Landscaping ideas for GrannyFlat to save cost

Whats the simplest and something with low maintenance and low cost to do landscaping on GrannyFlat?
It will be rented out so nothing fancy and plus tenants won't looking after it. Just to keep it tidy and clean.

Here is my drawing. I am looking for some ideas and how to save cost.



High level plans
1 Building a fence on the front so land must be straight from the front
2 Build a walk way all to way to GF on RHS
3 Existing wood chips on LHS of existing property
4 Turf the back of GF and turf backyard of existing house

#1 Building a fence on the front so land must be straight from the front
a) The land is sloping from left to right (along border) - this will need to be straighten
b) The land falls about 60cm (i think - to be confirmed)
> Do we need to do anything here?
> Is the going to fence sitting on the peak of the land or on the slope down?



#2 Build a walk way all to way to GF on RHS
a) RHS needs to be levelled to a similar gradient as the existing driveway
b) Water + Gas meter in front - we don't want to spend unnecessarily to slope the land perfectly
> Does this need to be boxed around for the levelling?
c) Build a step down from the new gate (is this even needed ?)
d) walk-way will be gravel/ pebble - extend the gravel all the way to the back and around the GF
e) use pavings to allow people to walk upon all the way to GF
f) walk-way to be the same size as the driveway on LHS
g) assume we'll need some type of edging at the front of house where it divides and also edging where it meets the GF.
h) Is it much cost effectives using turf and pavings or pebble with pavings?

#3 Existing wood chips on LHS of existing property
a) LHS near driveway to garage - already have wood chips but damn weeds keep growing? Is there a way to stop this?

#4 Turf the back of GF and turf backyard of existing house

Please keep the ideas and comments coming!

 

The drawn landscape looks ok.

Is the main residence an ip also(maybe in the future)or will you live there?
Pebbles and bored kids of your tenants dont go well together.

 

Existing house is IP also and rented out already. In the future i won't live there.
Another option is Walk way to GF using turf and pavings instead of pebbles.

 

What kind of quotes have you got?

What's the most expensive part of this landscaping project?

 

Pebbles with spaced square pavers are cheap option.
I like using Nepean 10mm @ $100 per tonne.

Also keen pebbles away from grass, unless of course you like flying projectiles shattering anything glass when the tenant uses their lawn mower.

 

River pebbles are a premium product and in turn demand a premium price. Try looking at dolomite or basic crushed rock/gravel. The benefit of these products over pebbles is that the sharp edges of the stones form a more stable surface, which is better for foot traffic/lawnmowers/trollies/highheels. Also make sure you use a plastic geofabric to increase longevity and weed resilience in the barked areas and a good rubble base on your stones.

If you already knew this, just ignore me

 

I'm going to say pebbles with spaced pavers is a HUGE trip hazard and will be a nightmare for furniture removalists etc. How will you get a fridge on a trolley down that access path?

If you are having a driveway poured for the front house I would get them to pour a grano path to the rear. You can colour the concrete if you want it something other than boring concrete grey

 

I'm having a bit of trouble reading the plan/writing, but,

Yard around GF
Keep it simple/low maint, no lawn mowing/whipper snipper required etc, make a path and courtyard area with some pavers or slabs, mulch and low maint plant the rest, with retic off tap timer.

As for down the side of the house, imagine living in the house hearing the sound of river pebbles being kicked/crunched under foot every time someone goes up the side, not bothering to use the paving.
2x2 slabs with mulch, perhaps some 12volt garden lighting so they can see their way when dark.

Q; wouldn't the GF need its own parking?
Pretty sure it's a legal requirement in WA

 

You don't get a trolley down that path. You get two massive tongan blokes (or multiple skinny blokes) to carry the fridge . That's what removalists (or friends) are for

That said, concrete pathways is definitely the preferred option (if its within budget).

 

Just wondering, has the granny flat been built yet?

 

We don't have enough Tongans in Perth, so it would take 4 skinny blokes and one of them walking backwards would trip over the paver, fridge would be dropped on him and goodbye skinny friend.

Proper paving or concrete is my best recommendation. Many of the paver/brick manufacturers sell pavers off as seconds or end of lots for reasonable prices.

 

Yes. its done. just waiting for the occupation certificate from council.

 

I had quote on concrete pathways it cost about 10k, 12k if using stamping

 

In NSW, they can park at the front of the house. there is no requirements on parking

 

Holy crap! That seems expensive. Did you get a quote on proper paving as well?

 

Hello,

I just had a similar dilemma, my granny flat was nearing completion and received some quotes and was astounded at the costs. So i decided to do it myself.

My objectives were
- Low cost
- Low maintenance
- Durability

Take a look at my spreadsheet, quote i received to do this specific job ( i had 4 jobs in total ) was $1500. So I just did it myself and the materials costs $577 (and that includes some tools i get to keep forever

This job took me about 6-7 hours by myself to do. Mind you i was totally knackered by the end of it. So this option is only good if you / your partner are capable of some hard manual labour.

Any questions let me know.

Regards,
QS

 

It's Sydney price. I got stamped concrete done (fully coloured) and it was nicely done. $10K. Paving is at least twice the price of concreting.