Landscaping

A well-thought-out site plan, as part of your construction drawings, should take landscaping into account.
While many self-builds only include basic landscaping to meet planning requirements (e.g., native hedging and trees at site boundaries), creating a detailed plan for the future will be beneficial, even if the funds are not currently available.

The design brief should take into account your current and future lifestyle, including factors like leisure, children, pets, hobbies, and health and fitness.
It should also explore your commitment to sustainability, green living, and self-sufficiency.

Incorporate hard landscaping early in the project by utilizing the digger while it’s on-site for other tasks like foundation digging.
Creating a base for hard landscaping typically involves laying a layer of hardcore, followed by chippings and sand, compacted with a whacker.
Install drainage pipes and any rainwater harvesting solutions for the garden at this stage.
Lay ducts for future external lighting, powered gates, or sewage treatment systems.
Groundwork contractors will determine the levels, saving you time and effort for future projects like patios or driveways.

Having a clear plan allows you to begin planting trees and other soft landscaping features early in the project.
By doing this, your trees can be semi-mature by the time you move in, saving you the expense of purchasing mature trees from garden centers.
Planting during the dormant season allows you to buy cheaper bare-root plants instead of more expensive root-balled or container-grown plants.

Ensure that newly planted and existing trees and hedges are properly protected throughout the construction process.
Although it's tempting to complete hard landscaping immediately, it’s often better to live on the site for a year before deciding where to place seating, decking, flower beds, vegetable patches, barbecues, or even the clothesline.

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