Landscape design commission
Engage Story Landscapes to develop and document the design. Once resolved, the agreed design package can be used to seek construction pricing from a suitably qualified contractor.
Discuss a design commissionLandscape design · Melbourne
Design the whole
landscape first.
Considered residential landscape design for Melbourne’s inner east—available as a design-only commission or as the first stage of a complete Story design-and-construction project.
Why design comes first
A clear plan before serious money is spent.
A successful landscape is resolved as one connected environment, not priced as a collection of features.
Landscape design brings together the home, site conditions, levels, drainage, access, materials, planting, irrigation, lighting and outdoor living before construction begins. It creates a practical basis for decisions, documentation and pricing.
Our landscape designers work from the site and the way you want to live. The aim is not to add more elements. It is to determine what belongs, how everything connects and what needs to sit beneath the finish for the landscape to work over time.
Two design pathways
Design only.
Or design and build.
Integrated design and construction
Continue with Story from the initial brief through design resolution, construction pricing and delivery. This keeps design intent, buildability and site execution within one coordinated team.
Explore the complete serviceWhat the design considers
The decisions that shape the whole property.
Every commission is scoped for its site and brief. Depending on the project, the landscape design may consider and document the following.
01
Site analysis and opportunities
02
Landscape layout and spatial planning
03
Levels, access and circulation
04
Material direction and selection
05
Outdoor living and entertaining areas
06
Pool and garden integration
07
Planting design and soil strategy
08
Irrigation, lighting and drainage coordination
09
Construction documentation suited to the agreed scope
10
A clear basis for construction pricing
The design process
From site and brief
to a resolved direction.
Project fit and brief
We begin with the property, how you want to use the landscape, any architectural plans and the anticipated construction budget. This establishes whether the brief, budget and site are aligned before design work begins.
Site understanding
We assess the site, existing conditions, levels, access, orientation and relationship to the home. The design starts with what the property requires—not a catalogue of disconnected features.
Concept design
We develop the overall layout, movement, outdoor living, material direction, planting character and major landscape elements as one connected response.
Design resolution
The selected direction is refined so the important dimensions, levels, materials and construction requirements are clear. The exact documentation is tailored to the project and agreed design scope.
Construction pathway
Story Landscapes can price and construct the resolved design, or provide the agreed design package for pricing and delivery by another suitably qualified landscape contractor.
Project fit
Design effort should match
construction ambition.
Anticipated landscape construction budgets from $100,000.
We’re likely to be a good fit if
- You are planning a complete residential landscape.
- You want the site and home considered together.
- You value clarity before construction pricing.
- You are prepared to invest in professional design.
We may not be the right fit if
- You need a quick sketch for a small isolated task.
- You want free design as part of a construction quote.
- Your main selection criterion is the lowest price.
- Your anticipated construction budget is below $100,000.
Common questions
Before you commission a landscape design.
Do you accept design-only projects?
Yes. We accept selected design-only commissions as well as complete design-and-construction projects. The same project-fit and anticipated construction-budget requirements apply.
What construction budget is required?
We work with residential landscapes where the anticipated construction budget starts from $100,000. That figure is the planned construction investment—not the design fee.
Can you design before our house renovation is complete?
Often, yes. Early landscape input can help coordinate levels, access, drainage, services and the relationship between the home and garden. The right timing depends on how resolved the architectural work is.
Will Story Landscapes have to build the design?
No. You may engage Story for design only. If you want one team to carry the project through, we can also provide an integrated design-and-construction pathway.
Melbourne’s inner eastern suburbs
Planning a complete landscape?
Tell us about your property, your plans and what you want the landscape to make possible.
Anticipated landscape construction budgets from $100,000.
Discuss your project