Hi,
Just would like to start off by saying I can't be more green at landscaping so it is likely that I will be asking some stupid questions.
The current problem is I have soil, shrubbs and garden bed against both the front and back external wall of the house. When I purchased the property, the building & pest inspector identified an issue in the front where the soil on the outside is higher than the habitable internal floor so excavating is recommended in the front, it is also recommended to install a concrete footpath that divers stormwater away from the building.
My current plan is to pull out all shrubbs (as it is a termite hazard), excavate the front so outside soil is not higher than inside floor and lay some kind of artificial 1m wide walk path against the front and back of the house. My questions are:
1. What sort of material should I consider for the walk path? I have been recommended concrete but think it doesn't go with the look of the house and it may crack over time (I think there is some movement in the soil). Instead, I am considering stone gravel or mulch but leaning toward gravel. A pest control guy also recommended gravel as it tend to reduce chance of termite attack. What would you use if you were me? Price is another consideration, the concrete quote came to be around $ 3K including shrubb removal, not sure if gravel laying will be cheaper or more expensive than concrete work.
2. Should I hire a structure engineer for consultation before pulling out the shrubbs? I am concerned given how close it is to the house (almost next to the external wall), disturbing it will cause movement in soil. The external wall is already showing a few hairline cracks here and there (the building is about 50 years old), the building and pest guy stated it is not a big concern but I don't want to make the issue worse. They are not massive shrubbs, the biggest one is upto 3m tall, rest are less than 2m tall. Have anyone pulled out shrubbs that close to the house and what are your experiences in terms of affecting foundation of the house?
3. Can anyone recommend a good landscaper in Brisbane area?
Thanks in advance.
Ed