Whether you are planning a new backyard, upgrading an established property or designing the outdoor areas of a commercial development, good landscape design helps turn ideas into a practical plan before construction begins. It considers how the space will be used, the conditions of the site, planting, materials and how each element will work together once the landscape is built.
So, how much does a landscape design cost in Perth? There is no single figure that applies to every project. Design costs can vary depending on the size and scope of the landscape, existing site conditions, the complexity of the design and the level of detail required in the final plans.
Founded in 2007, Waterwise Landscaping provides residential and commercial landscape design across Perth, supported by an in-house Landscape Architect and landscape construction capability. This means plans can be developed with practical construction requirements and Western Australian conditions in mind.
What Is Landscape Design?
Landscape design is the process of planning how an outdoor space will look, function and respond to the site around it. Rather than choosing plants or materials in isolation, a professional landscape designer considers how the different parts of the landscape will work together before construction begins.
Waterwise’s in-house Landscape Architect can take a project from site assessment and conceptual planning through to plant and material selection and practical, build-ready plans. The role can also involve working with homeowners, builders, architects and other project stakeholders where required.
Some of the main components of professional landscape design include:
- Site analysis: Understanding the existing conditions, structures, constraints and opportunities of the property.
- Concept plans: Establishing the overall layout and how different areas of the landscape will connect and be used.
- Plant selection: Choosing plants suited to the design, site conditions and Western Australian climate.
- Materials and layout planning: Considering hardscaping, pathways, outdoor areas and other landscape elements so they work cohesively with the planting and built environment.
For more involved projects, Waterwise Landscaping’s landscape architecture service can take these ideas further into detailed, practical plans ready to guide the construction stage.
How Much Does a Landscape Design Cost in Perth?
As a broad Australian market guide, published landscape design rates vary considerably depending on the size and complexity of the project. These figures should be treated as indicative only and are not Waterwise Landscaping’s own pricing. Professional landscape design can range from around $500–$1,500 for a smaller garden design through to $3,500–$6,500 for larger or more involved residential designs, while complex projects can reach $10,000 or more.
Perth pricing can also vary depending on whether the quote covers an initial concept only or includes more detailed design and construction documentation.
How Are Landscape Design Fees Calculated?
There is no universal pricing model. Depending on the provider and project, landscape design may be quoted as a fixed fee, an hourly consulting rate or a project-specific fee based on the required scope and documentation.
For larger or more complex projects, the fee structure may also change depending on the level of documentation, consultation and involvement required throughout the project. The method used should be confirmed before work begins. For this reason, it is worth confirming both the pricing method and exactly what the quoted design fee includes.
Waterwise does not publish one standard landscape design price for every project. Residential and commercial projects can vary considerably in scope, so the design requirements need to be understood before an accurate quote can be prepared.
It is also important to distinguish the cost of landscape design from the overall cost of constructing the landscape, which may also involve earthworks, irrigation, planting, hardscaping and other works.
What Influences the Cost of Landscape Design?
Two landscape projects of a similar size can require very different levels of design work. The final cost is influenced by what needs to be planned, the conditions of the site and how much detail is required before construction can begin.
Site Conditions and Complexity
A relatively open, level site may be simpler to plan than a property with slopes, existing structures, drainage considerations or infrastructure that the design needs to work around. Waterwise takes a site-responsive approach, considering existing structures, site conditions and other constraints before the design is developed.
Project Scope
The more elements that need to work together, the greater the design scope can become. A smaller residential project may focus largely on planting and layout, while a larger landscape could involve irrigation, hardscaping, outdoor areas and other construction considerations.
Commercial projects can add another layer of complexity because designers may need to consider how occupants and visitors move through the site, how the landscape integrates with buildings and how the finished space will perform over time. Waterwise Landscaping’s commercial landscape design process covers consultation and site assessment through to concept design, refinement and the transition into construction.
Council and Project Requirements
Some commercial and larger residential projects may also require landscape plans as part of council or development requirements. Waterwise can assist with landscape plans for council requirements on commercial and larger residential projects, although the documentation required will depend on the project and relevant local government.
Level of Design Detail
There is also a difference between developing an initial concept plan and producing more detailed, build-ready documentation. More detailed or build-ready documentation takes the agreed concept further, creating plans that can more clearly guide quoting and construction.
The Phases of Landscape Design
For commercial projects, Waterwise’s design process moves through four broad stages, from initial site assessment through to final design and construction planning. Residential projects may follow a similar progression depending on their scope.
1. Initial Consultation and Site Assessment
The process begins by discussing how the space needs to function, the client’s priorities, the overall budget and any site conditions or constraints that may influence the design.
2. Concept Design
The concept stage starts turning those requirements into a proposed layout. This is where decisions around planting, materials, movement through the space and the relationship between different landscape elements begin to take shape.
3. Feedback and Refinement
The initial concept can then be reviewed and refined before the design progresses further. This stage helps resolve important decisions before detailed documentation or construction begins.
4. Final Design and Construction Planning
For projects that require more detailed documentation, the agreed concept can be developed into practical, build-ready plans that can guide the construction stage.
Waterwise can also carry the project from design into earthworks, irrigation, planting, hardscaping and other construction stages within its broader Design & Construct service.
How Professional Landscape Design Can Help Control Costs
Paying for design adds an upfront cost, but resolving layout, materials, planting and other construction decisions early can reduce the need for avoidable changes on site. It can also give everyone involved a clearer understanding of the project scope before construction begins.
More Accurate Construction Quoting
Detailed plans give contractors a clearer scope for pricing, which can make quotes easier to compare and reduce the risk of important items being missed before construction.
Designing for Water Efficiency
Perth’s hot, dry summers make plant selection and irrigation planning an important part of landscape design. Waterwise considers climate-suitable planting, irrigation and the characteristics of the site when designing landscapes for Western Australia. Matching plants with appropriate irrigation requirements can help avoid unnecessary water use, while climate-suitable planting can also support lower-maintenance landscapes.
Reducing Rework
A professional design allows important decisions to be worked through before earthworks, paving, planting or irrigation begins. Identifying issues on a plan is generally much easier than changing a landscape once construction is already underway.
Because Waterwise also delivers landscape construction, practical build considerations can be addressed during the design stage.
Choosing the Right Landscape Designer in Perth
Price matters, but it is also worth comparing the designer’s relevant project experience, local knowledge and exactly what documentation is included in the quote.
Look for Relevant Residential or Commercial Experience
Residential and commercial landscapes can have very different requirements. A home may place greater emphasis on outdoor living, privacy and planting, while commercial projects can require consideration of pedestrian movement, accessibility, durability, safety, ongoing maintenance and how the landscape interacts with the wider development.
Waterwise’s team works with homeowners, builders, developers and other project stakeholders, giving it experience across different types and scales of landscape projects.
Choose Someone Who Understands WA Conditions
Waterwise was founded in 2007 and works across Perth and regional WA. Its approach combines landscape architecture, horticultural knowledge and construction experience, providing practical familiarity with the conditions Perth and WA landscapes need to perform in.
Consider Design and Construction Together
If the same team is responsible for design and construction, practical construction requirements can be considered earlier and the approved design can carry more directly into the build.
For homeowners planning a complete transformation, Waterwise’s residential landscape design and construction service can take a project from the initial design through to earthworks, irrigation, planting, hardscaping and final completion.
The Next Step for Your Project
Landscape design is an upfront project cost, but it also provides a clear plan for how the space should function, look and be constructed before works begin.
With an in-house Landscape Architect and horticultural and construction capability within the wider team, Waterwise can consider both the design and practical delivery of residential and commercial landscapes.
Ready to get a clearer idea of what your Perth project could cost? Contact Waterwise Landscaping to discuss your site, goals and project scope, and receive a quote based on the actual requirements of your landscape design.