Landscaping Your New Home: What to Think About Before You Build
Building a brand-new home is an incredible journey. You’ve picked your dream location, worked closely with your architect or builder, and started to imagine what life will look like once you move in. But while it’s easy to get caught up in tiles, tapware, and paint colours, one of the most important elements of your new home often gets overlooked, the garden.
Your outdoor space does more than just complete the look of your home. It’s where first impressions are made, where you’ll unwind on warm evenings, and where you can add serious value to your property. Thinking about landscaping early in your build can help you tie everything together beautifully and avoid the last-minute headaches that come from leaving it too late.
Make Landscaping Part of Your Home Design
The best landscapes don’t just happen by accident; they’re planned with the house itself. When you include landscaping in the design phase, you can ensure your indoor and outdoor areas flow naturally, making the whole property feel more connected.
A landscape designer or landscape architect can collaborate with your builder or architect to plan the placement of key features like patios, pools, and pathways. They’ll also consider how light moves through your space, how you’ll access outdoor areas, and how the terrain affects drainage and planting options.
If landscaping only enters the conversation after the house is finished, you might face extra costs to fix things like poor access for machinery, misplaced pipes, or awkward levels. Early planning means everything happens in the right order, saving time, money, and frustration.
A good rule of thumb for budgeting is to allocate about 10% of your overall build cost to landscaping. For example, a $750,000 home might have a $75,000 landscaping allowance. Of course, this varies depending on how ambitious your plans are. A simple lawn and garden setup will sit on the lower end of the scale, while a full outdoor kitchen, pool, and custom hardscapes will require more.
Why It’s Smart to Engage a Landscape Designer Early
Even if your builder is handling parts of the exterior construction, involving a landscape designer early can make a world of difference. They bring a unique perspective to how the space will be used, how it connects to your lifestyle, and how to make every part of the block functional and beautiful.
For example, if you’re planning a pool, your designer can help determine the ideal placement by considering sun exposure, privacy, access for installation, and how it interacts with the home’s architecture. They’ll also think about practical details like pool fencing, shade structures, and the layout of surrounding paving.
By involving a landscape designer from the outset, you can coordinate lighting, irrigation, and power with the home’s construction, one of the key advantages of buying land before building, as it allows for more seamless planning and integration. Plus, they’ll provide detailed plans and specifications so you can clearly see what’s possible within your budget.
Identify What Matters Most to You
Every homeowner has different priorities when it comes to outdoor living. Some want a low-maintenance garden that looks great year-round. Others dream of a space for entertaining, with a big deck, built-in barbecue, and ambient lighting. Families might want an open lawn for playtime or a shaded area to keep kids safe.
Take some time to think about how you’ll actually use your outdoor areas. If your block faces a busy road, you might prioritise privacy and noise reduction with smart planting and screening. For coastal blocks, windbreaks and salt-tolerant plants will be important. And if your space is compact, you may need creative solutions, like vertical gardens or built-in seating, to make every square metre count.
Being clear on your goals helps your designer balance what’s essential now and what can be added later as your budget allows. It’s all about creating a cohesive, functional landscape that complements how you live.
Planning the Big Features
Many homeowners don’t realise how much easier it is to install key landscape features during construction rather than after the fact. Running power to an outdoor kitchen, laying plumbing for a future water feature, or installing conduit for lighting is much simpler before everything is paved and planted.
If you’re dreaming of a pool, think about its proximity to living spaces, sunlight exposure, and how it fits within your garden layout. For decks and patios, the choice of materials will influence not only the look but also the maintenance requirements and overall budget.
The same goes for paving, the size of the area, type of stone, and intricacy of the design all play a role in cost and construction time. Carports, pergolas, and lawn areas each come with their own set of practical and aesthetic considerations, so early discussions about size, placement, and materials will pay off in the long run.
Getting Started with a Landscape Designer
Once you’re ready to bring in a professional, you’ll want to have a few key details ready to share. Your house floor plan, site survey, and elevations will help the designer understand the layout and how the landscape interacts with the home. If you have 3D renders or concept drawings, those are great too.
Be upfront about your budget, your must-haves, and your lifestyle. Do you love gardening or prefer something low maintenance? Are there any plants you dislike, or allergies to consider? How much time do you plan to spend outdoors? These small details help shape a design that feels personal and practical.
If your home builder is already handling certain external works like driveways or retaining walls, make sure your landscaper knows what’s included so there’s no overlap or confusion. Clear communication between all parties is key to a seamless outcome.
The Final Word
A well-designed landscape completes your new home in a way that nothing else can. It adds value, enhances liveability, and makes the property feel truly yours. By planning early, setting a realistic budget, and working with an experienced landscape designer, you’ll end up with an outdoor space that not only looks beautiful but also functions perfectly for your lifestyle.
Don’t wait until after the build to start thinking about your garden, make it part of your vision from day one. Your future self, relaxing in a finished backyard with a drink in hand, will be glad you did.
