For some practical advice, we sat down with Neil Smith, Director at LHP Landscaping + Joel Irrigation – a trusted Forma Homes partner based in Perth. Neil works with first-home builders regularly and knows exactly where people go wrong, what’s worth spending money on, and what can wait. Here’s what he had to say.

Q. Before you spend a single dollar, what should first-home buyers be thinking about?

A. Start with lifestyle. Do you have kids, dogs, or pets? Do you want an entertaining area? That shapes everything. For most first-home buyers, the hardscape stuff – retaining walls, fencing – is generally taken care of by the land developer during the build, so you don’t need to stress about that unless you’ve bought a unique block. The real decisions come down to how you want to use the space.

Q. Where do you see people waste the most money on landscaping?

A. Getting in too quickly without doing the prep properly. The soil over here in Perth is quite sandy, so if you don’t put in the right soil conditioner and slow-release fertiliser, water just runs straight through. People get excited, plant everything to make it look nice, and then the lawn and plants struggle. They end up throwing money at it trying to claw it back.

The other big one is irrigation. People underestimate it. We get weeks of 40-degree heat here, and if the irrigation system isn’t right, everything dies over summer. Then you’re starting from scratch.

Q. Speaking of irrigation – Western Australia has water restrictions. How does that affect things?

A. You’re allowed to water twice a week here. That’s it. So, if you’ve done the soil prep properly and you’ve planted the right plants, they’ve got the best chance of survival on two days a week.

Using Waterwise contractors and the right sprinkler systems makes a real difference. Drip irrigation in garden beds, for example, sits under the mulch so you’re not losing water to evaporation or wind. Every drop counts when you’re on restrictions.

Q. What is hydro zoning and why does it matter?

A. Hydro zoning is grouping similar plants together so you can target your watering. Your trees might be on one irrigation station with bubblers, your lawn on another, and your garden beds on separate drip lines. You’re not watering everything the same way at the same time – you’re being precise.

It also means you can tailor your soil prep for each zone. Native plants get a native mix, trees get a good soil conditioner, the lawn gets a lawn mix. Done right, you save water and money, and everything performs better.

We use a Hunter Node tap timer – it handles up to six stations and it’s programmable. For a rear yard on a first home, that’s more than enough to work with.

Q. What are the current landscaping trends you’re seeing for first homes?

A. Entertainment areas are big right now. Most Forma Homes builds have an alfresco, so people want somewhere to actually use – a spot to barbecue, somewhere the kids can play.

Alongside that, there’s a real push toward native planting, partly because of the water restrictions. Natives are low maintenance, water-wise, and they suit the climate. Feature trees are also worth thinking about. A tree at the back gives you shade, a focal point, and adds something to the space without breaking the bank.

Q. For buyers who want low-maintenance, what design choices make the biggest difference?

A. A few things. First, choose the right turf. Soft leaf buffalo is more water-wise than kikuyu or couch, needs about a third less mowing, and holds up better to traffic – important if you’ve got dogs or kids. It costs a little more upfront, but it pays off.

Second, mulch. Lay 75 to 100mm of mulch in your garden beds and you’ll suppress weeds without having to get out there and pull them every weekend.

Third, edging. Metal or aluminium garden edging to define the border between lawn and garden bed is one of those simple things that makes a huge difference. It keeps the lawn from creeping into the beds and keeps everything looking neat without ongoing effort.

Q. Which plants do you recommend most for first homes in Perth?

A. For low-maintenance, water-wise plants, I keep coming back to Grevillea, Lomandra, Dianella, and Coastal Rosemary (Westringia). They’re all suited to the Perth climate, look great, and don’t need much attention. In a backyard, I’d stick to four or five varieties max, grouped together. Keep it simple and do it well.

Q. What about DIY – is there a place for it?

A. Not at the start, honestly. Irrigation especially is a dying art – if you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll end up chasing your tail. But once a professional has laid the foundations – the irrigation, the soil prep, the hardscape – then absolutely get in there. You can add plants over time, move things around, adapt the space as you go. DIY works great as a follow-on, not as the starting point.

Q. What’s a realistic budget for a first-home buyer in Perth?

A. For an average rear yard only, you’re looking at around $5,000 to $10,000. Front and rear combined is more like $10,000 to $15,000. That gets you the essentials: soil prep, irrigation, slow-release fertiliser, mulch, and the right plants. It’s a solid starting point that sets you up properly.

A lot of estates include a basic front landscaping package in the purchase, so you may only need to budget for the rear. Worth checking what’s included before you plan.

Q. Final question – one piece of advice for someone staring at a bare block, feeling overwhelmed?

A. Get clear on how you want to use the space, and then make sure the prep is right. The best design in the world will fail if the foundations aren’t there. Soil prep and irrigation first, every time. And use contractors who know what they’re doing – Waterwise accredited, with the right products. Once that’s done, the rest is pretty straightforward.

A well-designed garden adds value, and life to your home. Lazy Sunday afternoons. Kids running through the sprinklers. Friends around the alfresco long after the sun goes down. None of that happens by accident. It starts with the right prep, the right plants, and the right people in your corner. Get it right from day one, and your outdoor space will be something you’re proud of for years to come.