piercretegroup

Jul 103 min read

LANDSCAPE & OUTDOOR PROJECT PLANNING GUIDE

Updated: Jul 18

IDENTIFY LIFESTYLE OBJECTIVES FOR YOUR SPACE

As part of your landscape & outdoor project planning, it’s important to consider your lifestyle objective for this space.

- LOW MAINTENANCE

- GARDEN SPACE – FLORAL/VEGGIE/HERB

- ENTERTAINING SPACE (POOL, BBQ SPACE, CHILDREN PLAY AREA, PATIO)

- ADDED INCLUSIONS (WATER FEATURE, FIRE-PLACE, FIRE-PIT, WINE CELLAR)

- OUTDOOR BATHROOM/ WASH FACILITIES

HELPFUL HINT: FIND DESIGN INSPIRATIONS & IDEAS USING PINTEREST AND MAGAZINES

FLOOR PLAN

FIRST, measure the space you have to work with. Next, allocate the size and location of each designated space you have planned for your yard.

OTHER ELEMENTS TO FACTOR INTO YOUR FLOOR PLAN:

SHED & CONCRETE SLAB SIZE
CLOTHESLINE
WHERE THE SUN SETS AND RISES
IS IT A HIGH WIND AREA?
DOES YOUR BACKYARD HAVE A SLOPE; IS DRAINAGE & RETAINING WALLS ANOTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION
EXISTING TREES YOU NEED TO WORK AROUND
PRIVACY FROM NEIGHBOURS
UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
LOCATION OF GAS/ WATER LINE - IF CONSIDERING A BBQ/OUTDOOR KITCHEN, GAS OUTDOOR HEATING
PRIVACY & NOISE REDUCTION INCLUSIONS
GRANNY FLAT
PATHWAYS
PET AREA

HELPFUL HINT: Draft your design using the traditional pencil and pad, a vision board or access a landscape app

OBTAIN REQUIRED APPROVALS

Before construction commences, is your project subject to council approval?

SET YOUR BUDGET

Your budget should include ALL COSTS: site preparation, excavation, rubbish removal, plumbing and any add-ons specific to your design plan.

- DO YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR A LOAN, OR ARE YOU READY TO GO?

- LIST THE STAGES OF YOUR PROJECT

FOR EXAMPLE: RETAINING WALLS, CONCRETE SLABS/PATHWAYS, POOL

STYLE, MAINTENANCE, LONGEVITY

There are many factors to consider when planning the overall look of your landscape design.

STYLE. Including materials & texture considerations, colour, design, design period or style (federation/modern/industrial).
MAINTENANCE. Here you should consider not only the time required for the upkeep of certain materials you should also consider the ongoing expense.
LONGEVITY. Factor in the durability and weather resistance of the materials you install.

SAFETY, SECURITY & PRIVACY

SAFETY. This applies to all aspects from childproof pool fencing, to safeguarding young children from hazardous pebbles they could swallow. If installing a BBQ area, is there a safe distance from overhanging trees? If the BBQ area is undercover, do you have enough ventilation? If adding a firepit, fireplace, or woodfire pizza oven – be mindful of the pollution guidelines and regulations relating to the distance required from structures.
SECURITY & PRIVACY. There are a variety of security and privacy inclusions to consider such as gates/fences, automated smart lighting, cameras, doorbells, walls and ceilings/awnings.

HELPFUL HINT: ESTABLISH THE ACCURATE LOCATION OF YOUR PROPERTY BOUNDARY BEFORE COMMENCING YOUR PROJECT INSTALL.

HELPFUL HINT: ENSURE NOT ONLY THE CONTRACTOR, BUT YOU ARE AWARE OF COUNCIL “DISTANCE” REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION.

IT’S ALWAYS EASIER TO GET IT DONE RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!

QUOTES

When obtaining quotes, it’s important to remember, that price isn’t always indicative of “the best value!”.
The installer you contract should be able to provide you with updated copies of their licence and insurance.
You should also understand the structural warranties and the T&C of these warranties.
A start date should be agreed upon by both parties and you should establish an expected duration to complete the project.
Ensure if the project incurs delays, you aren’t hit with unexpected expenses.
When you obtain a quote, how long is it valid to secure the price before potentially signing a contract?

SAVVY SHOPPING

There are a variety of cost-saving options that don’t require you to compromise on quality or style!

AUCTIONS, RECYLED, PRE-LOVED, UPCYCLED MATERIALS, SALES, ACCESS LOYALTY POINTS AND/OR DISCOUNT OFFERS. SEARCH ONLINE FOR FREE ITEMS (GUMTREE/FACEBOOK).

BE MINDFUL OF DELIVERY COSTS

OTHER CONSIDERATION

SWMS. A SWMS must be prepared before any high-risk construction work starts, and it is an administrative control to ensure all workers are aware of the dangerous risks involved. If this applies to you, ensure a copy is provided.
WARRANTIES. Obtain copies of warranty brochures before you sign contracts and confirm how warranties are activated and supplied.
SITE CONTACT. Before the project commences, you should confirm who the site contact is “site supervisor”. This is of particular importance if you are dealing with a large project.