What Happens During The Landscaping Process?
Once you have found the right landscaping professional, it’s time for the process to begin.
Landscaping isn’t just planting a few trees. It’s a structured process that requires planning, precision and a team of skilled professionals. If you’re planning a landscaping project, but you’re not quite sure what to expect, read below as we discuss the landscaping process, what is involved, and what to expect when you hire a landscaper.
What Is Landscaping?
Landscaping is the process of changing an area of land to make it more functional, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing. It extends far beyond simple gardening, completely transforming an outdoor space, including both residential and commercial property.
This transformation is achieved through both hard landscaping and soft landscaping, starting with a detailed plan and site preparation. This ensures proper levels, drainage and foundations, before moving on to create a cohesive outdoor space that complements the surrounding buildings and the needs and requirements of the space.
What Types Of Landscaping Are There?
Hard Landscaping
Hard landscaping, or hardscaping as it is often also referred to, consists of the non-living, structural and permanent elements of landscaping. These form the backbone and framework of your outdoor space. Typically constructed using durable materials such as stone, brick, concrete, timber and gravel, hard landscaping elements can create structure, define zones and add aspects of functionality to a garden.
Key examples of hard landscaping include patios, decking, driveways, paved pathways, retaining walls, fencing and drainage systems. Hard landscaping will often be one of the initial stages of any project, as it dictates the layout of the space and provides a solid foundation for soft landscaping later on.
Soft Landscaping
Soft landscaping refers to the living, organic and more dynamic elements of a landscaping project. This includes plants and all the materials required for them to thrive, such as turfing, flower beds, shrubs, hedges and trees.
This process is responsible for aesthetic appeal, colour, texture and the sensory experience of a space, rather than the permanent framework. Often, soft landscaping complements and softens the rigid elements of hard landscaping.
Due to the ‘alive’ nature of softscaping, this is a continuous process that changes with the seasons and requires ongoing care, including soil preparation, mulching, pruning, and feeding to create a thriving and beautiful environment.
The Landscaping Process
Initial Consultation
The landscaping process begins with an initial consultation, a critical phase focused on defining the project scope and understanding the customer’s vision, whilst establishing project restraints.
During this initial meeting, a landscaping or groundworks professional will conduct a preliminary site assessment and discuss key factors including the desired use of the space, aesthetic preferences, budget and timeline. You’ll also discuss specific needs, such as entertaining areas and accessibility requirements, so this phase is the time to confirm your expectations.
Designing and Planning
Following the consultation, the next stage is designing and planning. This is where the initial vision and all the discussion during the consultation are translated into a clear technical plan. A professional will be able to create a plan that specifies layout, dimensions, materials and placement of all features.
A site survey will also be carried out to accurately map existing levels and features, an essential step for calculating earthworks, ensuring proper drainage and purchasing the right amount of materials.
At the end of this stage, the final design will be reviewed before any physical work can begin.
Site Preparation
The site preparation stage marks the start of physical work, transforming the existing site into a blank canvas for the landscaping work. This process begins with site clearance, which involves removing any unwanted elements such as old sheds, paving, debris and existing vegetation.
This is followed by an initial excavation and stripping where the topsoil is removed and stored, and the ground is excavated as required for foundations, driveways, and subterranean features.
Once this is complete, the ground is levelled and graded, a fundamental groundworks task that ensures the correct falls and slopes for effective surface water runoff and drainage. This stage is key.
Utilities, Drainage and Hard Landscaping
Unseen, but vital, utilities and drainage are the next stage of the landscaping process, as well as hard landscaping. Utilities and drainage act as the backbone of all developed areas. They ensure the longevity of built structures and the overall functionality and safety of an outdoor space. Effective drainage is a foundational element of a successful space; without it, water can accumulate, leading to numerous problems.
This stage of the process includes digging for pipes, cables and the construction of French drains or soakaways to manage water.
Once this is done, hard landscaping begins. This involves creating all of the non-living features of the space, starting with the installation of a compacted sub-base, such as MOT Type 1 aggregate for strength and stability. Following this, retaining walls are built, and surfaces such as patios, pathways and decking are laid.
Soft Landscaping and Finishing Touches
Once the structural phase of the project is complete, the soft landscaping and finishing touches bring the space to life.
This involves laying new topsoil, planting trees, shrubs, flowers and laying turf.
Then the aesthetic details are completed, such as lighting, mulching to suppress weeds, and laying decorative aggregates.
This is the stage that will change your construction site into a fully cohesive garden space.
Completion
Then, the newly landscaped space is handed over to the property owner, ready for them to enjoy!
The Benefits Of Choosing A Landscaping Professional
Knowledge and Expertise
Landscaping extends far beyond typical DIY knowledge. You can visualise the finished garden or space, but knowing exactly how to execute the work is often another story. Having a professional on your landscaping project and utilising their skillset, knowledge and expertise is often beneficial.
Saving Time
A professional will take accurate measurements of your space to calculate the materials needed, therefore cutting the risk of wastage. They’ll also be able to do the work a lot quicker compared to a DIYer.
Efficiency and Project Management
Reputable groundworks specialists can bring efficiency to what could be a lengthy and complex process. With the necessary machinery, specialised tools and on-the-job experience, they can execute large-scale tasks such as excavation, land levelling and the construction of retaining walls quickly and accurately. A professional will also manage the whole project timeline for you, coordinating material deliveries and scheduling subcontractors where needed, whilst also navigating regulatory requirements.
The expertise in project management will help you to complete the project on time and within budget, significantly reducing stress and inconvenience for you.
Quality, Compliance and Longevity
Working with a professional also translates directly into longevity and durability, with excellent long-term value for money. Professionals will adhere to strict building standards and best practices, which can be crucial in the long run, particularly when it comes to groundworks and drainage, preventing further issues such as subsidence and standing water.
A professional will also have the right liability insurance.
Start The Landscaping Project With Wilsons Groundworks
Landscaping can be tricky to navigate on your own. That’s why you should work with a professional, like Wilsons Groundworks. We understand the importance of a properly executed landscaping project, and with many years of experience, we can help you get the job done.
We have a deep understanding of landscaping and groundworks, having worked on various projects over the years.
Whatever you have planned, get in touch for further advice and to discuss your requirements.