Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Jun 06, 2010 10:38 am Hi All I am becoming extremely confused with each new landscaper I talk to about what I should or shouldn't do, obtaining a quote, ideas etc. Perhaps I am a little ignorant as to the way landscapers work, but what I want to be able to achieve is this: I want to speak to a landscaper and formulate some ideas or designs for our block (which is currently awaiting excavation - no house or anything built yet). I want some plans or at leat pics of what we are discussing and then some firm prices. Is this unreasonable to expect? Both the house builders and pool buuilders were happy to do this in order to obtain our business. So far, I have been told I have to pay upwards of $800 for a landscape plan (depending on what we want), or have been given really lose verbal quotes and one quote in writing but no plans so can't really visualise what is being referred to. Can anyone out there help shed light on this matter? Re: Landscapers in the Hills - Sydney 2Jun 06, 2010 11:42 am Can't really help, but I've also noticed that some traders are just too precious ... Some seem to be similar to supermodels who won't get out of bed for some "miserable" amount . I even had one guy wanting to charge me for quoting. One guy wouldn't say what method of floor installation he uses - he said he would need to charge for "educating" me and giving me "technical" info . Apparently he didn't realise that it was his job interview and a test. (And who would rely on one guy for proper technical info which is so widely available!) Anyway, do you have a landscape plan in your tender with your builder? Most of them just automatically stick it in there ... Are you a knock-down rebuild or empty land? I'm sure you'd need to have it via the builder for empty land? Or is it the builder's 800 charge for it? My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Landscapers in the Hills - Sydney 3Jun 06, 2010 1:23 pm Hi Lex Builder doesn't do landscape plan except to say where retaining walls will be after handover and gradient of driveway. And they say council doesn't need one and developer say they don't either but I really want to find out costs associated with my ideas so ic an keep some in reserve. Funnily enough, one landscaper critised my pool designwhich we worked on for a long time so needless to say he won't be getting the job. Re: Landscapers in the Hills - Sydney 4Jun 06, 2010 8:21 pm Yes, I worded it poorly (should have said "do you have a landscape plan costed in your tender"). As far as I know, builders usually don't do the landscape plans, they usually outsource it to someone (and you can also select to whom, I think, from memory) and then charge you for the "service". What they actually pay to the person who creates the plan - no idea. They were also adamant in saying that it is the council who forces it - needles to say, a call to the council cleared things up. So you are building on 'empty' land, in a development estate? I thoguht in that case they would be even more demanding about the plan My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Landscapers in the Hills - Sydney 5Jun 06, 2010 9:22 pm If you're looking for a decent landscaping company in Sydney who draft plans, try Eco Design. I used them for our landscaping plan and they were the cheapest, i think i paid about $550 for ours, and the plan is great, they did exactly what i asked! They also do actual landscaping and can quote you on that... we're doing the landscaping ourselves because we can't afford to pay anyone. Re: Landscapers in the Hills - Sydney 6Jun 06, 2010 9:31 pm Landscapers have the problem that lots of people get them to do the design, then go off and do all the work themselves. Result, one happy house owner, one peed off landscaper. Therefore, most of them now charge to produce a landscape plan given there is quite a lot of work in it for them. A basic sketch could be $200-$300 and a detailed plan with individual plant names up to $1,000. I get the impression it is not like a house or swimming pool. Due to the high number of variables, you end up putting a lot of trust that your landscaper will do the right thing. I am early in my project, so can't really comment on my outcome yet. But so far so good. Happy to give you the detail if you pm me, but they do Japanese gardens only and are not particularly cheap. Re: Landscapers in the Hills - Sydney 7Jun 07, 2010 5:25 am I think sometimes peoples expectations on Tradesmen are high. There has to be a degree of realism on both sides. I have always in the past nutted out what I wanted to achieve. You need to be clear what you want. Tropical or sub tropical garden, Certain trees you may have seen that you like, What kind of materials you might want them to use in your garden, Budget for paving, driveways, plants, What you want to use the garden for, ie childs play area, BBQ, Pool, patio, vege garden etc Fencing or privacy needs, When you might want them to start work, they need to schedule it. You get a better fit when both sides are clear Re: Landscapers in the Hills - Sydney 8Jun 07, 2010 7:15 am Hi Guys, We also used Eco Design, don't know the cost as it was part of house package. Rebecca from Eco was great, emailed a few tips on what we needed to consider prior to appointment & @ meeting just asked us what our preferences were & drew it up. Eco do a lot of the Delphin work so are aware of most of the estates requirements. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ As we were leaving I casually asked what we could expect to pay to have the job done - $25-35K BTW - Boral have a clearance yard @ Prospect with end of line/2nds etc on pavers, retaining blocks, bricks if you want to save some $$ & don't need 1st quality. BTW2 - Son has a mate who does landscaping so will be also getting an estimate from him also!! Re: Landscapers in the Hills - Sydney 9Jun 07, 2010 9:58 am I used Eco Design as well. Took advantage of a Delphin promotion at the time, otherwise my landscape plan was going to be very ordinary at best. Rebecca was great. Was very happy with her. I basically told her up front I had no idea what plants, etc I wanted. Let her go away and design something, and she came back with something that I love. I gave her a brief outline on what I might do down the track, ie pool, etc. She knew (or at least did her research) all the covenants and requirements of my block and my neighbours' blocks. She knew more than I did! I think considering the changes, and detail that she put into it, if you got something similar to NevilleW or mine (check my blog), $800 would be money well spent. I think I had about 3-4 plan changes. I will get a quote from them when it gets closer to the time. I am planning on doing some of it myself as well. Cheers Re: Landscapers in the Hills - Sydney 10Jun 07, 2010 10:58 am Thanks everyone for your input. Think I will get ion contact with one of those recommended here and get that plan done. Re: Landscapers in the Hills - Sydney 11Jun 07, 2010 10:27 pm I think you need to be more realistic with your design based trades. Not many landscapers will charge you for quotes as they all want your work. But, in order for that to happen then you need to know exactly what you what completed. That can be in the form of a landscape plan, concept plan or just a bit of scribble you did in front of the tv. Then you can get a firm 'quote'. If you want a landscaper to turn up and spend and hour or two going through ideas and photos with you until you see something you like then expect them to go home and scetch it up for you to see then expect to pay. That becomes 'consultation'. You can't go into a doctors office and have a ten minute chat without paying a consultation fee, if you want a free consultation then find a landscaper just starting out who is willing to do for free what most landscapers will charge for. Re: Landscapers in the Hills - Sydney 12Jun 08, 2010 8:52 am Hi NevilleW, Does the price they mentioned (25-35k) incude all the plants as per specifications, all concreting (inside and on cross-over), fencing etc. as shown on the plan? And do you have any differences in levels, requiring some minor earthmoving and retaining walls? My signature is distracting people from my wise posts ... Re: Landscapers in the Hills - Sydney 13Jun 09, 2010 7:37 am Hi Lex, I really didn't go into it further after that price was suggested. All concreting is in the house price, side & rear fencing was not included, so we assume it was only for front fence, plants & pavers (supply & laying). We'll probably do it ourselves when we are ready, but that's 6 months away. Re: Landscapers in the Hills - Sydney 15Jun 09, 2010 10:39 am What you guys need to do is think of landscape plans the same way you think of building plans. No home builder or architect is going to give you custom building plans for free. As such, no landscaper is going to give you custom landscape plans (hand drawn or otherwise) for free. Once you understand that, then it makes sense. You pay the landscaper to create the custom plan for you ($$), then you can get a quote from anyone for what's in that plan. Greg If you organise it yourself make you get any prelays done under the concrete before you start. It's often handy to put in a couple of 90mm sleeves across your driveway so… 2 33839 Thanks again Simeon for being so elaborate. Appreciate it. Its gives us a very idea. Kind Regards 4 2005 Even if it's not being sub-divided and you want to keep it as Torrens title, you will still need to talk to a town planner or Council themselves, to see if they will allow… 1 6853 |