Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Find clear answers to common questions about pricing, timelines, inclusions, site access, and what to expect, so you can feel informed, prepared, and confident before getting started with your project.
What landscaping services do you offer?
We provide landscaping services for both standalone jobs and larger outdoor projects across Pakenham and the surrounding South-East Melbourne growth corridor. Our core services include landscape design, full landscaping projects, new home landscaping, turf installation with natural grass or artificial turf, paving and outdoor surfaces, decking and pergolas, retaining walls, garden beds and planting, irrigation and drainage systems, fencing and privacy screens, and ongoing garden maintenance. Our main focus is creating practical, well-finished outdoor spaces that suit how the property will be used and maintained over time.
Do you specialise in new builds?
Yes. New home landscaping and new build landscaping are a major part of what we do. Many new properties are handed over with empty yards, exposed soil, drainage issues, or no usable outdoor areas, so we help turn that blank space into a finished front yard, backyard, or full outdoor layout that feels complete. We can plan practical landscaping around access, levels, turf areas, garden beds, outdoor surfaces, privacy needs, and low-maintenance planting so the outdoor space suits the home from the beginning rather than becoming a future problem.
Do you install natural and artificial turf?
Yes. We install both natural turf and artificial turf, and we help you choose the option that best suits the property, how the space will be used, and how much maintenance you want to take on. For natural grass, we can supply and install options such as Sir Walter Buffalo, TifTuf Bermuda Hybrid, Kikuyu, and Couch. For lower-maintenance spaces, shaded areas, small yards, rental properties, or high-traffic areas, artificial turf can be a practical option. We do not push one choice for every site. We look at the conditions and recommend what is most suitable.
Do you offer garden maintenance?
Yes. Garden maintenance is one of our core services and includes both one-off work and ongoing care. We help with regular lawn mowing and edging, weed control, hedge trimming, pruning of small trees and shrubs, green waste removal, mulching, and general garden upkeep. Some clients book us for a once-off tidy-up before a sale, after a tenant moves out, or when the garden has become overgrown. Others use us on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis to keep the property neat and manageable. We keep the service flexible so it can suit different property types and stages of upkeep.
How does your quoting process work?
Our process usually starts with your enquiry, followed by a site visit or assessment so we can understand the work properly. We then provide a clear quote based on the agreed scope. If the project needs design input or layout discussion, we work through that before the job is approved and scheduled. We ask clients to provide site access and a clear idea of what they want done, and we guide the rest from there. In most cases, we supply the materials as part of the job, although we can sometimes work with client-supplied items where suitable.
How soon can you start?
Start times vary depending on the season, the type of work, and our current workload, but most jobs can usually begin within one to two weeks from confirmation. Smaller garden maintenance jobs or turf installations may be scheduled sooner depending on availability, while larger landscaping projects may need more lead time for planning, materials, and site preparation. We prefer to give realistic timeframes rather than make promises too early, and once the scope is confirmed, we keep you updated so you know what to expect before work begins.
How long will my project take?
The timeframe depends on the project size, site conditions, and the type of work involved. Smaller jobs such as garden maintenance, turf installation, or minor upgrades are often completed within one to two days. Medium-sized works like paving, partial landscaping, or decking usually take around three to seven days. Larger landscaping projects, including full front and backyard transformations or new build landscaping, can take one to three weeks or more. We provide a more accurate timeframe once we inspect the site and confirm the full scope, and we keep you informed throughout the job.
How much will my landscaping project cost?
The cost depends on the size of the area, the scope of work, the materials selected, site access, ground conditions, drainage needs, and the level of finish you want. A simple turf installation or maintenance job will be very different from a full landscaping project that includes paving, retaining walls, planting, irrigation, decking, or fencing. We do not use vague pricing because that often leads to confusion later. Instead, we inspect the site, talk through what matters most to you, and provide a clear quote based on the actual project requirements so you can make an informed decision.
What is usually included in your quote?
Our quotes are based on the agreed scope of work and are intended to make the project clear before anything starts. Depending on the job, that may include site preparation, materials, labour, installation, and agreed finishing works. Green waste removal, rubbish removal, and final clean-up are typically included where relevant, but the exact inclusions always depend on what is outlined in the quote. We prefer to be specific upfront so there are no false assumptions about what is or is not part of the job. If anything needs clarification, we would rather discuss it before work begins.
Do I need to be home during the work?
In most cases, no. You usually do not need to be home as long as we have clear access to the site and the job details have been confirmed beforehand. We do ask that clients remain reachable by phone during the work in case any practical decisions or site questions come up. Where possible, it is helpful if you can be present at the end for a final walkthrough or inspection so we can go over the finished result with you. This gives you peace of mind and lets us confirm everything has been completed as agreed.
Who will complete the work on site?
The work is carried out by the owner and a small in-house team, depending on the size of the project. We believe that matters because clients often want to know who is actually turning up and managing the standard of work. We are not trying to present ourselves as a large contractor with multiple unknown crews. The benefit of our approach is more direct communication, better oversight, and a stronger focus on detail and consistency across the job. Where a project requires qualified third-party trades, we coordinate that as needed.
Can you help with front yard landscaping?
Yes. Front yard landscaping is one of the most common reasons people contact us, especially when they want to improve street appeal, finish off a new home properly, or make the property look cleaner and more valuable from the street. We can help with turf, planting, garden beds, edging, pavers, retaining elements, feature surfaces, and low-maintenance layouts that suit the style of the house. Whether the goal is a neat modern front yard, a more practical family-friendly layout, or a stronger presentation for resale, we focus on creating an entrance that looks finished and works well.
Can you transform my backyard space?
Yes. We regularly work on backyard landscaping and backyard makeovers that turn underused outdoor areas into practical spaces for everyday living. Some clients want a family lawn, some want better access and paved areas, and others want a low-maintenance layout with planting, privacy, decking, or room for entertaining. We can combine different elements so the space feels more usable and visually balanced rather than pieced together over time. This is especially helpful for new homes and older properties where the backyard has never been finished properly or no longer suits the way the property is used.
Can you create a low-maintenance garden?
Yes. A lot of clients want a garden that looks tidy and attractive without needing constant upkeep, and we can design or upgrade outdoor areas with that in mind. Low-maintenance landscaping may include simpler layouts, practical planting choices, mulch, pebbles, artificial turf in selected areas, edging that keeps the garden defined, and irrigation where appropriate. The right solution depends on the property, the amount of sun and shade, and how much effort you want to put into ongoing care. Our goal is to help you achieve a result that still looks well presented without becoming hard to manage.
Can you improve my property before sale?
Yes. We work with homeowners, investors, and property managers who need outdoor improvements before listing a property for sale or rent. In many cases, targeted landscaping upgrades can quickly improve first impressions and help the home present better to buyers or tenants. That may involve turf replacement, garden bed refreshes, mulching, planting, fencing updates, weed control, hedge trimming, or a full garden clean-up depending on the property. We focus on practical improvements that lift presentation, make the home feel better maintained, and support value without overcomplicating the project.
Can you work from my existing plan?
Yes. If you already have a landscape plan, we can review it, look at the site, and advise on whether the design is practical to build as proposed. We can also recommend adjustments to materials, layout details, or construction methods where needed so the end result works better in real conditions. Some clients come to us with a plan in hand but still want help making sure the build side is realistic and well executed. We are comfortable working with that approach and guiding the construction side so the finished landscaping is both practical and well resolved.
Do you offer design-only landscaping services?
We do offer design-only landscaping for selected projects, but it is not our standard approach for every enquiry. It is usually more suitable for new builds, larger landscaping works, or situations where a client wants a plan before deciding on construction. In most cases, we prefer to be involved in both the design and the build because that gives better continuity and helps ensure the finished result matches the agreed concept. If you are mainly looking for design support, we can discuss the scope and let you know whether it is the right fit for your project.
What turf should you recommend for my yard?
We recommend turf based on how the space will be used, how much maintenance you want, and the site conditions. If you want the natural feel of a real lawn and are happy to keep up with mowing, watering, and fertilising, natural turf is often the better option for family homes and larger yards. If low maintenance is the priority, or the area is shaded, compact, high traffic, or part of an investment property, artificial turf may make more sense. We supply and install both, so our advice is based on practicality and final appearance rather than trying to fit every yard into one standard solution.
Can you install paving, decking, and fencing together?
Yes. These elements are often part of the same landscaping project, and handling them together usually creates a more cohesive and practical result. A backyard or front yard often works better when paving, decking, turf, planting, retaining walls, and fencing are considered as one connected outdoor space instead of separate jobs done at different times. We can help with concrete or stone pavers, pathways, patio areas, timber or composite decking, and fencing or privacy screens that suit the property. This joined-up approach often saves time, improves the final finish, and avoids mismatched decisions.
Do landscaping projects ever need permits or approvals?
Some do. Approval requirements depend on the type of work, the height or size of the structure, site conditions, and local requirements. This can sometimes apply to retaining walls, pergolas, certain fencing works, drainage, or other outdoor structures. We do not assume every project can go ahead without approvals, and we do not present that process as automatic. Our role is to identify early whether approvals, engineering, surveyor input, or qualified trades are likely to be needed, then guide you through the next steps and work alongside the relevant professionals where required.
Can you fix drainage and irrigation issues?
Yes. We handle practical irrigation and drainage works that support healthy lawns and gardens and help prevent common water problems around the property. That may involve lawn irrigation, drip irrigation for garden beds, basic irrigation setup for new landscaping, drainage correction, agi pipe installation, or surface drainage solutions to manage runoff and pooling. In some cases, these works are included as part of a larger landscaping project, while in other situations they are done to solve a specific problem area. We focus on practical solutions that suit the site rather than adding unnecessary complexity.
Do you work with builders and managers?
Yes. While homeowners and investors are our main clients, we also work with custom home builders, townhouse developers, small to medium residential builders, property managers, and selected small commercial clients where the work suits our services. This is usually for landscaping upgrades, new build landscaping, turf installation, garden maintenance, presentation improvements, or practical outdoor works that need to be completed professionally and on a manageable scale. We are a good fit for clients who want clear communication, organised delivery, and quality workmanship without trying to turn the project into a large commercial operation.
How do you keep the site tidy?
We believe a professional job includes a professional working approach. That means staying organised during the work, managing materials properly, and aiming to leave the site clean, tidy, and ready to use once the job is complete. Green waste removal, rubbish removal, and final clean-up are typically part of our process where relevant, although the exact scope depends on what has been agreed in the quote. We do not like leaving clients with uncertainty about that side of the job, so we prefer to make it clear upfront and then follow through with a clean finish on site.
Why should you choose Royal Nest Landscaping?
Clients choose us because they want a landscaper who is reliable, detail-focused, honest about the process, and capable of delivering a clean final result without cutting corners. We bring more than five years of hands-on landscaping and outdoor works experience, and our work is carried out by the owner and a small in-house team rather than being passed around with little oversight. We are fully insured with Public Liability, White Card certified, and carry out work in line with relevant Australian Standards where applicable. Just as importantly, we focus on clear communication, organised project handling, honest pricing, and practical aftercare advice once the work is complete.
What happens after I contact you?
Once you get in touch, we talk through the property, the kind of work you want, and whether the project sounds like the right fit. From there, we arrange a site visit or assessment so we can properly understand the space and any practical considerations. After that, we provide a clear quote and discuss any design input if needed. Once the scope is approved, we schedule the work and keep you updated on timing and progress. We try to keep the whole process straightforward so you know where things stand from the first conversation through to completion.
