Hiring a landscape designer is a significant decision. The right professional will create an outdoor space that brings joy for decades; the wrong choice can mean wasted money, frustration, and results that disappoint.
Before committing to any designer, ask these ten essential questions to ensure you’re making the right choice for your Melbourne landscape design project.
1. Can You Show Me Similar Projects?
The most important indicator of future success is past performance. We recommend asking to see completed projects that match yours in scale, terrain, and regulatory complexity.
In Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs, specific experience with “Significant Landscape Overlays” (SLO) or Heritage Overlays is critical. A portfolio full of flat block designs in new estates won’t help if your property is on a steep slope in Ivanhoe or Kew.
Look beyond portfolio photos - ask for addresses you can drive by, or better yet, clients you can contact.
Red flag: A designer who can’t show relevant work or is reluctant to provide references.
2. What Is Your Design Process?
Professional designers follow a structured process. Understanding this helps you know what to expect and assess the designer’s professionalism.
A typical process includes:
- Feature Survey: For sloping blocks, this laser-accurate site measurement (often using LIDAR) is the non-negotiable first step.
- Concept Development: Initial 2D layouts and mood boards.
- 3D Visualization: Tools like SketchUp or Lumion help you visualize changes in site levels.
- Town Planning: Navigating council requirements.
- Documentation: Detailed construction drawings for builders.
Ask about timelines for each stage and what’s expected from you.
Red flag: A designer who wants to jump straight to planting plans without understanding your needs or analysing the site.
3. How Do You Charge?
Get clear about fees upfront to avoid surprises later. We find that for 2025, reputable landscape design fees in Melbourne typically fall into specific bands depending on complexity.
Typical 2025 Fee Structures:
| Service Type | Estimated Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Consultation | $250 - $500 | Expert advice and site feasibility. |
| Concept Design (Standard) | $3,000 - $7,000 | Flat or easy-access suburban blocks. |
| Concept Design (Complex) | $7,000 - $12,000+ | Steep terrain, acreage, or heavy council overlays. |
| Project Management | 5% - 15% of Build | Full oversight of the construction phase. |
Understand whether fees are fixed, hourly, or percentage-based, and get everything in writing.
Red flag: Vague pricing, reluctance to provide written quotes, or pressure to commit before seeing a clear proposal.
4. What Happens If I Want Changes?
Design is iterative - you’ll likely want adjustments along the way. We structure our agreements to allow for specific revision rounds during the concept phase.
Ask:
- How many revision rounds are included?
- What constitutes a revision vs. a new direction?
- What do additional changes cost?
- At what point are changes no longer possible?
Scope creep is a real risk if these boundaries aren’t set early. A clear revision policy protects your budget and ensures the project keeps moving forward.
Red flag: A designer who’s unwilling to make any changes, or one who doesn’t set any limits (they’ll make it up with hidden costs elsewhere).
5. Will You Manage Construction?
Design and construction are different services. Some designers offer project management; others hand off designs and walk away.
Ask:
- Do you offer construction management?
- If so, what does that include and cost?
- If not, will you recommend contractors?
- Will you be available during construction for questions?
For significant projects, construction management often pays for itself in better outcomes and fewer problems.
Important Regulation Update: As of April 2025, the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) is transitioning to the Victorian Building & Plumbing Commission (VBPC). Any structural landscaping work over $10,000 (like decks or pergolas) requires a Registered Building Practitioner. Ensure your designer or their recommended builder holds this specific registration.
Red flag: A designer who won’t engage with the construction process at all, or who insists you use their in-house construction team with no alternatives.
6. How Do You Handle Site Challenges?
Melbourne properties often present challenges: steep blocks, poor drainage, clay soil, overlooking neighbours. We frequently encounter Silurian clay across the north-eastern suburbs, which suffers from poor drainage and requires careful management.
Ask about specific challenges on your site:
- How would you handle the slope?
- What do you recommend for the drainage issue?
- How can we improve privacy from that window?
Retaining Wall Regulations: Any retaining wall over 1 meter in height (or one supporting a structure/neighboring property) requires a building permit in Victoria. Your designer must know these triggers to avoid illegal works.
Red flag: Generic answers that don’t address your specific situation, or unrealistic promises that ignore genuine difficulties.
7. What’s Your Approach to Plant Selection?
Plants are the living heart of any garden. A designer’s plant knowledge significantly impacts long-term success.
Ask:
- How do you select plants for Melbourne conditions?
- Do you favour natives, exotics, or a mix?
- How do you ensure year-round interest?
- Where do you source plants?
For steep banks, we often specify deep-rooted stabilizers like Lomandra longifolia ‘Tanika’ or Grevillea ‘Bronze Rambler’. These choices bind the soil effectively while requiring minimal maintenance once established.
Red flag: Limited plant knowledge, reliance on a small palette of “go-to” plants, or recommendations obviously unsuited to Melbourne’s climate.
8. Can I Speak With Past Clients?
References provide insight that portfolios can’t. Past clients can tell you about:
- Communication and responsiveness
- How problems were handled
- Whether the project stayed on budget
- The designer’s working style
- Long-term satisfaction
Ask for 2-3 references and actually contact them.
Red flag: Refusal to provide references, or references that can’t be verified.
9. What’s Your Timeline?
Understanding timeline expectations prevents frustration. We advise clients that council planning permits in municipalities like Boroondara or Banyule can currently take 3 to 6 months to process.
Ask:
- How far out are you booking consultations?
- What’s your typical design timeframe?
- What factors might affect the timeline?
- When would my project be ready for construction?
Be realistic about timing - good designers are often booked well in advance, especially for spring construction.
Red flag: Immediate availability when other designers are booked months out, or unrealistic promises about speed.
10. What Makes You Different?
This open-ended question often reveals the most about a designer’s values and approach.
Listen for:
- Genuine passion for their work
- Clear design philosophy
- Understanding of what makes their approach special
- Honesty about limitations
Red flag: Generic marketing speak, inability to articulate what they do differently, or claims to be the best at everything.
Bonus: Trust Your Instincts
Beyond these questions, pay attention to how you feel during the meeting.
Good signs:
- You feel heard and understood
- Questions are welcomed
- Communication is clear
- You’re excited about the possibilities
Warning signs:
- You feel rushed or pressured
- Questions are deflected
- Communication is confusing
- Something just feels off
The designer you choose will be your partner for months. Choose someone you genuinely want to work with.
Ready to Ask the Right Questions?
We welcome these questions - and any others you might have. Contact us to schedule a consultation and discover whether we’re the right fit for your Melbourne landscaping project.
