FAQs & garden resources
If you’re trusting someone else with your lawns and gardens, it’s natural to have questions.
This page brings together the most common things people ask us about ongoing maintenance, garden upgrades and how we work with different types of properties.
General FAQs
What types of properties do you look after?
We focus on residential homes, holiday rentals and short-stay accommodation, body corporates, strata complexes and small commercial sites around Noosa region.
Do you only do ongoing maintenance, or one-off jobs as well?
Ongoing lawn and garden maintenance is our core work. We’re happy to help with one-off tidy-ups, garden improvements and makeovers. If you only need a single quick cut with no care for plant health or long-term results, we’re probably not the best fit.
How does your quote process work?
We start with an on-site visit. We walk through the garden with you (or your representative), discuss what’s important, look at any problem areas and then provide a clear quote. That usually includes any initial tidy-up or upgrade work plus an ongoing maintenance plan with recommended visit frequency.
Are you insured and qualified?
Yes. Green Thumb Scapes is fully insured, and Tom is a qualified horticulturist with years of hands-on experience in Noosa’s climate and coastal conditions. That means your property, your plants and your neighbours are all cared for properly.
What areas do you service?
We focus on Noosa and the surrounding suburbs — Noosa Heads, Noosaville, Sunshine Beach, Sunrise Beach, Tewantin, Doonan, Tinbeerwah, Marcus Beach, Castaways Beach, Peregian Beach, Peregian Springs, Coolum, Cooroibah and nearby areas. If you’re just outside this zone, we are happy to evaluate your request and will let you know if we are able to accommodate your job.
Do I need to be on site when you visit?
Not necessarily. Many of our clients are at work, travelling or managing properties remotely. As long as we have safe access and clear instructions for gates, garages or key safes, we can carry out the work and keep you updated with notes or photos where needed.
Do you consider the dangers of traditional pesticides/herbicides and other chemicals used for health and the environment?
Yes – environmental and health impacts are very important to us as a family business. We want to ensure your yard is safe for your children and pets. We use organic products where possible in place of traditional pesticides and fungicides. We also use holistic gardening practices that focus on improving soil health so your garden is more resilient and less vulnerable to disease/pests and requires less chemicals in the long-term.
What happens if something isn’t right after a visit?
If something has been missed or you’re not happy with how an area looks, please get in touch. Part of our service model is putting things right quickly and guaranteeing your satisfaction. We’d rather know and fix it than leave you quietly disappointed.
Holiday rental & short-stay FAQs
Can you coordinate visits with guest changeovers?
Yes. Changeover timing is a key part of our planning for holiday rentals. We’ll discuss your booking patterns, peak and off-peak periods and any specific days that are sensitive, then build our runs around those so gardens are guest-ready when they need to be.
How do you handle access and keys for holiday homes?
We work with your existing key safes, lockboxes or access arrangements. During onboarding we record access instructions securely for each property, including any alarms or gates, so we’re not relying on last-minute messages before every visit.
Can you manage multiple properties for one agency or owner?
Yes. Several of our clients manage a portfolio of holiday homes. We group properties into sensible runs and maintain consistent standards across all of them, so you’re dealing with one organised garden partner, not a patchwork of different operators.
Do you provide photos or notes for owners who live interstate or overseas?
We can supply brief notes and photo updates where needed. Many agencies use these images to reassure owners, support their own reporting and show that gardens are being kept to the standard they’re paying for.
What happens if weather or access issues disrupt a visit?
If heavy rain, severe weather or access issues mean we can’t complete a scheduled visit, we’ll let you know and agree a revised plan. You won’t be left wondering whether the gardens have been done before guests arrive.
Body corporate & commercial FAQs
Can you work under a formal scope of works?
Yes – in fact, we prefer it. We can work with an existing scope or help you create one that clearly sets out what’s included, how often we attend and any seasonal variations. This makes committee discussions and reporting much easier.
How do you handle WHS and insurance requirements?
We are fully insured and operate with appropriate safety practices for residential and light commercial sites. If your scheme or building has specific induction, documentation or PPE requirements, we’ll work with you to ensure those are met before regular visits commence.
Will we always have the same people on site?
Our aim is to provide continuity so you’re not continually re-explaining the property. We use site-specific checklists so that, if team members change over time, the standard of work remains consistent and key areas aren’t missed.
Can you provide reports or input for committee meetings?
We can provide written notes and photos highlighting any issues, improvements or recommended works. Where practical, we’re also happy to attend occasional on-site walk-throughs with committee members or managers to review the grounds.
How is pricing structured for complexes and commercial sites?
Pricing is based on site size, complexity, access and visit frequency. After an initial walk-through, we provide a clear proposal outlining the investment for both any reset work and ongoing maintenance, so committees and owners know exactly what they’re approving.
Residential lawn & garden FAQs
How often do you recommend visiting a residential garden?
Most homes are best served by fortnightly or monthly visits. Factors include property size, garden style, shade and sun, and how particular you are about presentation. We’ll recommend a frequency after seeing your garden and discussing your preferences, and adjust with you if things change.
Do you bring your own equipment and remove green waste?
Yes. We bring all tools and equipment required for your garden work. Green waste removal is normally included as part of your plan; if a specific project generates an unusually large amount, we’ll discuss options with you before we start.
Can I be flexible about what gets done each visit?
There’s always flexibility based on your priorities – some visits are more lawn-focused, others prioritise hedges or beds, depending on the season. We work from a clear plan so the whole garden gets attention over time, and you’re welcome to flag priorities in advance if something special is coming up.
How do you handle gates, pets and access?
We simply ask that you make us aware of any pets and how you’d like us to manage gates and access. We’re used to working around dogs and family routines and will treat your property with care and respect.
What if my garden is in a bad way to start with?
That’s common. We usually recommend an initial tidy-up or “reset” visit to get everything back to a baseline standard, then move into regular maintenance. You’ll receive a clear quote for that upfront so there are no surprises.
Garden makeover & development FAQs
Do I need a full landscape design for you to help?
No. Our development and makeover work is focused on practical improvements to existing gardens – reshaping beds, adjusting planting, applying mulch and improving presentation. If you need major structural changes or a full redesign, we can let you know and suggest the right next step.
Can you work in stages to suit our budget?
Yes. Many clients prefer to tackle high-impact areas first – such as the front for street appeal, or the main outdoor living area – and then move on to other parts of the garden later. We can structure the plan so each stage stands alone but also contributes to the bigger picture.
Who supplies plants and materials?
We can source all plants and materials, or work with specific plants you’d like to include if they’re suitable for Noosa’s conditions. Our recommendations prioritise long-term health and manageable maintenance rather than just an impressive “after” photo on day one.
Will you look after the garden after the makeover?
We strongly recommend ongoing maintenance after a makeover so new plantings establish well and the garden continues to improve. We’ll include an option for regular care with your makeover quote so you can see what that looks like in practice.
Still have questions? lets talk through your property.
No pressure – just practical guidance and a clear path forward. Call us for a chat or request an obligation-free quote today.