|
| As a guide, Landscaping New Zealand members have demonstrated excellence in some or all of the following areas of expertise - Landscape Design - residential and/or commercial landscape design, planting design, irrigation and lighting design.
- Landscape Construction - may include paving, concrete work, stonework, brick work, retaining walls, rock work, carpentry, decks, pergolas, fences, screens, trellis, planters, pools, ponds, water features, irrigation, lighting.
- Horticulture and Planting - may include lawns, gardens, plant selection, planting - indoor and/or outdoor, pruning, tree work.
- Landscape Maintenance - residential and/or commercial lawn and garden property maintenance.
- Contract Management or management of the project, from the design process through to completion
| |  |
|
| Make a list of what you like and don’t like in your garden and decide what you want your garden to do for you. Remember you will have to work with pre-existing elements such as the prevailing wind, the sun and shade. Once you’ve decided if it will be a place in which to play or entertain, or a utilitarian space, then add to the mix your absolute dream list. Seek inspiration from websites and magazines, keep photos of gardens you like by compiling a clipping file. | | |
 |
|
Start with a Landscape Plan |
 |
|  |
| A landscape plan that looks good on paper with well-proportioned spaces that relate well to each other translates to a garden that will look equally good on the ground and it shows the big picture. Enlist the services of a qualified professional landscape designer, they combine some of the skills of an landscape architect with a sound knowledge of local soils and climate, what will grow well and look good. They also have a good understanding of the council regulations for your region. Your landscape plan is also your communication document and assists the landscape contractors, who will construct your landscape plan, to price the job accurately and build as intended with as little confusion as possible. | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Helpful Tips in Commissioning a Landscape Designer |
|
| |
| Make some notes about your preferences for your garden- do you love a garden full of flowers, natives, a sub tropical look, this will help the landscape designer capture your dream for your garden. Discuss your wish list and your clippings file with the landscape designer. Check that the landscape designer can work in a style that suits you, ask to see some of their work and, if a home owner consents, view the completed design. Some landscape designers have a signature style, others take pride in their versatility and will adapt your tastes and lifestyle into the overall design. | | |
|
| A landscape designer’s quote should detail precisely what you will get for your money. Often a landscape designer will quote a fixed price to the concept plan stage and may include a planting plan in the price, others quote the planting plan separately. Extra work such as construction drawings, preparing consents and project supervision is often charged at an hourly rate. | | |
|
|
| You’ve got your landscape plans and are ready to go. Once you have selected your landscape contractor you should both sign a written contract that details the work to be done, the agreed price, when payments are due, how variations will be handled. This document protects both you and the landscape contractor. The landscape contractor should also provide evidence of their insurance and have a Health & Safety Policy document. Agree at the beginning about how you will maintain access to the site, where to store materials, how rubbish will be disposed of, how precious trees and other plants will be protected and so on. The landscape contractor is responsible for any subcontractor brought in. During landscape construction there are decisions to be made almost daily around fine details or bigger unforeseen problems. You can supervise the project yourself if you have the time and feel able to, or you can hire the landscape designer or an independent project manager to manage this on your behalf. Consult the landscape designer before making a major decision if circumstances require a variation from the original landscape design as they may identify further problems down the track, whereas you and the landscape contractor may not be looking that far ahead as you grapple with the immediate issue. Finally you have your dream garden tailored especially for you and your family’s lifestyle. Sit back and enjoy it! | | |
| |
Landscaping New Zealand is the brand name for the Landscape Industries Association of New Zealand Inc
(formerly known as LIANZ) whose members are professionals, qualified and experienced
in a range of trades and specialties.
Landscape Industries Association of NZ (inc) - Landscaping New Zealand
PO Box 5523, Auckland 1141, New Zealand
Toll-free Phone: 0508 444 345 - Phone: 64 9 444 4345
Fax: 64 9 444 4348 - Email: admin@lianz.org.nz
www.lianz.org.nz | |
|
|