How a Landscaping Construction Team Works From Start to Finish (It’s More Than You Think)
Author: Jay Shelling
Date Published: January 26, 2026
Approximate Reading Time: 3 Minutes
If you’ve ever caught yourself Googling “what do landscapers do?” you’re not alone. Most homeowners start with a simple picture in mind: neat lawn care, fresh mulch, maybe a few new garden beds. But once you’re actually planning a landscaping project, especially alongside a home renovation or wider building project, you quickly realise landscaping is its own mini build.
It’s a blend of design thinking, coordination, land management, and construction expertise that shapes how your outdoor space looks, feels, and functions for years to come. Done well, landscaping connects the home to its environment and supports real, everyday living. Done poorly, it can create drainage issues, maintenance headaches, and costly rework.
In this post, we’ll walk through what a Landscape Construction team actually does from first site visit to final handover, including the design process, project management, and the kind of ongoing maintenance that protects your investment long after the build is complete.
More Than A Gardener... This Is What Landscapers Do
A landscaping construction team plans, coordinates, and builds functional outdoor environments. This includes site assessment and soil analysis, developing a garden design (often with a landscape designer or as part of broader landscape architecture), managing trades and timelines, and completing structural building work such as paving work, retaining elements, and fixture construction.
They also install softscape elements like flowerbeds, garden beds, and planting zones, alongside systems such as irrigation installation, shade structures, and water features. Many professional teams offer garden maintenance and long-term landscape maintenance, ensuring the space continues to perform as intended.
At its core, this is a professional service that sits within the wider landscaping industry and home improvement sector, governed by standards, safety requirements, and local regulations.
Below: Image by Flo Landscapes | Warranwood
Understanding the Landscaping Process Saves You Time, Money, and Stress
Landscaping is often considered late in the building process, yet it’s one of the most complex. Homeowners can be caught off guard by how many moving parts are involved once you factor in drainage, levels, access, materials, and approvals from local council or other authorities.
Understanding how the process works helps you:
- Know when to engage a landscaper
- Set realistic expectations around timelines and contract price
- Avoid scope gaps and rushed decisions late in the build
- Understand the difference between basic gardening and professional landscaping services
- Achieve a better end result, not just visually, but functionally and long term
A professional landscaper isn’t only thinking about what looks good on day one. They’re considering soil health, water movement, safety, durability, and how the space will evolve with family life, weather, and use.
Below: Image courtesy Flo Landscapes
The Landscaping Process Explained: What Happens From First Visit to Final Handover
Step 1: Every Great Landscape Starts With the Site (Not the Plants)
Before materials or plants are discussed, experienced landscaping contractors start with the site itself.
This includes assessing:
- Levels, slope, and water flow
- Existing physical features such as trees, fences, pools, and hardscapes
- Access for machinery and deliveries
- Drainage risks and existing services
- How you want to use the space day to day
This stage sets the foundation for smart land management and helps avoid surprises later in the build.
Step 2: What’s Beneath the Surface Matters More Than You Think
Even the most beautiful design can struggle if the ground underneath isn’t right. This is where soil science and proper soil analysis come into play.
A team will assess:
- Soil composition and compaction
- Drainage behaviour during heavy rainfall
- Areas needing improvement before planting
- How to support long-term plant care
These insights influence everything from planting success to paving longevity and help reduce future landscaping challenges.
Below: Image Langwarrin
Step 3: Where Vision Meets Reality: Turning Ideas Into a Buildable Design
This is where ideas turn into a clear plan.
A landscape designer or garden designer translates your goals into a layout that balances beauty and usability.
This often includes:
- Defined zones for dining, relaxing, or play
- Planting concepts that support low-maintenance green spaces
- Pathways, transitions, and connection to the home
- A balance between structural elements and softscape design
For complex sites or high-value builds, landscape architects may be involved, particularly where engineering, overlays, or integration with architecture is required.
Clarity here prevents costly changes later.
Below: Image Warranwood
Step 4: The Quote Isn’t Just a Number (It’s a Roadmap for the Build)
This is where transparency matters most.
A well-prepared scope should clearly outline:
- What’s included and excluded
- Materials, finishes, and allowances
- Staging and timing assumptions
- Site access and logistics
- Provisional items that may change
Your contract price should reflect real labour, materials, waste removal, coordination, and compliance, not just the visible finishes.
If a quote seems significantly cheaper, it’s often because something important has been left out.
Step 5: The Invisible Work That Keeps Your Project Running Smoothly
This is the work you don’t always see, but feel immediately if it’s missing.
Effective project management coordinates:
- Deliveries and site logistics
- Trades and specialist installers
- Sequencing of works
- Weather delays and safety planning
- Consistent quality control
Strong project managers keep communication clear and reduce stress throughout the landscaping process.
Below: Planting at Langwarrin
Step 6: The Messy Middle That Makes Everything Else Possible
Site preparation and groundworks tend get a little messy, but this going to support the dream garden.
Depending on the project, this can include:
- Excavation and removal of old materials
- Sub-base preparation for hardscapes
- Setting levels, falls, and drainage
- Structural preparation for paths and terraces
When landscaping is part of a broader building project, this stage must align with other trades and may involve coordination with a registered building practitioner or Building Surveyor.
Step 7: Where Structure Takes Shape and the Space Starts to Feel Real
Hardscaping and structural elements are where structure and definition emerge.
Hardscape works may include:
- Paving work and installation of a durable paving system
- Steps, edges, and transitions
- Shade structures and built elements
- Integrated fixtures (fixture construction)
- Water features that add movement and calm
Precision here is essential. Small shortcuts can cause long-term issues.
Below: Custom water feature
Step 8: Water Planning That Protects Your Landscape Long Term
Water management is critical to long-term success.
A professional team plans:
- Efficient irrigation installation aligned with planting zones
- Drainage integration to protect structures
- Reduced water waste while supporting plant health
Good planning here reduces ongoing effort and supports sustainable landscapes.
Step 9: The Moment the Garden Comes to Life
The space comes alive with softscape installation and planting.
Softscape works include:
- Shaped and layered garden beds
- Seasonal and evergreen planting
- Flowerbeds for softness and colour
- Optional vegetable garden zones
- Mulching and soil conditioning
Detail at this stage influences how the landscape matures over time.
Step 10: The Final Details That Separate “Finished” From “Done Properly”
A quality handover includes:
- Final levels and clean edges
- Site clean-up
- Walkthrough and quality checks
- Guidance on early plant care
- Advice on protecting new surfaces
Ongoing Maintenance: What Happens After the Build?
Landscaping isn’t “set and forget.” Even low-maintenance gardens need a plan.
Post-build support often includes:
- A clear garden maintenance schedule
- Seasonal plant checks
- Lawn establishment and lawn care
- Mulching, pruning, and soil health upkeep
This protects your investment and keeps your outdoor space feeling effortless, not overwhelming.
We include a 6-month maintenance check for our clients to make sure all the plants are looking better than day one.
So, What Do Landscapers Do? They Build Spaces for Real Life
At their best, they design and build outdoor environments that support real life.
A professional landscaping construction team blends design, technical planning, compliance awareness, and construction skill to deliver outdoor spaces that feel calm, functional, and built to last.
When done properly, your landscape becomes an extension of your home, not another project to manage.
Ready to Plan Your Landscaping Project?
If you’re thinking about upgrading your outdoor space, whether as a standalone project or part of a larger renovation, Flo Landscapes can guide you through the design and construction process with clarity, structure, and care.
Explore Flo’s
Landscape Design Services and
Landscape Construction approach to see what’s possible.
27 Pages That Will Inspire Your Backyard Makeover
Ready to take the stress out of landscaping your new build?
We’ve created a practical, easy-to-follow 27-page resource for homeowners on the Mornington Peninsula planning a pre-build landscaping project.
Whether it’s your first time, or you’re after a more strategic approach this time around, this guide will help you:
- Understand key timeframes in the design process
- Coordinate with your builder and construction team
- Avoid the most common (and costly) landscaping mistakes
- Prioritise high-quality, functional features from day one
- Plan with confidence using industry-backed best practices
We craft high-quality outdoor spaces that feel timeliness across the Mornington Peninsula. Our designs are site-specific and executed with meticulous attention to detail.
Our approach blends professional landscape design with expert construction to achieve exceptional results.
Take the first step toward your dream garden. Book your design consultation today and experience how Flo Landscapes can transform your property into a work of art.
Want to see what’s possible?
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about how we can bring your garden and home into harmony.
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