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“A positive client will always get a
positive result out of their landscaper.
This is a relationship which
can span a lifetime.”
Tony McLeod explains how you should be …
LANDSCAPE DESIGN TODAY
Global diversity and parallels
MELBOURNE CONVENTION CENTRE,
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA.
looking for mr right
9 –13 SEPTEMBER 2011
SPEAKERS:
ANDREA COCHRAN
CRAIG BURTON
CALIFORNIA
AUSTRALIA
‘Abstract. Balanced.
Considered.
Generous. Intuitive.
Layered. Nimble.
Particular. Rhythmic.
Spatial. Textured.
Understated’.
Leading Australian
designer and
academic with a
keen awareness
for ecological and
cultural issues.
Registrations:
Sue Forge 043 818 1578
[email protected]
Sponsorship:
Jenny Wade 0409 000 089
[email protected]
Conference Director:
Warwick Forge 03 9819 1335
[email protected]
FERGUS GARRETT
FUMIAKI TAKANO
ENGLAND
JAPAN
Outstanding
plantsman and
successor to the
great Christopher
Lloyd at Great
Dixter.
Brilliant designer
with an international
practice – gave an
exceptional presentation at our 2002
conference featuring
the remarkable
Showa Kinen Park
(children’s garden),
Tokyo.
CRISTINA LE
MEHAUTÉ
AUSTRALIA
A brilliant artistdesigner wIth
gardens rich in art,
whimsy and nature
references.
Gifted plantsman
who loves plants
with a ‘zest for life’
and ‘wild, whacky
gardens with a
sense of humour...’
ARGENTINA
STEPHEN RYAN
TIM RICHARDSON
ENGLAND
Leading commentator and author of
many books on
landscape and
garden design
including Avant
Gardens.
Any construction process around your home can be a long and drawn out
exercise. But, most importantly it can also be a lot of fun. So you need to
start with this mentality and hopefully you should be able to maintain it
right through your project. It’s important to remain positive and focused
with whoever you are working with. A positive client will always get a
positive result out of their landscaper. This is a relationship which can
span a lifetime and this initial project can simply turn into another.
Talk to friends and neighbours about people they have used. Did their
landscaper provide them with a contract and specification for their project
so they knew exactly what they were getting for their money? Was the
contract explained to them and were they shown where variations could
change the cost of the project? Did their landscaper give them regular updates on their project by email or phone to keep them up to date with the
project? You need to decide the level of communication you require. We
are all different, but it’s great to keep informed on a project because it keeps
all parties empowered and in control.
Drive around the suburbs and look at different gardens you like, knock on
doors or leave notes in people’s letter boxes and tell them how much you
love their property, ask who was used to design and construct their project.
You would find most people are pleased that their garden has been
admired and are often forthcoming with good information. Look through
the glossy magazines as they have some great ideas and often list different
landscapers/designers who could also suit you. Do your homework and
research people that you would like to work with. Budgets are important
but our best clients are the ones that work with us once a level of trust
is established.
Once you have 2 or 3 landscapers/designers to contact, give them a call
and sound them out over the phone. It’s at this stage that you are getting
down to the nitty gritty and looking for someone to create your landscape.
Do they sound enthusiastic? Do they sound experienced? Do they have
other projects you could view? Do they have other clients you could speak
to? How busy are they and when could they start your project? Do they
work in your area and when can you arrange a meeting?
Once you have met it is important to ask. Does their personality suit my
style? Are they too professional? Not professional enough? Too pushy?
Good listeners? Well dressed or underdressed? Were they on time or
did they ring to say they were running late? You are about to enter into a
contract with these people so the relationship could span weeks, perhaps
months, you need to be happy with your choice.
One of the first things I say to clients is you need to provide your landscaper/
designer with a budget. This is a realistic sum of money you would like to
spend on your landscape. It is one thing to say, I want a gazebo , driveway,
footpaths, garden beds, swimming pool, established trees, but I only want
to spend this much. So sometimes our dreams can be shattered by not
giving enough thought to a budget. One of your first questions to the
landscaper should be, how much do you think I would need to spend on
this property? Your landscaper should be able to provide examples of
their work and give you an idea of the cost of the project. An experienced
landscaper would be able to let you know from their experience, you
could spend this much but could also upgrade the products and spend this
much. You are potentially going to add value to your property, so you need
to ask yourself, what am I looking to achieve? Is this something long term,
where perhaps I need to overcapitalise (to some degree) to get exactly what
I want? Or is this something that is short term and I’m looking for something that will look good for today? A bank valuation of your property is
one way you can test the value against others in your area so you are able
to make a more educated financial decision.
Once you’ve done all of the above it’s time to let the project begin. Keep
asking questions and don’t be afraid to ask why or why not. Keep the lines
of communication open. If you are not sure of something, flag it as soon
as possible, as even the most professional people still miss things. Pay your
bills on time as long as you feel the works have been completed. And most
importantly enjoy the process.
tony mcleod
Director, Domain Pools & Landscapes
11