Landscape Design Eastern Suburbs - Best questions to ask your Eastern Suburbs Landscape Designer

Choosing the best Eastern Suburbs landscape designer might seem easy. Looking at their past projects helps, but if your project is quite involved, you will have to as a few deeper questions. This guide helps with the best Q&A to ask.

1) What should I ask an Eastern Suburbs landscape designer before I book them?

Ask questions about their process, what’s included, and how they handle the realities of Eastern Suburbs garden design (access, strata, coastal conditions).

• What’s your process from site visit to installation?
• Do you design and coordinate ordering / deliveries?
• How do you handle access constraints and strata rules?
• What’s included in your fee (plans, selections, revisions)?
• How do you keep the project on budget?

2) How do I know if a landscape designer understands Eastern Suburbs sites?

You’ll know quickly because they’ll talk about constraints first—wind, salt, access, approvals—followed by style.

These are some common constraints faced when designing Eastern Suburbs gardens:

• They ask about wind, salt air, and sun reflection (not just “style”)
• They talk access: stairs, narrow side paths, no parking, crane limits
• They flag approvals early such as strata, heritage, neighbour impacts
• They’ve designed for courtyards, balconies, rooftops, not just backyards

3) What causes budget blowouts in Eastern Suburbs landscaping?

Budget blowouts usually come from access, hidden site work, and changing decisions too late in the process.

• Access + labour: more hands, more trips, more time
• Hidden site work such as drainage fixes, demolition surprises, retaining
• Expensive finishes including stone, joinery, custom metalwork adds up fast
• Late changes - redesigning after quotes come in

At Vogue & Vine, we focus on finalising the decisions earlier so pricing stays predictable.

4) What information should I give my landscape designer to get accurate advice?

The fastest way to get accurate advice is to share the practical details early—budget, constraints, and how you want to use the space.

• A rough budget range (even if it’s wide)
• Photos + a quick video walk-through (morning and late afternoon helps)
• Any strata / council constraints you already have
• What you want the space to do (dining, lounge, kids, pets, privacy)
• A priority list: “must-haves” vs “nice-to-haves”

5) How does The Eastern Suburbs coastal winds & salt air affect plant and material choices?

In coastal and exposed pockets, the right choices are the ones that won’t fail over time. Plants, finishes, and fixings need to be selected for performance first and then looks

• Choose plants that cope with exposure, not just what looks lush
• Avoid materials/finishes that corrode or stain easily near the coast
• Design screening that’s anchored well and won’t corrode
• Plan for microclimates Eg a Bronte cliff edge isn’t the same as a sheltered Paddington courtyard

6) What’s the best way to get privacy in an Eastern Suburbs courtyard or balcony?

The best privacy outcomes come from layered screening and smart plant choices, not one quick fix.

• Layered screening beats one tall hedge
• Slim trees / tall shrubs that can be hedged for height
• Mid-layer for density and appearance
• Underplanting for softness

Vogue & Vine also consider these aspects for smaller Eastern Suburbs gardens:

We look at elevated sightlines from windows above (not just eye level)

In windy spots, we balance privacy with airflow so plants don’t struggle

On balconies, planter size + irrigation matters as much as plant selection

7) How do I ask about strata approvals for balcony or rooftop landscaping?

Ask in a way that confirms they can handle the admin and logistics—not just the design ideas.

Important questions include:

• Have you done projects in strata buildings like mine?
• What documents can you provide for committee approval?
• How do you address waterproofing interfaces and drainage?
• Who coordinates lift bookings, access protection, and delivery timing?

If your designer isn’t comfortable here, you’ll end up managing it yourself.

8) What should I ask about drainage on a sloped Eastern Suburbs block?

Discuss drainage early, because it affects levels, planting, paving, and the long-term usability of the space.

• Where does stormwater currently go in heavy rain”
• Will your plan show falls, pits, and runoff paths”
• Who designs/installs drainage—your team or the landscaper”
• How do you handle surprises once excavation starts”

A courtyard that puddles is usually a drainage plan that never existed.

9) How do I check if the designer’s quote matches the brief?

The easiest check is whether the quote clearly lists deliverables, selections, coordination, and revision limits.

Ask for a scope list with:

• Drawings included (to scale, planting plan, materials notes)
• Selection schedule (pots, plants, furniture, lighting)
• Coordination included (ordering, delivery, trades)
• Revision rounds and what triggers extra fees

If it’s one line and vague, expect gaps later.

10) What’s the best question to ask about timelines in the Eastern Suburbs?

The best timeline question is one that uncovers lead times, staging and any local bottlenecks that cause delays.

• What are the long-lead items on my project?
• Do you order pots/furniture early to lock stock?
• How do you stage works if access or approvals slow things down?
• What delays are common locally (rain, trades, deliveries, strata rules)?

A good answer provides a sound plan with dates and realistic contingencies.

11) What does a low-maintenance garden actually mean for Eastern Suburbs homes?

Low-maintenance means the garden is sustainable and suits your conditions, with the right structure, access, and irrigation where needed.

• Plants chosen for your light + exposure, not just the label “hardy”
• Irrigation where it matters (especially planters and rooftops)
• Layout that allows access for trimming and cleaning
• A realistic maintenance plan (monthly vs seasonal)

As qualified horticulturalists, Vogue & Vine tell you what exactly what low maintenance looks like for your site.

12) What outcomes should I expect from a good Eastern Suburbs landscape design plan?

You should expect a design that’s buildable, site-smart, and detailed enough that quotes and installation don’t turn into guesswork.

• Layout - fits how you live eg dining, lounging, access paths, storage
• Planting plan - that works in your microclimate (sun/wind/salt/shade)
• Clear selections list: pots, plants, finishes
• Documented Build/installation path that’s coordinated around access and approvals

The goal is a space that looks good with a project that runs smoothly.

This guide should help you find the right Eastern Suburbs landscape designer for your project. It will make the tricky parts feel organised—access, approvals, budgets, timelines and plant choices that actually suit your site.

Asking these questions early and you’ll avoid most of the common headaches before they start. If you’d like help shaping a courtyard, balcony or rooftop into something you’ll genuinely use, Vogue & Vine can guide the design and the details, so the end result feels inspiring and tailored to your outdoor lifestyle.