Why a dated section is usually more fixable than it first looks
A garden dating from the 1970s or 80s, or the churned-up ground left behind after building work, is usually more fixable than it looks. Without a written plan, the cost feels like guesswork, and half-finished paths and dead planting are the all-too-common result when a contractor is juggling several sites at once.
Rob Figgins prices each element separately, then rebuilds the space around low-maintenance planting, screens, paving, decking and lawn.
One job is completed before the next begins, and Rob is the person you deal with from start to finish.
To arrange a site visit and a free quote, get in touch via the Contact page.
Rob Figgins prices each element separately, then rebuilds the space around low-maintenance planting, screens, paving, decking and lawn.
One job is completed before the next begins, and Rob is the person you deal with from start to finish.
To arrange a site visit and a free quote, get in touch via the Contact page.
Garden Makeovers - Overview:
Garden design Auckland covering full garden renovation of dated or post-build sections: earthworks, paving, decking, screening and low-maintenance planting.
- Clearing, earthworks, hard surfaces, then planting and lawn, in sequence
- Earthworks handled with own machinery sized for narrow side access
- Hardwood decking preferred, with sound existing paving lifted and relaid
- Low-maintenance subtropical, native and palm planting, mulched and generously spaced
- Water features built as rock cascades or fibreglass-moulded statue features
- Consent drawings and council inspections arranged for larger garden renovations
Kensington Landscaping is a landscaping and grounds maintenance business based in Cockle Bay, Auckland, New Zealand, providing garden makeovers, swimming pool landscaping, water features, retaining walls, decks, pergolas, paving, lawns, irrigation and planting for residential and commercial clients throughout east Auckland.
Howick | Half Moon Bay | Cockle Bay | East Auckland | Remuera | Pakuranga | Central Auckland | Meadowbank | St Heilers | Mission Bay
Page: Garden Designers East Auckland | Garden Makeovers Howick, Central Auckland - Last updated: 18th September, 2026
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Garden designers East Auckland homeowners trust for their garden makeovers, with itemised quotes and one project manager from start to finish
- Front, back or whole-property garden makeovers across east Auckland
- Dated 1970s and 80s sections rebuilt as low-maintenance gardens
- Itemised quotes, with Rob coordinating the trades involved from first visit to final tidy-up
Garden designer East Auckland - makeovers throughout east Auckland and central Auckland, including Howick, Dannemora and Whitford
Deciding what stays, then pricing each element
Every makeover is site specific, so it starts with a free visit. Rob walks the section and decides what's worth keeping. Sometimes everything is cleared; other times established trees or sound structures are worth building around, and the redesign suits them.
Existing retaining walls are assessed too; whole properties are handled like single backyard landscaping jobs.
Most call for one of four reasons: the garden is too much work, the house is for sale, they've just bought it, or building work has left churned ground and broken plants.
With a pool, the makeover follows the installation sequence, and pool landscaping starts once the installer finishes.
Existing retaining walls are assessed too; whole properties are handled like single backyard landscaping jobs.
Most call for one of four reasons: the garden is too much work, the house is for sale, they've just bought it, or building work has left churned ground and broken plants.
With a pool, the makeover follows the installation sequence, and pool landscaping starts once the installer finishes.
Itemised quotes and one site at a time
Complete garden makeovers in east and central Auckland typically cost around $20,000–$30,000 for smaller jobs, up to about $300,000 on larger properties. One Whitford garden took roughly a year. Quotes are itemised element by element, so you see every cost before work begins.
Rob remains your single point of contact throughout, coordinating the designer, engineer, concrete placer, electrician and irrigation contractor. Your own tradespeople can be worked in too.
The work follows the same order every time: clearing, earthworks, hard surfaces, then planting, with the crew staying on site until the job is finished. For timber structures, see decks and pergolas.
Rob remains your single point of contact throughout, coordinating the designer, engineer, concrete placer, electrician and irrigation contractor. Your own tradespeople can be worked in too.
The work follows the same order every time: clearing, earthworks, hard surfaces, then planting, with the crew staying on site until the job is finished. For timber structures, see decks and pergolas.
Paving, privacy, planting and lawn finishes
Tired paving is lifted and relaid, or replaced with decking, depending on use. Privacy comes from hedging, trellis, screens, fencing or planting blocking unwanted sightlines. Our machinery, sized for narrow access, handles earthworks on tight sites; steep banks may need a cut track or piles.
Most Auckland gardens need low-maintenance subtropical and native planting, palms especially; cottage gardens, roses and fruit trees too. Species suit your soil, sun and shelter, spaced for mature size, mulched. Water features are rock cascades or fibreglass-moulded statues; no fish ponds. Irrigation is specialist-managed.
Turf, hydroseeding and artificial lawn can be added to finish off surfaces.
Most Auckland gardens need low-maintenance subtropical and native planting, palms especially; cottage gardens, roses and fruit trees too. Species suit your soil, sun and shelter, spaced for mature size, mulched. Water features are rock cascades or fibreglass-moulded statues; no fish ponds. Irrigation is specialist-managed.
Turf, hydroseeding and artificial lawn can be added to finish off surfaces.
A small courtyard or backyard landscaping renovation may take a couple of weeks. A larger garden renovation involving retaining walls, paving, planting and lawn typically runs several weeks, and three-month builds are not unusual.
Hard landscaping drives the cost. Smaller makeovers generally start around $20,000 to $30,000. After a site visit, a free itemised quote sets out retaining walls, paving, decks, drainage, planting and turf separately.
Construction work is not especially season dependent. Planting generally establishes better through autumn and winter, while instant turf tends to settle best in spring or autumn.
Often, yes, where plants are healthy. Root zones are checked before excavating, qualified arborists are brought in for large or protected trees and sound pavers can be relaid.
Plant choice and ground preparation do most of the work, backed by mulched beds that hold moisture and keep weeds down. Monthly or quarterly maintenance visits can be arranged.
Garden Makeovers Summary:
- What: Full and partial garden makeovers covering clearing, earthworks, paving, decking, screens, retaining walls, low-maintenance planting, water features, irrigation, turf and artificial lawn, with itemised quotes from $20,000.
- Where: Garden design Auckland work carried out throughout east Auckland and central Auckland, including Howick, Dannemora and Whitford.
- Who for: Owners of dated 1970s and 80s sections, people preparing a house for sale, new homeowners, and those left with churned ground after building work.