The design phase is all about you. Your ideas, desires and how you wish to use the garden and share it with those closest to you.
Our design team will help you articulate your thoughts and offer you further ideas to take advantage of the opportunities your garden presents.
It is an exciting phase, full of creativity, where ideas evolve from possibility through planning to reality.
You may know what you want but not how to put it all together.
This consultation allows you the opportunity to express your thoughts, have them discussed for feasibility and gain an understanding of what other possibilities could be considered.
Talking with us clarifies the scope of your project so you can make more informed decisions.
Your Concept Design lays out the garden with all the elements on your wish list.
The purpose is to allow you to see what the garden will look like. Details such as materials and plants aren't yet included in this stage as it is about conceptualizing the form and possibilities.
A cost estimate will be created at this point.
Your Master Plan details exact materials, plants, and finishes. Understanding textures, colours, and alike, allows you to better visualise your garden.
When building a new home or adding a pool, it's important this master plan takes into consideration these elements to have everything in harmony.
With a fully detail plan, costing can accurately be created for the landscaping.
Depending upon the complexity of your project, documentation needs to be formulated.
This may include our team arranging engineering. Perhaps permits are required. You may need an arborist report or easement assessment done.
All steps required before landscaping can be done, are within this phase.
This is also where we create your working drawings for the landscape team to work from.
Below is a breakdown of our typical fees and inclusions, outlining what you can anticipate your master plan design fee to include.
Best suited for courtyards and simpler projects.
$4,400
Typical Fee
Costs vary depending on complexity and block size.
$6,500
Typical Fee
For those who require a more sophisticated design level
$7,900
Typical Fee
The simple answer is No! Your garden should reflect who you are. Your tastes, your styling and what authentically expresses your personality are what we design to.
Please read more here: How to avoid creating a cookie-cutter garden
One of our designers will either visit your home or connect with you online to discover what you wish to achieve.
Generally, a 45 -60 minute consultation allows us to discuss your desires, offer ideas, and start to formulate a direction for your design.
If you feel we are the right foot for you, we will email you a design proposal shortly after the meeting for your master plan.
Our projects are based in the Melbourne Metro and Mornington Peninsula areas. We can offer a design service outside of these areas but do not landscape that far, although we can help you source a suitable landscaper should you need one.
If your design is detailed sufficiently, we can provide a landscape quotation to you. Just email us the design and we can start with an initial estimate to determine the budget sits where you would like it.
So long as architect drawings are complete and the permits issued to build a new home, even if the existing home hasn't been knocked down, we should start a design.
Please read more here: Knockdown/Rebuild Homes in Melbourne: A guide to Landscaping success
A Concept Design is about helping you visualise the layout of all the elements and how it will all look.
A Master Plan is about taking the concept and detailing all plants, materials, and finishes.
For a fuller understanding, please read the following two articles which help unravel some of the confusion our industry creates.
Yes, we design and build.
Yes, our design team will create all plans necessary for our landscape team to use to build your garden.
To learn more about working drawings, please read the following article: Do I really need working drawings for my landscaping
We liaise with all trades onsite. The design team start the conversations with people like an outdoor kitchen installer or pool fence installer, then the landscape crew liaise with them during the build.
Please read the following for more information: Who's responsible for managing contractors in a landscaping project
Our approach is to dream first and include all you desire in your Concept Design, then using this design, do a high-level costing. If the budget is too high, a discussion is had on how to modify the design to bring it back in budget. If you'd like to have an idea of what your project may cost before engaging us for a design, we recommend you download our Cost Guide and this will help you set a realistic ballpark.
"So much interest and detail was put into the visual aspect of both front and back gardens. I love my decking, plants used and my outdoor BBQ area. What a difference it makes to use a landscape architect who is sensitive to your needs, with the end result being a garden that is so pleasing to the eye. Whyte Gardens thorough and professional approach was constant throughout the whole design and implementation process."
Rosa Lanteri
"The task was challenging with tight local regulations and a difficult block with which to work. We were delighted with their initial design and their professionalism in the build phase. They transformed the block into a landscape of which we are very proud. The design is sensitive to both the local community and to our home."
Mark & Julie Umstad"
They did an exceptional job of my courtyard, the team were friendly and helpful and I am very happy with the end result. I highly recommend Whyte Gardens.”
Alexandra Smith
Sharne Young
by Managing the Entire Design & Construction Process, So you can finally relax & bask in the beauty of your beautiful outdoor space.