth making.