​

Is there such a thing as no site costs or free site costs?

​

As you know from recently building a home there are certain things that need to be done to your block of land in order for your builder to commence works.

Every block of land is different and therefore requires different work to prepare it for building your home. The builder would have quoted you for site works to remove trees, shrubs, excess soil etc and this cost would have been added to your building contract and therefore you would not have been required to do any of your own earthworks. These site works are not provided for free from the builder, you have been charged extra for them as an earth moving company would of been contracted to do this for a fee.

​

Your landscaping site preparation is the same in that excess soil, shrubs, and builders rubble needs to be removed and the area needs to be prepared to the correct level for landscaping - (30-50mm below kerb line) However, while every site still needs to be prepared to the correct height to complete the landscaping, unfortunately your landscaping allowance does not include a provision for site works/ earthworks. This cost is the responsibility of the owner and cannot be included in the landscaping allowance as per the developer guidelines. You will either need to complete this preparation yourself by digging out extra sand, soil, rubble and disposing of it yourself or engaging a contractor to prepare the site for you using a bobcat and disposing of the excess soil/rubble. We understand that this may be an unexpected cost that you may not have budgeted for and we feel for you but we would not ask you to work for free so please don't ask us to work for free.

​

Site Preparation

​

A builders site clean is NOT a suitable clean or levelling for landscaping. Generally the builder will not remove all weeds, rubble and rubbish and the builder will NOT leave the site 30-50mm below kerb line/driveway height/paving height/footpath height. The builder will leave the site level to the height of the driveway/paving/concreting/footpath. This is NOT the correct height for landscaping.

​

We ask that you prepare your site as follows :

​

* final level to be 30- 50mm below kerb line height/driveway height, footpath height, concrete height/decking height. Please note if final level is not low enough extra charges will apply to remove and dispose of excess soil and your job start date will be delayed. If your final level is deeper than 50mm extra charges will apply to bring in clean fill to bring levels up to correct height and your job start date will be delayed.

​

* all excess soil, builders rubble/rubbish, weeds, wild grass to be removed and disposed of. No rubbish or excess soil is to be dumped on vacant blocks or left on the property.

​

* the site is clear of any objects that may hinder us in our work - eg stacks of pavers/building supplies, vehicles on the area to be landscaped.

​

* Every single site has weeds or wild grass growing on site - please note that it is your responsibility to remove them and put measures in place to control them once your landscaping is complete. Once we apply soil conditioners, fertiliser and regular watering whatever was already in the ground under your garden will start to grow again. We are not responsible for the weeds that exist in every site, unfortunately there is no such thing as a weed free garden and therefore there will be maintenance required by you to keep your weeds at bay.

​

Please see below some examples of site preparation.

 

If you are not sure if your site is prepared to the correct level or would just like some advice please phone Mike on 0407 422 708 to discuss.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​