Landscaping questions, answered

northern beaches landscapers (NBL) is a local landscape construction company based in Bayview, Sydney, run by owner Patrick (Pat) Adam. We design and build complete landscapes: gardens, sandstone work, retaining walls, stairs, decks, paving, driveways, turf, fencing and wood-fired pizza ovens.

The whole of Sydney's Northern Beaches, including Palm Beach, Avalon Beach, Newport, Mona Vale, Bayview, Church Point, Narrabeen, Collaroy, Cromer, Dee Why, Freshwater, Manly and Seaforth, plus Terrey Hills and Duffys Forest, and the Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby Shire council areas (St Ives, Wahroonga, Pymble, Hornsby and surrounds).

Yes. Quotes and measures are free with no obligation. For landscape projects your quote includes a design and a fixed price, so you know exactly what you're paying before work begins.

Why get three or four different quotes to finish your dream backyard when one team can do it all at a competitive price? We handle everything from excavation and retaining walls to paving, decks, turf and planting, so the trades are coordinated and one team is accountable for the result.

Yes. No job is too big or too small, from a single garden wall or set of steps through to full backyard makeovers, acreage estates and commercial work.

Absolutely. We can work from your plans, our plans, or design one together with you.

We've been proudly serving Sydney's Northern Beaches and beyond for over 15 years. Pat has worked across every aspect of landscape construction and maintenance, from design through to completion.

Wherever possible. We source local sandstone to match your surroundings and recycle stone removed during excavation and demolition, storing it for reuse on future projects.

Yes. Our 1.6 tonne excavator has retractable tracks that fit through a standard 900 mm side gate, and we have larger machines up to 12 tonne for bigger earthmoving jobs.

We build to your local council's guidelines and will tell you when something, such as a taller retaining wall, needs approval or an engineer's design. We also leave sites clean and tidy with respect for council regulations and the environment.

We're open 7 days, 6am to 5pm. Call or text Pat on 0413 199 980, or send an enquiry online any time.

Call or text Pat on 0413 199 980, email p@nblandscapers.com.au, or send the enquiry form on our contact page with a few details and photos of your space. We'll arrange a time to visit, measure up and talk through ideas.

Sandstone and natural stone walls, house and chimney cladding, feature walls, letterbox pillars, entry piers, fireplaces, steps and paving, from small garden walls to large commercial and multi-unit projects.

Yes. Where the stone is sound we recycle rock from your own excavation or demolition. It matches your site perfectly, cuts material costs and keeps waste out of landfill.

Properly built and drained, sandstone walls and cladding last for generations. Sandstone weathers gracefully, and occasional cleaning and sealing keeps it looking its best.

It depends on the height, how close it is to a boundary and how much soil is cut or filled. Low garden walls are often exempt development in NSW, while taller walls usually need approval and an engineer's design. We'll tell you what applies to your site before any work starts.

Treated pine sleeper walls are generally the most economical, followed by block walls. Sandstone costs more up front but lasts far longer and adds real value to your property.

Almost always because of poor drainage or inadequate footings. Water pressure builds up behind the wall and pushes it over. We install ag-line, gravel backfill and weep holes on every wall.

Design is included as part of our free quote process. You receive a design with a fixed-price quote so you know exactly what you're getting before any work starts.

Yes. We regularly build gardens from plans by architects and landscape designers, and we're happy to suggest practical refinements where they help.

Natives such as grass trees, lomandra, westringia and banksias handle coastal winds and sandy soils well. For a tropical look, palms, cordylines and agaves thrive here. We choose plants for your exact aspect, soil and maintenance preferences.

A 750 mm internal diameter oven suits most families and fits two pizzas at a time. A 900 mm oven cooks three or more and is better for regular entertaining. We can scale an oven to any space.

A hand-built firebrick dome holds heat longer and cooks more evenly, the choice of the real enthusiast. Precast refractory ovens are more affordable and heat up faster, which suits smaller spaces and occasional use.

Typically 45 minutes to an hour for pizza temperatures of around 400°C, depending on oven size and construction. Once hot, a firebrick dome retains heat for hours, perfect for roasts and bread afterwards.

Yes, from backyard courtyards through to large commercial pizzeria ovens, all built with commercial-grade refractory materials.

Sandstone and concrete are the most durable and handle heavy foot traffic and weather best. Sleeper steps are a cost-effective option for garden paths. We'll recommend the right material for your slope, drainage and style.

Building rules generally require a handrail or balustrade once stairs or landings reach certain heights. We design stairs to be safe and compliant for your site.

Pavers are thicker and usually laid on a compacted sand bed with sand-swept joints. Tiles are thinner, fixed with adhesive to a screed or slab and grouted, better for wet areas like pool surrounds and bathrooms.

Sandstone, travertine and bluestone are popular because they stay cooler underfoot and can be finished non-slip. Choose a stone rated for salt-water pools and seal it to protect it.

Herringbone at 45° or 90°. The interlocking pattern resists the turning and braking forces of cars far better than straight-line patterns.

We pour driveways at a minimum of 100 mm of steel-reinforced concrete, which resists cracking and carries heavy vehicles. Some sites need thicker slabs or extra reinforcement.

Generally yes. Stamped concrete gives a paved appearance for a fraction of the cost of laying individual pavers, though pavers are easier to repair and add a premium look.

For most Northern Beaches homes, yes. Hardwood is roughly double the cost of treated pine but is harder-wearing, looks beautiful oiled and suits the natural landscape. Treated pine is a sound budget choice, especially if you plan to paint it.

A well-built treated pine deck lasts around 20 years, and hardwood can last longer with regular oiling. Good ventilation and drainage under the deck are key to a long life.

Yes. We build the frame to suit, lay compressed fibre-cement sheet with waterproofing, then tile or lay stone on top for a solid, low-maintenance finish.

Sir Walter buffalo is our go-to. It handles full sun to part shade, copes with dry summers and stays green through winter. For heavy shade or high-traffic areas we'll recommend alternatives.

Spring through early autumn is ideal because warm-season grasses establish quickly. Turf can be laid year-round in Sydney, but it roots more slowly in winter.

For shaded areas, play spaces and busy households, yes. Modern artificial grass looks realistic, needs no mowing or watering and is more affordable than it used to be.

A properly built paling fence using H4 treated pine posts lasts around 20 to 25 years. Painting or staining it extends its life further.

Colorbond needs virtually no maintenance and comes in many colours; timber is more natural-looking and easier to customise. Many clients use Colorbond on side boundaries and timber feature screens where the fence is on show.

Yes. Reinforced, core-filled besser block walls are among the strongest retaining options and are commonly engineered for taller walls and commercial sites.

Absolutely. A block wall makes an ideal structural base for sandstone or other natural stone cladding, which is bonded and mechanically fixed where needed.

Yes. Our 1.6 tonne excavator has retractable tracks that fit through a standard 900 mm side gate, so most tight Northern Beaches backyards are accessible.

Yes. We jackhammer and remove old concrete, paving and walls, then prepare the site for the new work, often recycling sandstone for reuse.

Ask Pat about equipment hire for your project. Availability depends on our schedule.