Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Jun 20, 2012 12:03 pm Hi All, We're looking to commence landscaping our property, looking for word of wisdom and experiences you can share. We have engaged a designer to build a plan for both hard landscaping and planting guide. We've done our material selections and identified suppliers for things like pavers. At this point we're evaluating several contractors for execution. My question is, what are the things to look out for when engaging contractors? Is there an standard contract that landscape contractors typically use? What are the typical progress payment milestones? How do you manage variations? What are the pitfalls we need to be wary of? Thanks! Re: Landscape Contractors - Things to look out for? 3Jun 27, 2012 6:20 am What is the contract price? Check previous work would be my recommendation for any contractor you hire Landscape Design & Construction http://cherub.squarespace.com/ Re: Landscape Contractors - Things to look out for? 5Aug 10, 2012 10:51 pm Has the designer done the technical drawings or just a design? For the others, have you gotten your quotes from all of them? Do they all have relevant licenses and qualifications? Who is submitting plans to counsel if needed? Have you gone over quotes with fine tooth comb to make sure they include everything? From memory we paid 10% to commence work and the every month made a progress payment, about 5 months in total, don't pay everything before completion, there won't be that incentive for them to come back and fix little things you notice when they're gone. Did they give timeframes? Weather can drag out progress.. Re: Landscape Contractors - Things to look out for? 6Aug 16, 2012 10:00 am This might be an issue actually, our designer only did high level technical drawings. Our hard landscaping elements are quite simple, but it's still a risk. In the past 12 months or so, we went through 7-8 quotes from different contractors. Checked their credentials and qualification. Checked council requirements, thankfully we don't need any permit applications. A couple of weeks ago we finally decided to proceed with one contractor. Went through several iteration of the contract, put down 10% deposit, and agree on initial dates/work schedule. We agreed two payment milestones, one half way through and one at the end. Not sure if it's safer to have more milestones? Fingers crossed. I'm very nervous about this project. Re: Landscape Contractors - Things to look out for? 7Aug 17, 2012 12:04 am viewtopic.php?f=19&t=21647 viewtopic.php?f=19&t=21643 You have done a fair bit already to make sure you know what you expect. You have sourced your fav materials. Make sure irrigation is water wise. No micro sprays, MP rotators and netafim is advised. Make sure soils are amended. Zeolite at least needs to be added. Make sure the soils are blended with what you have existing, not layered thinly Know your plants. Or at least what you like, what is recommended by a number of garden centres. The WA plant list is a ripping source for plants. Don't let it being WA put you off. Its lists are very relevant to other parts of the country. I know the guy who put them together and he is very highly regarded. http://www.watercorporation.com.au/W/wa ... -2997-2837 All plants are easily sourced from plant suppliers Australia wide. Re: Landscape Contractors - Things to look out for? 8Aug 20, 2012 11:59 am Thanks Fu! The WA plant list is absolutely amazing. I like the way that you can tailor to geographic locations throughout the state. Budget will only allow us to do hard landscaping this year, but will keep this in mind when we get to that stage. Which area do you think closely resemble VIC? I'm about 15k north of Melbourne CBD, the soil seems rather clay-ish? Considering the variety of weeds species that is thriving, it seems healthy for natives. I'm planning to do drip irrigation. Ensuring all hard landscaping element (walls, footings) have conduit prepared for drip pipes and 12v lighting. Work officially commence today - I might start another thread to show progress. Re: Landscape Contractors - Things to look out for? 9Aug 20, 2012 11:22 pm The plants on that list are commonly sold Australia wide for all soils. Re: Landscape Contractors - Things to look out for? 10Aug 20, 2012 11:53 pm oh, South coastal, SW and Great Southern Depends what you're current inclusions are, but we're not including wardrobes and will just use second hand ones until we can save later on to get them built. Also have a… 3 11631 Landscape Design Parramatta We have been doing a large amount of landscape design work in Sydney… 0 3 Need advice on the backyard plan above. Should I excavate and cut all of the dirt to level with the house slab or semi-excavate as per photo above? Both left and right… 0 24862 |