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Kinetic sculpture in landscape design in Glen Waverley in Houzz

Getting better landscaping quotes

July 5, 2020
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Budgeting, Construction, Landscape Design, Landscaping
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Posted by Parveen

Getting a landscaping quote

When I first commenced as a designer, it was put to me by a client that I should offer an advisory value-add service by staying on as an independent consultant.  My role is to guide them through the rest of the build process, given that I helped create the vision of their garden.  They needed help in getting and interpreting the landscaping quotes that they were receiving.

The more gardens I  have designed, the more I have realised the need for the service. There are a minefield of things that need to be navigated. For clients that don’t have experience, it is not easy to qualify the trades that need to be involved. You may be going with gut-feel and intuition, rather than technical know-how.

There are two broad ways I assist with landscaping quotes – the first is in sourcing trades. The second is to perform (paid) site visits during construction to ensure that the design intent is being implemented.

We will explore the first.

So what’s in the scope in helping you with your landscaping quote?

I decided very early in my design business that I wanted to stay independent of the landscapers.  I wanted to ensure that I knew what they were doing.  I the surety that the client received the highest quality workmanship (as far as I could objectively tell). I studied landscape construction and got involved in construction projects.  Over time and experience, I have come to know ways of judging who’s got their heart in the design and in the task at hand.

Sourcing trades generally involves emailing requests for landscaping quotes on the design.  I discuss potential landscapers with my clients.  Then I email the quote request to a select panel of qualified landscapers.  To the extent required, I also clarify specifications with suppliers

Bright flowers used around pool area in Brighton landscape design in Melbourne

and trades.  Once I am satisfied I have all of the relevant information, I then catch up with my clients (either in person or Zoom).  We go over all of the quotes to consider (yes there is more than 1!).

There are a number of advantages to this:

  • It is saving of client’s time.  If you have ever got multiple quotes, you would know that it can take a long time.  There is a lot of back and forth discussions with multiple trades;
  • Effective quote assessment. I have seen a lot of different quotes and worked across many projects.  I am able to thoroughly test the different quotes for scope and price. If the client did this themselves, it is possible that they may find it hard to compare quotes (everyone quotes differently) and to know what is missing.
  • Landscaping quotes have minimal ‘premiums’.  We all know some trades add markups because they can to cover off any contingencies.  So I try to get to the bottom of these to get as fair as quote I can for both parties (the client and the trade) by inquiring about any “abnormals”.

I’m more than open to candidates the clients put forward.  I also have a network of landscapers I have worked with in the past.  It is just a matter of me being their agent in organising and communicating with those involved.  My goal is to obtain the better landscaping quote that achieves the design intent and meet the financial goals of the client.

During this process, I investigate and present facts to my clients.  My clients then use this information to make an informed decision.  They decide with whom they want to work with to implement the design (construction) or undertake specific (artistic or styling) elements of the design.

As you can imagine, even with final plans in place, things are still fluid.  Financials, project specifications and the manner in which to achieve the end result may change as a result of the quoting process.  So the scope in this phase manages all of that.  Any parts of the design that needs modification for actual implementation (e.g. plant or material substitutions etc) will be reconsidered as far as it impacts the quoting process.

View of front garden from the driveway in Blackburn garden design

Benefits to the client from our involvement with landscaping quotes

For a minimum fee, I:

  • Use experience to only get quotes from a select few
  • Save my clients time and do all the leg work
  • Investigate discrepancies.
  • Clarify aspects of the landscaping quotes from all parties concerned and trade types
  • Go to great pains to make sure that quotes are comparable.  If that is not possible at least to identify the outliers and the reasons as to why
  • Come up with some solutions to challenges and if possible, and work with suppliers and landscapers to come up with a more cost-effective approach to achieve your dream garden!

Testimonials from past and current clients on our assistance with landscaping quotes:

“Parveen has developed a fantastic plan for our new home during the last months of the build, with lots of complex features. She’s been great with organising the quotes and trades during the project coordination part, saving us a lot of time and stress. We’d recommend her to anyone planning a garden or garden renovation, large or small.

Sarah Abrahamson”

Corten wall lightbox used in Glen Waverley garden design
Colourful perennial garden design with white arbour in Blackburn

“It has been an absolute delight to work with Parveen. Right from our initial contact she was prompt and always timely. She listened to our brief and then presented us with a wonderful garden design incorporating all our requests. Parveen assisted with the selection of the contractors to do everything from the removal of the current garden, intricate stonework to finalising the decorative pebbles and toppings plus sourcing of the plants. Parveen is extremely professional, creative and personable and I would definitely recommend her services.

Bev B”

Other resources

Hungry for more information on our processes and how we can help you?

Then check out the following write-ups which could assist!

Navigating our Initial Design Consults

Why engage a Garden designer

Choosing plants for your garden

In the meantime, visit my past projects below or contact Landscaping Victoria, Master Landscapers or the AILDM for a list of registered landscape contractors that are able to execute your design!

Vermont South B

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Vermont South A

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Hawthorn East Rear Courtyard

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Surrey Hills

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Burwood

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If you need further suggestions or design or plantscaping both indoors and outdoors, please contact us for an onsite 90 minute consultation. 

Refer to our packages for further detail on how we can help you in the consults and subsequently throughout your garden implementation process.

Our passion your garden! xx

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⁠⁠ I love black and white - its classic and cr ⁠⁠
I love black and white - its classic and creates a sense of drama.⁠⁠
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I could have easily taken this picture full of colour and the story being narrated will be different.⁠⁠
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Here, by omitting the colours, you focus on shapes and textures and create an intrigue of what elements are being used in the design. ⁠⁠
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What do you see when you look at the picture? ⁠⁠
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Do tell if you recognise the plants! 💚
Artfully distressed or rusted iron and steel offer Artfully distressed or rusted iron and steel offer a rustic charm, while metals such as bronze or copper can add a glamorous touch to an outdoor area.⁠⁠
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Here is a recent picture of our Glen Waverley project completed in 2015 using custom corten steel panels which double up as a lightbox.💚
Wherever life plants you, bloom with grace.⁠⁠ Wherever life plants you, bloom with grace.⁠⁠
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A French proverb which is quite well known. ⁠⁠
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It sounds simple, but carries a lot of meaning. ⁠⁠
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No matter where you are settled, there is always that bit of fear within you of the what ifs and the unknown in the windy road that is life. ⁠⁠
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Wherever you feel called, know that there is beauty in being rooted. There is beauty in accepting where you are – even if it’s only for a season. There is even more beauty when you learn to thrive. 💚
"Art" ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ the expression or application "Art" ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.⁠⁠
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Art is of course is open to interpretation.⁠⁠
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I loved this creation so I thought I'd finally share it as it gave such joy both to my youngest and I when we spotted it on a way back from a client's.⁠⁠
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This was when lockdown was finally eased up in Melbourne in November 2020 and we could travel beyond the 5kms restriction. ⁠⁠
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Very thankful to the person or family that created this! 💚
Why not create a vege nook in an unused corner in Why not create a vege nook in an unused corner in your garden?⁠⁠
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In creates a win-win situation all round.  Bountiful healthy, organic harvest to be shared with family and friends and has made use of a neglected space!⁠⁠
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As you can see from the picture you can make use of both built in garden beds or simply use portable pots to boost your harvest! ⁠⁠
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Bundoora project completed in 2015!  Still creating bounty for my lovely clients! 💚
What are the benefits of pathway lights?⁠⁠ ⁠ What are the benefits of pathway lights?⁠⁠
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In addition to leading the way in the dark, pathway lights offer other benefits, including:⁠⁠
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💡Home security.⁠⁠
💡Protection of path border plants from being trampled on.⁠⁠
💡Marking path boundaries.⁠⁠
💡Highlighting your favourite  low garden plants.⁠⁠
💡Added curb appeal.⁠⁠
💡Ambient lighting for garden entertaining.⁠⁠
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A different view of the humble fig? ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ A different view of the humble fig? ⁠⁠
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Or as my close friends will say, my overactive imagination!!⁠⁠
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Love this shot of their fan shaped leaves as they remind me of an Indian dancer spinning around!⁠⁠
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What do you see in your garden using your imagination? 💚
Food Forest Gardens ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ "Forest gardenin Food Forest Gardens ⁠⁠
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"Forest gardening is a low-maintenance, sustainable, plant-based food production and agroforestry system based on woodland ecosystems, incorporating fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines and perennial vegetables which have yields directly useful to humans. Making use of companion planting, these can be intermixed to grow in a succession of layers to build a woodland habitat." From Wikipedia⁠⁠
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A little bit of a mouthful but essentially the idea is to provide good, healthy food from your own garden to the table for you to enjoy and by those you love!⁠⁠
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This is the idea behind this compact front yard designed for our clients in Glen Huntly constructed in December 2020!⁠⁠
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Moving on their backyard sunken garden soon! 💚
Flowers are evidence enough that the rain will end Flowers are evidence enough that the rain will end, the clouds will part, and spring will always come, no matter the difficult winter that precedes it.⁠⁠
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There is beauty when you learn to thrive. ⁠⁠
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To accept the challenges that are thrown at you and to convert them into opportunities to learn from!⁠⁠
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Look out to your garden and take the positivity within! 💚
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Getting better landscaping quotes | Inspiring Landscape Solutions