New Construction Landscaping

I suggest to wait couple years, grading adjustment. You may have to rip up everything.waste of money and efforts. That is only 1 winter, 0 summer. Wait 2 of each, if you can.

Doing all that on a new build ... you are asking for trouble.

If you screw your own property ... that's fine ... Tarion won't cover anything.

If you screw someone else's property ... good luck ... make sure you have a good lawyer and ample of money

Buying a newly built home is exciting …
As you have a say / hand in all the decisions

But just like the inside * you really should give time for your home to settle (and yourself)
Cuz the truth is …
Doing a whole lot of stuff before that happens can just be a big old wasted pile of money

Use this time wisely … do research on what it is you actually want long term for your home & property

So many people rush ahead … and make quick decisions … many of them BAD
In the name of just getting it all done ASAP

Lol ask any one who’s bought a resale house
Only to find poorly made decisions … esp when it comes to landscaping
Be it effing up the grading = poor drainage
Or planting trees without actually knowing much about the tree they are buying
Or what is best suited for … and location
90% + houses have trees that were installed without much forethought
For the type of tree
How it grows / looks year round … or how big it grows .. or other quirks
(Needle drop, prone to disease, bugs… etc )

Two of the biggest mistakes you see all the time …
Trees planted too close to the house … or the roadway / driveway
Which later on can wreck havoc with foundations / asphalt etc

Live in the house
Get a real feel for the space and how you use it
Read lots
Consult magazines
Clip / Save pics for an idea file
Etc

Maybe even look at hiring a designer ** to draw you up a plan / planting plan
It will be money well spent in the long run

* Inside same thing. Let the house settle before you go paint crazy. You’ll be dealing with nail pops, drywall tape bubbles, etc
Soon enough
Let the house do it’s bit … so your builder can do their’s (follow up )
Makes no sense to paint & repaint a wall twice cuz you weren’t patient

** Designers can think of things you never knew or imagined be that indoors or out
And there are services at all price points
From the high end of Interior Designers & Landscape Architects on down to the low end …
Horticulturalists and Room Stylists
And lots in between
Something for everyone’s budget
You can even go the DIY Route … by taking courses or workshops

But the more research … knowledge & confidence you build front end
The less disappointment & wasted money at the back end

teoconca wrote: ↑ I suggest to wait couple years, grading adjustment. You may have to rip up everything.waste of money and efforts. That is only 1 winter, 0 summer. Wait 2 of each, if you can.

^ This.

I waited a lot longer- mainly because I was procrastinating and indecisive. But I'm glad I did. The driveway and ground really started settling a few years, plus you get a sense what you need to factor. For example, after two winters, I realized I wouldn't have room for snow if I pushed a bigger driveway/walkway combo.

I also ended up hiring a contractor for the job. It made things a lot easier in the end.

altezza86 wrote: ↑ My wife and I want to start our landscaping project which includes interlocking for a walkway at the front and a driveway picture frame, and a raised deck in the backyard.

We moved into our new home in October 2021 and they graded the property and inserted the sod in November.

I asked the builder if I can go ahead with the landscaping and this is the reply I received.

"It is your own property but the developer did not complete their grading job, yet. As a builder, I can not tell you what you should do, and it is your house and your decision."

Like I said, the sod was layed down already including the base coat of asphalt on the driveway.

You think it's ok to go ahead?

I waited 4 years before i do anything.