Landscaping in Ferntree Gully

Three site realities, and they are genuine rather than a markup. Slope means level areas must be constructed with retaining or decking rather than simply surfaced. Rock in the subsoil turns quick excavation into slow breaking work. And access on many blocks rules out machinery, so digging is by hand and spoil goes out by barrow. Together those can add 20 to 40 per cent over the same job on a flat block, which is why we measure and assess on site rather than quoting by phone.

In most cases, and it is standard work for us here. Structural roots should not be cut, so we hand-dig within root zones, relocate footings rather than trenching through, and use pier-and-beam or floating deck construction where a surface has to pass over roots. Knox City Council applies vegetation protection to significant trees in parts of the suburb, so we check whether approval is needed before planning anything near one. Designing around a mature eucalypt is nearly always better than fighting it.

Blackbutt is the usual recommendation on the bushland edge because it carries a bushfire resistance rating that merbau and treated pine do not. Spotted gum is another dense hardwood worth considering. Beyond the board itself, detailing matters: gaps sealed against ember entry, non-combustible surfaces immediately adjacent to the house and clear drainage that does not accumulate leaf litter. If your property sits in a designated bushfire-prone area, specific construction requirements may apply, and we will raise that before quoting rather than after.

A low-level merbau deck averages $350 to $500 per square metre in normal conditions, but very little here is low-level. Once the deck is elevated you are paying for taller stumps, deeper footings, bracing, stairs and balustrade, with balustrade alone adding an average of $250 to $450 per linear metre. A 30 square metre elevated deck with stairs commonly lands between $16,000 and $26,000. Where the finished floor sits more than 800 millimetres above ground, a building permit is generally required and adds an average of $1,500 to $3,500. Every job is unique, so you get a written fixed figure before any work starts.

Quite possibly, and it should be checked before any plan is finalised. Knox City Council applies vegetation protection and significant tree controls across parts of the suburb, and native vegetation on some properties has additional protection. Penalties for removing a protected tree are substantial, so it is not a risk worth taking. We flag anything that looks likely to be controlled at the site visit and point you to the right council check, and we can usually design around the tree instead.

We do, and those higher streets are where the slope, rock and access constraints are most pronounced. We also work the flatter pockets near Burwood Highway and Ferntree Gully Road where jobs are more conventional. Neighbouring Wantirna South, Rowville and Lysterfield are all in our service area as well. Call 0423 422 866 and describe the block, and we will tell you what to expect before we come out.