Maximising value from your landscape investment

Transcription

1 Maximising value from your landscape investment The Other Side Landscapes Pty Ltd Guide to engaging and undertaking works with a Landscape Contractor

2 Foreword For most people their home is their largest financial investment. An investment which also supports the heart and soul of your family A well designed and integrated landscape can impact favourably on your health and wellbeing, plus providing impressive returns at resale time. Consider your home like a prestige car. Would you park your car on the street or surround it with a secure garage? Would you wash it often and keep it maintained or let it weather away?

3 Contents Budgeting Landscape Designer Choosing the right Contractor Licences Contracts Research Home Warranty Insurance Return on Investment Insurances Work Health Safety Industry Associations Council Approvals Completion Dates Hardscape, Softscape & Systems Garden Maintenance

4 What should I budget for landscaping? You should spend between 10 and 20% of your properties value. This may vary depending on any existing features, your land size and location This should allow for the inclusion of structural elements such as pools, retaining walls, decks or pergolas and upgrades such as feature elements, garden lighting and irrigation systems.

5 Should I use a Landscape Designer? Yes. A landscape designer will provide a landscape plan that you can use to compare contractor quotes They will also assist and advise on construction materials, plants and council approvals The plan will form part of your contract. A designer should generally be independent, act in your best interests and design a landscape tailored for you.

6 How can I choose the right contractor? Referral from friends or past clients Ask to visit completed jobs Client testimonials Memberships of professional associations Have they won Industry Awards? Do they have they have the correct Licences? Do they have the correct insurances?

7 Should my landscaper be licenced? Yes. In NSW a contractor must have a licence to contract, subcontract or advertise to do residential structural landscape works where the total cost of labour and materials is more than $1,000 By law a contractor s licence number must be shown on all advertising, stationery and signage See the NSW DOFT

8 Do I need a written contract? Yes. For residential structural landscape works valued at greater than $1000 you will require a brief written small jobs contract. For residential structural landscape works valued at greater than $5000 you will require a more comprehensive written contract See the NSW DOFT

9 How can I research my contractor? Testimonials from past clients are also useful in gaining an understanding of your contractor s abilities Ask for their portfolio of completed projects, it will demonstrate the level of quality you could expect from the contractor Beware magazine images are not always true in what they show and can be graphic representations, not actual built work Visiting completed landscapes is the best way!

10 Do I need Home Warranty Insurance? Home warranty insurance is required to be obtained where the contract price is over $20,000 Home warranty insurance can only be obtained by eligible landscape contractors and it must be provided prior to the commencement of works See NSW DOFT

11 How do I get the greatest return on my landscape investment? Return on investment (ROI) ROI depends on the resale value of your property increasing more than the contract value of the landscape works A good contractor will assist you with this from their experience ROI is not only measured in resale profits but there is also value in reduced stress during and after construction from good contractors who take the time to make the process enjoyable

12 Should I check my contractors insurances? Yes. Your contractor should be able to quickly supply you with insurance certificates of currency for Workers Compensation, Public Liability, Home Warranty (eligibility) and Professional Indemnity insurance (if they provide design advice) If a contractor cuts corners here imagine what might do to your landscape.

13 Should I check if my contractor is WHS compliant? Yes. All employers in NSW are required by law to have a workers compensation insurance policy The policy must cover all workers, at all times Some people are deemed to be workers for workers compensation purposes such as some contractors and they must also be covered by a workers compensation policy

14 Should my contractor be a member of a industry association? Yes. Industry associations generally have membership criteria which require the compliance with a Code of Ethics and Ongoing Professional Development program As a result members are reliable and able to deliver best practice solutions Membership also demonstrates a commitment to the industries development and a willingness to constantly improve themselves The net result of using industry associated contractors is better service and higher quality

15 Will I need council approval? Council development regulations vary from council to council, so there is no easy answer. An expert should advise you A lot of structural landscape elements are included under the NSW Government exempt an complying development planning policies Remember if you do works without council approval it may affect the resale value of your property and there may also be fines involved

16 Should my contractor provide a completion date? An experienced contractor should be able to provide you with a reasonably accurate completion date As with many things, there are external factors which will affect the completion of the works Things like changes to the design, rain, unforeseen site conditions, delays in obtaining materials and subcontractors availability may impact on completion of works

17 Softscapes, Hardscapes and Systems? The down fall of many projects is the focus on hardscapes (Walls, Paving and Concrete) giving only a glance at the softscapes (Planting, Turf & Gardens) Impressive landscapes balance both hard and soft elements creating landscaped garden areas that are enjoyable to spend time within Irrigation, drainage and lighting systems assist the performance of both hard and soft elements

18 Can my contractor provide programmed garden maintenance? The greatest downfall to a successful completed project is the failure to maintain the landscape properly. Installation of the garden is only the start. Care and knowledge is required to nurture and develop your landscape investment Remember if you keep on top of maintenance by having a small amount each week it will save you money in the long run