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New to Landscaping? Here are Tips on How to Purchase Landscaping Supplies

25 September 2020

Rene Elliott

Are you planning the first landscaping project for your home? One of the most essential aspects of landscaping is finding the right supplies for the project. When you're new to this process, it can be overwhelming to put together an outdoor space that blends seamlessly with the rest of the home. For this reason, one can easily make costly mistakes when sourcing for supplies for their project. Therefore, before you get started, here are some crucial tips to follow as you look for supplies for the project.

Outline Your Landscape Design

Don't start buying supplies before creating a design for your landscape. There are various elements that you can incorporate into your outdoor space. These include lawns, gardens, retaining walls and other hardscapes, garden footpaths, trees, gazebos and much more. Which of these elements would you like to have in your outdoor space? Where will you place them?

Create a design allows you to determine what elements you will have and which supplies to invest in. For example, if you want a lawn, you will know to shop for grass varieties that do well in your area. As you create a landscape design, remember to consider area codes as well. For example, in most cities in Australia, you are required to apply for permits when building a retaining wall that's more than one meter tall. Thus, have this in mind as it can affect which features you ultimately include in your outdoor space.

Know When to Go Cheap

As you shop for landscaping materials, you will quickly learn that there are both cheap and expensive options. Cheap can be costly in the long run. However, this doesn't mean that expensive is always the best. For example, when buying grass, you need to look at varieties that do best in your climatic conditions. Some may not be cheap, but they will give you value for your money. Similarly, not all types of lumber are ideal for landscaping projects.

Don't be afraid of splurging a little on good quality materials. However, know when to save a few dollars as well. For example, you can shop for some supplies in home improvement warehouses where you could get great discounts. Do your research and find out the varieties of the supplies you need and their quality before buying.

Buy in Bulk Whenever Necessary

Bulk buying is one of the best ways of saving money on landscaping supplies. However, not everything is buyable in bulk. For example, you can get gardening soil and mulch in huge quantities and save a lot of money in the process. Similarly, if you need lumber for building an outdoor structure, you can get an estimate of the required materials and buy them at once. However, note that some materials are best purchased in phases. For example, materials such as cement and sand have a standard market price, and you can buy on an as-needed basis to reduce financial constraints.

Buy Supplies at the Right Time

Some landscaping supplies are cheaper during certain seasons and more expensive during others. Therefore, time your purchases correctly to make savings. For example, buy lumber during the winter as it is cheaper due to the low demand. Similarly, get your seeds, grass, shrubs and perennials late in the season when the demand is low. If you have to make purchases during the peak of landscaping season, look around various stores, including online ones, for great deals.

Account for Tools and Equipment

Finally, when budgeting for landscaping supplies, don't forget the tools and equipment. Some of these will take up a considerable chunk of your budget. Some require buying, while others can be rented. Small tools such as hoses, wheelbarrows, and shovels are affordable, while large equipment such as excavators, forklifts and tillers can cost a lot of money to rent. Account for these and find a reliable dealer for your purchases and rental needs.

These tips should help you have a successful start to your first landscaping project. Contact a company like North Shore Cement & Sand Pty Ltd - for more information.

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