Why it’s important to plan the landscaping for your new Carlisle home as early as possible.

To safeguard your home and maintain your 25-year structural warranty with Carlisle, the following steps must be completed:   

• All landscaping, including driveways, perimeter paths and paving, must be completed within 90 days of handover.
  
• Concrete paving must be installed around the entire perimeter of your home
  This includes porches, alfresco areas, around your home’s entire perimeter, and around any brick columns.
• Driveway grading must be considered when installing your driveway.
  Wherever possible, your driveway should slope away from the garage door to direct water away from your home. If the driveway gradient falls towards the garage, a strip drain must be installed across the full width of the garage opening and connected to the stormwater system by a licensed plumber.

• The ground underneath the paving must be compacted as per our guidelines.
  Both the land and the paving must fall away from your home at a minimum of 50mm over one metre.

• Paving needs to be installed as per our guidelines under hot water units, water tanks and air conditioner condenser units.
  Under these units all paving must remain level and then slope away to achieve the 50mm fall as per above.

• Expansion joints and paving
  Wherever paving or concrete meets the house or rigid structures like downpipes, AbelFlex foam must be fitted, and caulking must be applied over the AbelFlex after paving is complete. This protects against water penetration into the foundation and helps manage soil expansion.

• Agricultural drains must be installed where a site excavation requires a retaining wall.
  Only qualified plumbers can install this drain, and they must be connected to the stormwater system. Silt pits, a small drainage pit designed to capture and trap debris, silt and sediment, must be installed where necessary and remain exposed for ongoing maintenance – not cut down or buried below the surface. This helps prevent blockages in the stormwater system.

• All plumbing inspection shafts, including stormwater and sewer – must remain uncovered and accessible at ground level – in line with building code requirements.
• Where paving meets the height of any added decking, a drain must be installed below the decking.
  This drain must be connected to the stormwater system by a qualified plumber. This prevents rainwater building up beneath the decked areas.
• Consistent landscaping around the perimeter of your home is also important.
  Avoid having a heavily concreted side of the house with soft landscaping like garden beds on the other side – as this creates inconsistent moisture conditions that can place uneven pressure on your slab.

• Sprinkler systems should be installed away from the foundations of the house.
  Installing these systems away from the house, with regular checks for leaks or overwatering, will help prevent soil instability around your slab.

• Ensure that all works are carried out by suitable trades, including a professional landscaper and a qualified plumber
  

Frank adds, “It’s critical that customers and their contractors don’t cut down inspection shafts or bury silt pits during landscaping or paving — we see this happen too often and it can cause major compliance and maintenance issues later on.”

Special requirements for decking and paving

“If you’re installing any decking that is at the same height as your paving – typically in alfresco or porch areas – it’s crucial to ensure proper drainage underneath,” explains Frank.

A drain must be installed underneath the decking and connected to the stormwater system by a qualified plumber. “Without this drainage, water can pool up under the decked area, potentially affecting the moisture conditions, with the risk of causing damage to both the slab and foundations of your home.

Protecting your slab and foundations

Good landscaping practices protect the long-term stability of your home:

• Keep garden beds, grass areas and decorative features away from the house slab.
• Ensure weepholes remain unobstructed.
• Maintain consistent landscaping around your home to avoid uneven moisture conditions.
• Plant trees and shrubs thoughtfully - trees must be planted at a safe distance from the house to prevent root damage, and root barriers should be installed where necessary.
• Monitor nearby irrigation systems (yours and your neighbours’) to avoid creating excess moisture near your foundation.

Proper maintenance of these elements helps prevent slab movement and soil expansion.

Planning for a pool

If you are planning to include a swimming pool as part of your new home build – either now or in the future – it’s important to raise this with Carlisle before signing your pre-contract agreement. This is essential in ensuring your home’s design, including slab engineering, stormwater connections and surrounding landscaping can accommodate your future pool.

If you are considering the addition of a pool, you’ll need to provide:

• The pool company’s details
• Full pool dimensions, drawings and engineering
• A site plan showing the pool’s location and equipment placement including pump, filtration, electrical, and gas requirements if applicable.

A Build Safe-Certified pool platform covering the pool area will also need to be installed during construction for safety purposes. Ensuring Carlisle has pool plans as early as possible means any structural adjustments can be made at the right time – avoiding expensive complications down the track.

Other important structural protection measures

In addition to landscaping, there are a few more requirements you should be aware of:

• Fixings and attachments
  You must not attach pergolas, shade sails, basketball hoops, or other structures directly to external cladding, brickwork or Hebel.
• Waterproofing checks
  Regularly check external taps and your hot water service for leaks that could affect the slab.
• Professional guidance
  Always consult qualified landscapers and licensed plumbers for all landscaping and drainage works.

Always refer to your Carlisle Home Care Guide, your Warranty and Maintenance documentation, and CSIRO and VBA guidelines for full details - all available through Carlisle Connect.

When should you engage a landscaper or make plans for your landscaping?

It is strongly recommended that you begin discussions with your landscaper and schedule your plans during the frame stage of your build.

By locking in your landscaping plans early, you can ensure that your driveway, perimeter paths, gardens and lawns are completed within the 90 days following handover.

Early planning also allows for proper consideration of drainage, retaining walls, site levels and stormwater connections before any hard landscaping is commenced.

Starting a Pinterest board or mood board for your landscaping at the same time as your internal and external home selections, can help you pull together the vision or style you’d like for your outdoor areas. It helps to have these discussions and make these plans early – so you’re ready to lock things in when you reach frame stage.

Common landscaping mistakes to avoid

Frank highlights several issues commonly seen when new home landscaping is rushed or poorly planned:

• Delaying landscaping past 90 days post-handover, voids your warranty coverage.
• Failing to compact the ground appropriately or achieve the correct paving falls.
• Failing to install Abelflex and caulking to the junctions between the land and the structure.
• Covering up weepholes, inspection shafts or silt pits.
• No drainage under decking areas.
• Inconsistent landscaping around the perimeter of the home.
• Overwatering garden beds adjacent to the home.
• Failing to install compliant agricultural drains behind retaining walls.
• Failing to disclose pool plans early enough.

“These are simple things that make a big difference, and if done properly – will avoid major headaches down the track,” Frank explains.

What happens after handover?

Once your landscaping and paving are complete, you will need to upload photos through Carlisle Connect that show that your landscaping has been completed in adherence with Carlisle’s guidelines and requirements. This includes: 

• Front façade
• Both sides of the home
• Rear view
• Concrete paving around the entire perimeter
• Any alfresco or decking areas

Meeting these requirements will maintain your eligibility for Carlisle’s 25-year structural warranty.

Frank’s top tips for landscaping success

Here’s Frank’s checklist for a smooth and compliant landscaping process:

• Engage qualified landscaping contractors that are familiar with structural warranty requirements as early in your build as possible.
• Compact soil thoroughly before installing concrete or paving.
• Maintain a minimum fall of 50mm over 1 metre away from the house perimeter.
• Keep all silt pits and inspection shafts accessible at ground level, with all silt pits properly connected to the stormwater system.
• Install drainage under decking when level with paving.
• Avoid planting trees and plants too close to the house to prevent root issues.
• Maintain clearance around the home’s weepholes.
• Locate sprinkler systems away from the home.
• Complete all landscaping, driveways, and paving within 90 days of handover.
• Take clear photos of all external sides of your home and upload to Carlisle Connect after completion.
  
  
  

Ready to start planning?

Completing your landscaping to Carlisle’s standards is an essential final step in protecting your beautiful new home – ensuring it remains strong, safe, and structurally sound for years to come.

For personalised advice or assistance with landscaping planning, please contact your Carlisle Client Liaison Executive - we’re always here to help.