Frequently Asked Questions

• What type of work do you perform?
  All of our work is performed in-house and we do not make use of sub-contractors. This ensures that costs are kept to a minumum while the quality of our work is not compromised. We undertake the following types of work:
  
  
  • Cladding (natural tile, ceramic tile, terracotta, sandstone etc.)
  • Custom-designed water features and ponds, plunge pools, swimming pools, jacuzzis
  • Custom-designed woodwork
  • Decking - composite decking and natural wood
  • Designer patios
  • Garden, water feature and patio design
  • Garden edging (cobbles, steel etc.)
  • Hardscaping
  • Irrigation systems - manual and automated
  • Landscaping
  • Plant supply and planting
  • Specialised construction
    
    
• In which geographic regions do you undertake work?
  Although we are based in the West Rand in Gauteng, we work anywhere!
  
  We have clients throughout the country and also service a number of clients in countries outside of South Africa, including Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania and Zambia.
  
  
• Is it really necessary to draw a design of the garden? Can't you just have a look at my property and give me a quote?
  It's a lot like asking a builder to quote you on building your house without first giving him a set of plans.
  
  Professional landscape design, like any creative process, is time-consuming and by definition requires a number of steps that need to be followed in order to provide a client with a meaningful quotation, such as:
  • obtrain a budget figure from the client
  • assess the area where the new garden is to be installed
  • understand the needs, likes and dislikes of the client
  • create a design based on the above requirements and considerations
  • generate a quotation based on the type and quantity of plants and other landscape elements used in the design

• Can you provide us with a quotation if we already have a design?
  Yes, we most certainly can, provided that your design contains all the necessary measurements and information, such as an approximate budget, the slope of the land, underground pipes and cables, site access, storage areas etc.
  
  If you already have a design, we can provide you with a competitive quotation for the plant supply and / or complete garden installation.
  
  
• Why do you charge a design fee? Can't you just give me some ideas for my garden?
  We generate our livelihood from our creativity, years of experience and our reputation that extends well beyond the borders of our country.
  
  Being a professional landscaping company, we take our projects seriously and invest many thousands of rands every year upgrading to the latest industry-leading CAD software, design and surveying equipment in order to be at the cutting edge of the technology that is applicable to our industry.
  
  We create professional designs meticulously drawn to scale and which conform to our clients' requirements. Of course, there are different horses for different courses and there are many landscapers who will provide a design at no cost (typically a sketch that is not drawn to scale).
  
  South African residential clients with gardens under 1,000m2 - Please remember that the design fee is not lost... it is credited back to you in full if you purchase R6,000 or more worth of plants from us or if you accept our full quotation.
  
  Please click here to find out more about our design fees.
  
  
• I've seen many landscapers jot down sketches on a notepad. Why do you make use of expensive design software?
  There are a number of reasons why a detailed CAD design is the better way to go:
• The plants and other items used in the CAD design are defined and quantified so that you as the client, know exactly how many of each type and size of plants are going to be supplied in order to complete your garden (ie. You know what you are buying)
• Scale drawings help to ensure correct plant quantities and plant spacing. This prevents over and under-populated plant beds once the job has been completed (ie. You know that you are buying as far as possible the correct quantities of materials)
• The final product is far easier to accurately envisage than it would be if your only source of reference was simply an abstract free-hand sketch

• Are your jobs supervised or do you simply drop off staff in the morning and collect them again in the afternoon?
  All of our jobs are properly supervised by experienced landscape project managers. This ensures not only that the integrity of the design remains intact, but also that a high standard of work and attention to detail are maintained.
  
  At the end of the working day, the project managers report back to our managing director so that progress can be monitored and problems can be dealt with immediately.
  
  
• We want to install the garden ourselves... can we make use of your services for the design only?
  Yes, we can design your garden and also supply you with plants and other materials at competitive prices - The same R2,000 design fee applies.
  
  South African residential clients - Remember, your design fee of R2,000 is credited back to you in full as soon as you spend R6,000 or more with us, regardless of who installs the garden.

• I have a townhouse garden, do you landscape small gardens?
  Yes we do. We undertake landscaping projects that cost from just a few thousand rand to projects running into many hundreds of thousands of rands.
  
  Our clients range from homeowners to massive residential housing estates and sectional title complexes.
  
  We endeavour to provide you with a design that suits your needs as well as your budget.

• There are many fly-by-night operators offering landscaping services. How do I know that you are indeed a reputable company?
  As in almost any industry, we are sorry to say that there are also unscrupulous and unprofessional operators in the green industry. By choosing The Friendly Plant, peace of mind is part of the package:
  • We are a member of The Evergreen Group, one of the biggest players in the green industry in South Africa
  • We operate from a farm, which is owned by our group
  • We have a proven track record
  • Our work has been featured in numerous magazines and television programmes over the years
  • We can provide you with a list of clients who can give you the assurance that you are looking for