Whilst it may not be apparent during the planning of a new home or renovation, it is important to fully understand what implications the building works may have on the landscape that you will be left with once the builder has finished. Over the years I have met many people who have had to bear the costs of unforeseen landscape issues.

A builder is not particularly interested in how liveable your outdoor spaces will be once their works have finished. To advise you of landscape issues created by building works can possibly reduce the budget for his works, scare possible clients off doing the project and add complications to the project that he is simply not interested in.

A landscape consultation during the planning stages can :-

For the dedicated “D.I.Y” enthusiast we can supply construction notes and plans that will explain how to go about all of your works. Regular site visits during the project can also help keep you on the right track.

DESIGN SERVICE

Your desires for your outdoor spaces can be put onto paper and enhanced to produce plans that meet Australian Standards for Landscape Plans that are acceptable to all local councils in the Sydney basin.

We can supply plans in the following formats:-

Concept plans
These plans show the basic design of the garden, plant names and positioning, all drawn to scale in an easy to read format. Usually drawn for the “D.I.Y.” operator, or as part of the contract documents for Landscape works.

Landscape Plans
Drawn mainly for the use of Landscape contractors where there is a fair amount of detail involved in the works. They usually give spot heights for paving, lawn & garden levels as well as retaining walls to ensure that what the contractor builds is what was drawn. With one of these plans it is possible for the client to get the concept built exactly as planned.

Working Drawings
Mainly drawn for details of special features in the landscape such as retaining walls, paving, water features, free standing walls, pergolas etc. These plans are usually drawn in 1:10 & 1:20 scale on A4 paper as a supplement to the other plan forms listed here.

Council Plans
These plans meet all council requirements for landscaping. If lodging them with your development application - perhaps for a new house, renovation or addition - you can expect that a redraw may be required once all of the council development conditions have been received with the approval conditions. A redraw usually involves some minor changes to planting and on rare occasions drainage and “Overland Flow” requirements.

CONSTRUCTION

A team of landscapers, under the direct control of the owner (myself - Graeme Jesse), can attend to all construction requirements. As I will have done the initial quote with you, there will be nothing lost in the translation from initial talks to completion. I am “hands on” for every phase of the construction.

With our excavation equipment we can do earthworks such as level changes & footings. Other “hardscapes” works include walling, paving, water features etc The “softworks” are such as stripping out the existing plant material, soil testing & improvement, plant selection, installation & establishment and mulching.

Some of the works that my team is capable of undertaking are:-

MAINTENANCE

Landscapes for Living has horticultural professionals that can look after your job once it has been put in place by the construction team.
The service will take care of any pests and diseases that may appear and with some plant types take preventative action.

All of the plant material will be shaped and maintained to ensure that the desired effects are achieved in due course.

A responsible fertilising programme can be undertaken to ensure that the best results are achieved as quickly as possible whilst maintaining a healthy and strong growth habit.

Trained eyes will strive to seek out and remove any weed seedlings that may pop up in your gardens as quickly as possible. Trained horticulturalists know which weeds can be pulled out by hand and those that need to be treated before removal.