Projects big and small need the right kind of equipment. With landscaping becoming more popular around Australia, now is the best time to find out what you need to know for your next landscaping project.
While improving the aesthetics of your nature strip might be top priority, there are plenty of other factors to consider when planning your landscaping project. Working with nature improves your overall quality of life, and landscaping has the potential to improve many aspects of our relationship to the natural environment including:
Water Management
Good landscaping can help maximise water management for residents and the local environment.
Air Quality
Understanding the important role trees play in keeping our air quality balanced
Sustainable
Landscaping projects that focus on putting back what they have taken out not only shapes our environment, but also provides natural habitats for local fauna, and restorative conditions for flora.
How much does a full landscaping job cost?
A lot goes into making a good estimate for costing a complete landscaping job. Elements like landscape design, irrigation, tiling, stonemasonry, horticulture, patios etc., all have to be considered in a complete landscaping proposal. Everyone has those must have features they want for their landscaping project
There is a general rule of thumb that full landscaping jobs cost about 5-10% the value of the house. On a basic flat block it’s closer to 5%, while more complex jobs are going to be closer to 10%.
What sort of equipment do you need?
Equipment needs for landscaping vary depending on the scale and scope of your project.
Before you start landscaping, there are a number of non-invasive and non-destructive tools that can better help you manage the outcome:
- Utility cable locators – Using state of the art technology, utility cable locators will reveal what lies beneath the ground. Before beginning excavation, this is a handy tool for ensuring peace of mind on a safe Work site
- Vacuum trailer – A versatile solution for just about any job site or landscaping project. The vacuum trailer operator can use the solution to repair water leaks, clean out drains, expose buried utility cable and clean up debris around the job site
- Vacuum truck – For large-scale projects the vacuum truck steps in where the vacuum trailer isn’t enough. The ultimate in soft excavation equipment
Landscaping equipment
Landscaping inevitably means reshaping the earth to create something both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Here’s some of the equipment you might need for your next big job.
- Excavator – Excavators are the best way to remove and relocate earth on the job site and come in a variety of sizes, from 1.7T up to 30T
- Site dumper – Hire a site dumper to remove your excavation material from the job site
- Roller – Flattens and compacts the earth to create a sturdy foundation for your landscaping project.
Buy or rent?
It certainly is the age-old question; is it better to buy or rent the equipment you need for your landscaping project? Often, tools bought end up gathering dust for months or years after the project is completed. On the other hand, without good planning you might end up re-renting the same equipment over and over again.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- What are my upfront costs of purchase versus the flexibility of renting?
- So I need any technical expertise or training to use the equipment?
- Do I have a good plan in place to maximise my value per hire?
What’s right for you?
In many cases, hiring equipment is tax deductible, so talking to us makes great economic sense. Renting or leasing can be much easier (and inexpensive) to upgrade when the time comes for new equipment. Solution Plant Hire can provide scalable equipment for your next landscaping project. See what’s available for hire, or contact our team for more information.