Garden planning & landscaping
Landscape design in Sydney
Plan a garden that suits your home, from the beds and paths to the plants and lawn. We work through the choices with you on site, then carry out the agreed landscaping.
- Plan your garden on site with David
- Planning followed by the landscaping work
- See our completed Ryde garden
Planning your garden
A garden planned around you
We walk the garden with you and work out a layout around the sun, soil, drainage and how you want to use the space. The planning leads into the work: preparing the ground, planting, edging, mulching and laying turf where agreed.
Layout and easy access
Put beds, paths and lawn where they work for you, with clear routes between the house and the parts of the garden you use.
Plants for your garden
Choose planting and screening for the sun, shade and soil, and the space each plant will need as it grows.
Keep what already works
Plan around established plants that are healthy and well placed, along with the garden features you want to keep.
Upkeep and budget
Balance the planting, lawn and materials with what you want to spend and how much care you want to give the garden.
From our work
Paths, planting and lawn in Ryde.
At this new-build home, we turned bare ground into lawn, planted borders, a stepping-stone path and pebbled side passages. These original photos show how the different areas came together.
Ryde · April 2018
A path through the front garden
Stepping stones lead across the new lawn to the front door, with planting beside the house.
Lawn and a planted border
New lawn sits between the pool fence and a screening border along the back fence.
A finished side passage
White pebbles finish the narrow passage between the house and hedge.
Planning your budget
What does a planned garden cost?
These budgets cover the garden planned and built, including the agreed landscaping work. They are not fees for drawings. The on-site visit and quote are free; David confirms the price after seeing the garden and discussing the layout and materials.
| Small garden, planned and built | $2,000 to $5,000 |
|---|---|
| Medium garden, planned and built | $5,000 to $20,000 |
| Large garden, planned and built | $20,000 to $50,000 |
Typical prices, including GST. We confirm the exact price with a free quote on site.
What affects your quote?
- The size of the area and how much needs clearing
- The number and size of plants
- The materials for edging, paths and mulch
- Whether new lawn is part of the plan
Working with Absolute
Plan it on site with David
David has run this family garden business in Ryde since 1994. You discuss the garden with the business that carries out the work, so the layout, plants and budget are agreed together.
David · Founder of Absolute
More about Absolute$20 million public liability cover
Walk the garden together
Talk through what you would like to change, which plants you want to keep and how you use the space. We look at the light, soil, drainage and access.
Agree on the garden and the price
Work through the beds, paths, planting and lawn on site. David provides a free quote for the agreed work before you decide to go ahead.
Bring the layout to life
We arrange the work, prepare the ground and complete the planting and landscaping you have agreed on. Green waste from the work is taken away.
Highly recommend this landscaping company. They listened to my ideas, provided great suggestions, and delivered results that exceeded my expectations.
More customer reviews
Another tree service mucked me around all morning with quote appointment changes, so I contacted Festus from Absolute Tree and he quoted over the phone his team turned up and both tree stumps were gone before sunset on the same day at a most reasonable cost. Thanks again.
Graeme Macallister ·
I was a bit apprehensive about hiring a landscaper after hearing a few horror stories, especially picking someone I’d found online—but I’m so glad I went with Absolute Tree and Garden. David was extremely responsive and even shuffled his schedule to squeeze my job in earlier than expected. The team that came out were friendly, efficient, and thorough—exactly what you’d hope for. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Absolute Tree and Garden to anyone.
Simon Davies ·
David and the whole crew at Absolute Tree and Garden Services are fantastic. The work is always done very professionally and safely. The crew are very friendly and respectful. I have used them for many years across multiple properties and the service is always the same - consistently good. I like that they will push back if the request is not going to give you the best result which is great. They turn up on time!! Their rates are very reasonable as well. I fully recommend Absolute Tree and Garden Services! Stuart
Stuart Anderson ·
David and his team are phenomenal! Our overgrown trees have been pruned to perfection our front garden replanted and it looks gorgeous. Thank you David!
Wendye Vince ·
I could not rate David and his team more highly. They did a first rate job in both my backyard and front yard. Both look fantastic and I could not be happier. David is a genuinely nice guy and very easy to relate and talk to. David’s price was very reasonable for all the work he did and I will definitely be using his services again soon. Highly recommended.
Peter Brooke ·
These guys were great. Good communication, job done well and no mess left behind. Very happy. Thank you.
Carolyn Ozkoseoglu ·
Before you book
Landscape design questions
Do you provide drawings or a design-only service?
Our service is practical garden planning with you on site, followed by the agreed landscaping work. We don’t offer a separate drawn-plan service or a set of plans to take to another contractor.
Can you plan a small area and keep existing plants?
Yes. We can focus on a front garden, one bed or part of the backyard. Healthy established plants in the right place are worth keeping, and the layout can work around them.
What if I don’t know what I want yet?
Start with what is not working: an awkward path, too much lawn, a bare bed or more upkeep than you want. Photos of gardens you like and a budget are helpful, but optional. David can talk through the choices when he visits.
Can the design include retaining walls, paving or a pool?
The focus is planting, garden beds, paths and lawn. Small garden walls and small paving jobs can fit within our under-$5,000 scope for that work. Large retaining walls, extensive paving and pools are outside this service.
How does this fit with your landscaping service?
Landscape design is the planning part of the garden work we carry out. We agree on the layout and plants with you, then prepare and finish the garden. Our landscaping page explains the work that can be included.
Explore our landscaping workCan you change the layout of an existing garden?
Yes. If your garden needs a different layout, new planting or refreshed beds, a garden makeover may suit. You can describe the changes you want without choosing a service name first.
Explore garden makeoversWhere we work
Garden planning across our part of Sydney
We're based in Ryde and do this work across the suburbs around it. Choose your area for local details.
- Ryde
Our home base: Eastwood, West Ryde, Putney and nearby
- North Shore
Hunters Hill and Lane Cove up to Hornsby and Wahroonga
- Inner West
Terraces and courtyards from Balmain to Strathfield
- Hills District
Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, North Rocks and nearby
Free on-site quote
Let’s talk about your garden
Tell David what you would like to change and your suburb. He’ll get in touch to arrange a free on-site quote.