Our Services

At NIWA Designs, we specialise in creating gardens that balance beauty with functionality. We can assist with bespoke landscape design, plant sourcing, and tailored horticultural advice.

Drawing on Ben’s extensive industry experience, NIWA Designs has developed a refined design process that takes you from concept to completion with confidence and clarity. Each stage considers your brief, the unique qualities of your site, planning compliance, and construction requirements. This approach enables our clients to invest in their gardens with ease and without unnecessary complexity.

1. Consultation.

Once you have contacted Ben via email or phone, we will send you our Initial Consultation Document and questionnaire. After a site visit has been arranged, we will conduct a desktop study to better understand your property and provide some initial advice. During the 60-minute consultation we will develop a comprehensive project brief, note key site constraints and features, discuss your ideas, and gain an understanding of your family’s needs. While on site we will take a range of photos to aid in arranging the Landscape Design Proposal.

Within a week of meeting you on site, a Landscape Design Proposal will be sent to you. This provides further details on our process and the associated costs.

All initial on-site consultations are $352 incl. GST (within Sydney Metropolitan Region). Please contact us for rural or out of state consultations.

If you don’t already have a survey of your site we can help arrange one. This will be needed before any conceptual work begins.

2. Concept Design

Based on the site analysis and your design brief, we prepare a concept design that captures the vision for your garden. This is presented in person, supported by a mood board to convey the character, materials, and planting style being proposed.

At this stage, we also discuss whether your project may require council approval. Once you are comfortable with the direction, we can proceed with the appropriate planning and construction documentation of Stages 3 & 4. We can provide an estimate on the project once the concept has been approved by you.

3. Planting Plan

Our planting plan sets out each species with precision, accompanied by a schedule for contractors to use when providing quotes. A plant portfolio will be included to help you visualise the selections and understand why they were chosen for your site.

The Planting plan is presented with the Concept design so that you can visualise the whole garden.

4. Planning Documentation for Submission

For projects requiring council approval, we prepare all necessary documentation in line with local planning controls and regulations. This may include detailed plans, written statements, and compliance checklists tailored to your council’s requirements. Our experience ensures this process is managed carefully, giving your application the best chance of a smooth approval.

5. Construction Documentation & Master Planning

This phase translates the approved concept into detailed construction documentation. The Master Plan specifies all intended materials, finishes, and dimensions, forming a clear and practical guide for pricing and building. By resolving technical details at this stage, we help ensure that your contractor can deliver the design to its full potential.

6. Contractor Engagement

We can assist you in obtaining and reviewing contractor quotes, ensuring that the proposals you receive are fair, accurate, and reflective of the design intent. Our established relationships with skilled local contractors allow us to recommend the right professionals for your project, while still leaving you free to select your preferred builder.

7. Design Implementation

Once construction begins, we remain involved to ensure the design is faithfully brought to life. Whether collaborating with one of our trusted contractors or working alongside your chosen team, we are there to provide guidance, answer queries, and resolve any challenges that may arise on site.

You may engage us on a retainer basis or as needed at an hourly rate to oversee installation. This involvement helps safeguard the integrity of the design and ensures a seamless transformation from drawings to a finished landscape.

8. Hand over

When construction is complete, we walk you through your new garden to ensure everything has been finished to the intended standard. We provide guidance on how to care for the planting in the short term and highlight key details of the design so that you feel confident in living with and enjoying your new outdoor space.

9. Maintenance

Our service doesn’t end with completion. Plants are living, evolving organisms, and gardens naturally change over time. To support you, we collaborate with maintenance contractors who understand our design philosophy and can help nurture your garden in line with the original intent.

We also like to stay in contact with clients, offering periodic advice and adjustments as your garden grows. And if you need trusted trades for additional work, we are always happy to recommend from our network of collaborators.

Interested in finding out how we can help your outdoor spaces?

Please contact us via email or on the phone to begin the conversation. Together, we can grow ideas into a garden that is uniquely yours.