Botanical Traditions - Our Landscape Design Services…

We offer design and consulting services for residential projects, water retailers, government departments, commercial projects and community organisations throughout Victoria and Southern NSW. We also prepare council planting plans and greywater permits in Victoria.

Landcape Design

The design process is ultimately the most important step in obtaining a resolved and successful garden. Our design process is carried out in three main phases.

Schematic Design (Generally takes 1 week)

The schematic design and concept design stages are the first steps in the design process. The schematic design phase is typically undertaken for very small projects or by organisations such as schools seeking a quick plan to use when applying for funding. Schematic plans are usually hand drawn, graphical and may or may not be drawn to scale . The starting cost for a schematic plan is $550 for a very basic design. Schematic plans maybe hand drawn or electronic.

Click here for an example of a schematic planting plan

Concept Design (Generally takes 2-4 weeks)

The concept design phase is very important. This stage usually includes a meeting with the client, confirmation of project breif, On larger jobs it may also include telephone calls and liason with other project partners such as local council.

It involves making sure that the designer is familiar with the site and also helps to develop a project brief. If the schematic design was not undertaken this stage includes a meeting with the client, confirmation of project breif and the production of hand drawn sketches, electronic plans and indicative photographs. On larger jobs it may also include telephone calls and liason with other project partners such as local council. The starting cost for a concept plan is $1200 for a very basic design for a typical suburban block.

Typically the cocept plan is in an electronic format.

Click here for an example of a Concept Plan

Preliminary Design Stage (Generally takes 3 - 6 weeks)

At the end of the concept stage there is usually a meeting with the client to discuss the different concepts and decide on the direction of the project. After this meeting further design development takes place and the concept plan is refined into the into a final design solution. A Preliminary Plan will give an indication of surface treatments, planting styles/schemes and materials. If required clients can then decide to progress to the next stage.

Click here for an example of a Preliminary Plan

Contract Documentation Stage (Generally takes 4-8 weeks)

During this stage the construction details are added to the Preliminary Plan. The construction design of large structures or elements is undertaken by engineers. Specifications on mulches and other items are also added at this stage. This is usually the form of plan required for local council approval or for obtaining quotes from multiple landscape contractors. Samples of materials will also be given to the client.

The costs involved vary considerably. As a very rough guide a residential project that includes layout, irrigation, lighting and planting designs will require a budget of between $3000 - $5000 depending on the complexity of the design and the amount of drawing required. The time period for the design process starts at 9 weeks and can be up to 18 weeks from the concept stage to the end of the documentation stage.

3D Model Generation

We have the ability to take your designs and show them in 3D. This maybe very important for council permit applications, presentations for stakeholders or just so that you have a better understanding of what your landscape area will look like.

Click Here for an example of a 3D landscape model

 

Botanical Traditions - Our Other Services…

Construction

Botanical Traditions offers soft landscaping services for small gardens such as courtyards, balcony areas or roof top areas. We are able to assist you with finding contractors for other items and larger projects.

General Maintenance

Botanical Traditions has qualified staff who are able to assist you with your general maintenance to ensure the design is fully realised. We are also able to produce general maintenance booklets specific for your garden. These booklets detail the plants in your garden, what their requirements are and when maintenance tasks need to be carried out. A maintenance schedule is also a useful tool to ensure your garden is looked after if you are transferred or if another person takes charge of the establishment of the project. On larger projects you may also need to implement a number of policies to ensure the long term outcome of the landscape areas. these may include irrigation policies and plant replacement strategies.

Council Requirements

If you need a plan for council contact us. We can produce landscape plans for building approval, organise the paperwork for tree work permits and can complete application forms and associated paperwork for Greywater treatment systems (Application for Septic Systems). We are happy to asist architects and builders to satisfy the requirements for council plans. As each council is different please contact us for costs.