Here are a few tips.
Create a a dream-board of your ultimate outdoor space, full of inspiration, ideas and tips.
Here a few questions to consider.
When thinking of your outdoor space consider the design of your home.
Is the style of your home modern, a Queenslander, a country-cottage or french-inspired, to name a few. What are the colour themes you have inside your home? Are you trying to meld the indoor with the outdoor or create an outdoor space that feels completely seperate and individual. How will your landscape compliment your indoor space? Will you be styling the outdoor space with the same tones and themes?
What are the activities you would like to be doing in your outdoor space?
Do you like to entertain with family and friends? Would you like to retreat to your own outdoor space, hidden, quiet and secluded to give you an opportunity to escape the daily grind, even for a short time? Do you have younger children and would like to watch them explore outdoors in a space created just for them? Would you like to incorporate a number of ideas into one? Be outdoors enjoying your landscape knowing your kids are not far away and are safe in their own adjoining space whilst you sit and relax in an adult space?
What are the landscaping structures you would like to have in your outdoor space?
Would you like to entertain by a pool with an undercover paved area with a wet-bar and built-in BBQ? Would you like an entertaining area near your indoor space? Would you like a plunge-pool to maximise your landscaped environment and provide relief during the hot summers. Do you need retaining walls to create open areas within your outdoor landscape? Would you like terraced areas with garden beds? Is an adult retreat more your style? A shabby-chic ladies space or a man-shed or even a combination of the two - just for adults to entertain, relax or create?
Is the style of your home modern, a Queenslander, a country-cottage or french-inspired, to name a few. What are the colour themes you have inside your home? Are you trying to meld the indoor with the outdoor or create an outdoor space that feels completely seperate and individual. How will your landscape compliment your indoor space? Will you be styling the outdoor space with the same tones and themes?
What are the activities you would like to be doing in your outdoor space?
Do you like to entertain with family and friends? Would you like to retreat to your own outdoor space, hidden, quiet and secluded to give you an opportunity to escape the daily grind, even for a short time? Do you have younger children and would like to watch them explore outdoors in a space created just for them? Would you like to incorporate a number of ideas into one? Be outdoors enjoying your landscape knowing your kids are not far away and are safe in their own adjoining space whilst you sit and relax in an adult space?
What are the landscaping structures you would like to have in your outdoor space?
Would you like to entertain by a pool with an undercover paved area with a wet-bar and built-in BBQ? Would you like an entertaining area near your indoor space? Would you like a plunge-pool to maximise your landscaped environment and provide relief during the hot summers. Do you need retaining walls to create open areas within your outdoor landscape? Would you like terraced areas with garden beds? Is an adult retreat more your style? A shabby-chic ladies space or a man-shed or even a combination of the two - just for adults to entertain, relax or create?
How to choose the best contractor to carry out the landscaping works?
When choosing the best contractor there are a few key points to consider.
Is the contractor licenced and what work are they licenced to carry out?
There is a simple and easy way to find this information by checking the online services at the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) via their website.
Why engage a licenced contractor?
Engaging a licenced contractor helps to protect the consumer from potentially faulty workmanship by ensuring the contractor qualifies for a QBCC licence and is licenced to carry out the works.
Use an industry affiliated contractor.
Find a contractor through the Landscape Queensland Industry Inc Member Directory, The Master Builders Association and HIA.
There is a simple and easy way to find this information by checking the online services at the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) via their website.
Why engage a licenced contractor?
Engaging a licenced contractor helps to protect the consumer from potentially faulty workmanship by ensuring the contractor qualifies for a QBCC licence and is licenced to carry out the works.
Use an industry affiliated contractor.
Find a contractor through the Landscape Queensland Industry Inc Member Directory, The Master Builders Association and HIA.
Know your stuff.
Any structural landscaping projects over the value of $3,300 require an industry compliant contract.
Landscaping works, such as retaining walls over 1 metre high require certification, engineers drawings and a Form 15 Compliance Certificate. Check your local authorities for specific regulations in your area.
The only contractors qualified to carry out these types of retaining walls are Builders and Builders Restricted to Structural Landscaping, a Trade Qualified Contractor is not qualified to do so.
There may be some landscaping works that require Home Warranty Insurance.
Landscaping works, such as retaining walls over 1 metre high require certification, engineers drawings and a Form 15 Compliance Certificate. Check your local authorities for specific regulations in your area.
The only contractors qualified to carry out these types of retaining walls are Builders and Builders Restricted to Structural Landscaping, a Trade Qualified Contractor is not qualified to do so.
There may be some landscaping works that require Home Warranty Insurance.