Frequently Asked Questions - Landscape Architecture

These four roles are often confused, but each plays a different part in bringing a garden to life.

A landscape architect holds a formal university degree and can take on projects of any size, from a private home garden to a large public or commercial development. They provide design and technical advice, guide you through environmental and engineering requirements, and prepare landscape masterplans and planting plans.

A landscape designer is typically TAFE trained and usually works on smaller residential projects, often alongside landscape contractors.

A landscape contractor builds the garden. They install the design once it has been completed and approved, and they need a scaled landscape plan and supporting documentation before they can provide an accurate quote.

A gardener looks after an established garden on a regular basis. This usually means mowing lawns, cutting back garden beds and fertilising during the year.

If you are preparing a development application (DA) in NSW, it is worth knowing that many local councils include a condition requiring a landscape plan prepared and approved by a qualified landscape architect or landscape designer.

The best time to engage a landscape architect is before you lodge a development application with your local council or another government body, as many approvals require a professional landscape plan.

You should also consider hiring a landscape architect if you have a challenging or sloping site, a drainage problem, or you would like a garden masterplan that you can build in stages over several years.

Landscape architects usually quote a fixed price to prepare a design package, and the cost depends on the size of your site, the complexity of the project and your design brief.

To provide an accurate quote for a detailed landscape design with full documentation, I will generally need a copy of your site survey and a design brief outlining your vision, needs and budget. Contact me with these details and I will happily prepare a quote for you.

No. A landscape architect designs and documents your landscape but does not usually carry out the construction. That work is done by a landscape contractor.

I can, however, manage your project and supervise the landscape contractors on your behalf if you would like that support. I can also provide a design compliance certificate and a final landscape installation certificate, which councils often require.

Your garden is designed through a structured, multi-step process. I consider your site conditions and aspect (the right plant in the right place), how you want to use each area, the look and feel you want to achieve, your budget and any existing services on the site.

As a landscape architect, I have a thorough knowledge of plant and material prices, so I can recommend the plants, paving and finishes that will deliver the best result within your budget.

I can usually begin work promptly. I manage several projects at the same time, and a landscape plan generally takes only about a week to a fortnight to design and draft once I have all the information I need.

That information typically includes your final site survey, final architectural plans and final stormwater design, along with any arborist reports and planning advice. Because the landscape architect is often one of the last consultants to finalise their part of a project, I recommend getting in touch early so we can plan around your timeline.

Yes. I like to meet every client on site so I can understand your brief, your requirements and the unique characteristics of your property.

The meeting usually takes one to two hours and is arranged at a time that suits you, and any other professionals involved in your project, such as your builder or architect.

Most landscape plans are prepared in approximately 8 to 10 days. This timeframe starts after our site consultation and once I have received the final drawings (DWG AutoCAD files) from your other consultants.

Yes, I would be happy to show you. Tell me your local area and the type of project you are planning, and I will suggest completed gardens you can visit in person. I can also send you the approved plans so you can see how a design was documented.

With 36 years of experience in the landscape industry, I have worked on a wide range of projects, so there is plenty to choose from.

Absolutely. I am happy to put you in touch with past clients who can give you a verbal or written review of my work. Just ask and I will share their details.

Yes. After many years in the industry, I know reputable landscape contractors across a number of areas and can recommend those best suited to your project.

I always suggest obtaining three quotes so you can compare them carefully, and I can help you review and compare them when the time comes to choose the right contractor.

A completely maintenance-free garden is not possible, because a garden is a living thing that needs occasional care, cleaning and pruning. You can, however, have a very low-maintenance garden.

A low-maintenance design typically includes:

Hardy, drought-tolerant plants that cope well with local conditions.

Slow-growing, hardy turf varieties.

Paving and decorative granite in the right places, balancing hard and soft surfaces.

A thick layer of mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Garden edging that makes regular maintenance quicker and easier.

Many NSW councils set minimum soft landscaping requirements for a property through their Development Control Plan (DCP). These are commonly around 30 to 40 per cent of the site, and the exact figure varies between councils and zones, so it is important to check the rules that apply to your property.

I can help you calculate your hard and soft landscaping ratios and choose the right materials so you meet council requirements while still including the paving you need or want. This includes driveways, side and front paths, swimming pools and other structures.