Landscaping After New Home Construction

When you are building a new home it is important to think about how you are going to landscape. Many people leave the landscape design until the end of the build, focusing solely on the house construction. While it is exciting to be building a new home, a well landscaped exterior will elevate the visual appeal of the home and add a stunning backdrop to enjoy. Landscaping should be an integral part of the planning process to ensure the synthesis of the home and garden. Read on to find out how to plan for landscaping, what to consider, and helpful advice to make sure your new home build comes together perfectly.

What Is Landscaping for a New Home?

Landscaping is the process of designing and creating outdoor spaces, which includes everything from planting, laying pathways and seating areas, to large structures like gazebos, pools and water features. Landscaping can be divided into two categories – those that provide soft elements which are called softscaping, and those that add structure called hardscaping. When these elements are combined together well, they create the perfect outdoor area to complement a home. We explain hardscaping and softscaping in more detail here.

What is hardscaping?

Hardscaping is the hard, non-horticultural elements of the garden such as pathways, retaining walls, patios, pergolas, fencing/gates and driveways. Usually materials for hardscaping will be stone, wood, concrete, tiles, pavers or metal to create features within the garden. This is like the bones of the garden which will set the framework for planting and softer features. The hardscaping side of landscaping adds focal points and practicality to a landscape design.

What is softscaping?

Softscaping is when the soft elements are added to the garden. Softscaping refers to the living, horticultural elements including flowers, trees, shrubs, lawns, and ground cover. Unlike the hardscaping features that require little maintenance, the softscaping elements require constant management with things like mowing, pruning, watering and weed removal.

Steps Towards Landscaping After New Home Construction

When building a new home, landscaping should be considered during the earliest stages. To achieve the best outcome for your new home, the project should consider all elements from floor plan, materials, site orientation and appliances, to landscape design. During the stages of planning, construction and completion, follow these steps to help the landscaping element progress smoothly.

• Early planning stage: When building a new home, try and consider the landscaping design in the early planning stage. This means taking into account outdoor areas when you are designing your interior home floor plan. With enough forethought, the architect or building designer can consider landscaping requirements and incorporate them into the overall plan. This is particularly important for connecting indoor and outdoor spaces which relies on a seamless transition from inside to outside through open walls, extended roofline and material continuity. If you engage a landscape designer in the early planning stage, they can collaborate with the builder or architect to determine the best use of the space. While it is most likely the landscaping team will be building the hardscaping elements, occasionally a builder will take on the hardscaping construction, and can factor this into the plan and quote. Even if you are not utilising the services of a landscape architect or designer, it is important to think about the type of garden elements you would like to do yourself when planning your new home project.
• During construction: While the home is being constructed, finalise the landscaping plans with the landscape designer and builder. This way, the builder can coordinate any site preparations needed, such as drainage, grading, or extra soil required for elevated gardens. Usually, landscaping is not recommended during the construction phase. However, if there is excellent onsite communication and collaboration between the builder and landscaper, in rare cases landscape works can coincide with the home build. If you are doing the landscaping yourself, it cannot be done until the home build is completed.
• After construction: Once the home has been built, the landscape design plans are finalised and some of the hardscaping work has been completed or, at the very least, prepared for, it is time to start work on the landscaping.

Tips for Landscaping After A New Home Construction

Your new home is built and now you have the exciting opportunity to create an incredible outdoor space. For those who have already organised a landscape architect and design, the plans and plants should be ready to go. For those that are only turning their attention to landscaping now the keys have been handed over, here are some tips to help you make the best choices for your landscaping project.

• Consider what type of garden and features you want/need: Think about what type of garden and design you would like and the type of features that you want or need. Look at the size of the block and how the home is situated on the land to see what might fit into your plan. You might want a space for a play area, a swimming pool, or lots of lawn if you have children. Older people may require low maintenance gardens with seating areas. Those who love to entertain may want an outdoor kitchen and fire pit.
• Assess the site: If you are doing the outside area yourself, assess the site including the type of soil and the slope of your block for landscaping. The type of soil you have and slope of the block will contribute to the type of plants that will thrive in your garden.
• Consider budget: Look at your budget and realistically assess what portion can be assigned to landscaping. For those who need to keep costs down, that may mean doing the garden yourself and just doing the essentials initially. Rather than investing in costly plants, you may want to just put down lawn until in a financial position to create a garden.
• Consider upkeep/ high or low maintenance garden: When working out the type of plants and style of garden, think about the time and ability upkeep might take. If you are wanting a garden that just looks after itself, look into planting low maintenance plants and trees that require little watering or care. You will not want a garden where you have to mow, trim, edge or water. Gravel or stone paths replace grassy walkways and trees should be surrounded by plants instead of lawn.
• Think about indoor outdoor living: Indoor outdoor living could be a large deck or balcony flowing from inside to a pergola, outdoor dining and kitchen or even gazebo area. If you want to expand your living space, a great way to do it is to consider indoor outdoor living areas. With a bit of forethought and planning, you can integrate the indoors and outdoors for even more room to live and entertain.
• Understand local council guidelines: Before designing or building and planting a garden, check with the local council on any restrictions or guidelines. Seek advice from your local council, builder or landscape designer to find out if you require any permits for your landscaping project. The two types of permits you might require are a town planning permit and building permit.
  • A town planning permit: This is written approval from the town planning department of the local council to say you can use your land in a certain way. A town planning permit refers to the aesthetics of the property and whether it impacts neighbours. For example, if you want to raise the height of a fence or place large trees in front of a view. Town planning permits are less likely to be needed on the majority of residential properties.
  • A building permit: Building permits are often required when building structures outside. This could be anything from a deck or pergola to a retaining wall. Building permits prove that your project complies with the right codes and will be built correctly.
• DIY or hire a landscaper or landscape designer: Once you have made a plan of the features you want, work out if you can do it yourself or need to hire a landscaping team. If you want to combine a bit of diy with the services of a professional landscaper, you could utilise the team to build the hardscape elements while you finish off the softscaping. At the very least, try to consult with a landscaper for guidance on plant, structure choices, permits and restrictions.

Landscaping a new home is an exciting time that should not be left until the last minute. To ensure your home and garden are in perfect harmony, plan the landscaping ahead. In this article we have explained how to landscape after a new home construction, whether doing it yourself or hiring a professional. The friendly team at Forme Homes can work with you to create the ultimate customised home and garden so give them a call to discuss how today.