Material sourcing guide

Landscape and external works, from planting to infrastructure.

Plan outdoor materials as connected packages: planting and growing media, irrigation and drainage, paving and site furnishings. Share the landscape schedule and delivery sequence so living materials and hardscape arrive when the site is ready.

Outdoor landscaping with planting beds, turf, paving, seating and irrigation context.
Outdoor landscaping with planting beds, turf, paving, seating and irrigation context.
01 / Materials & uses

Start with the right material groups.

Paving and infrastructure

For paths, courtyards and access routes, group pavers, kerbs, drainage, access covers and geosynthetics by the project detail. Keep surface materials and below-ground layers distinct.

Outdoor structures and furnishings

Coordinate decking, fences, site gates and furniture with their fixing and foundation interfaces. Describe each location rather than requesting a single generic outdoor package.

Planting and irrigation

For planted areas and lawns, list plants, soil, growing media, mulch, turf and irrigation components. Link plant sizes and delivery phases to the landscape schedule.

02 / Package boundaries

A material price is only part of the package.

Your material schedule
01Paving and infrastructure
02Outdoor structures and furnishings
03Planting and irrigation

One schedule, clearly separated scopes. This is a request outline, not an installation drawing.

Included materials

Separate hardscape, planting and irrigation items. Record the plant schedule alongside measured areas and linear items.

Connections & interfaces

Clarify kerb transitions, drain outlets, deck supports, furniture anchors and irrigation connections between packages.

Confirm separately

Confirm excavation, planting, establishment care, unloading and storage individually. Living-material care and installation are not implied by supply.

03 / A comparable request

Six details that make offers clearer.

Site zone and use
Name the landscape area and intended use. Attach the relevant setting-out or planting plan revision.
Material or species
Give the specified paving/deck material or plant species and approved alternatives; avoid a colour-only description.
Sizes and formats
For plants state container/rootball and required size; for paving and furniture state product dimensions.
Quantities and units
Separate pieces, square metres, linear metres and growing-media volume so allowances are visible.
Interfaces and accessories
List edging, fixings, drainage connections and irrigation components against the appropriate package.
Delivery and care
Agree phased delivery, handling and temporary storage. State who is responsible for care before planting.
Illustrative request lines
Item & descriptionQuantity
L-01Shrubs for bed A; species, container size and delivery phase per planting schedule.80 pcs
L-02Paving for path B; format per drawing. Kerbs and drainage measured separately.240

Example quantities only; no live prices or supplier offers. Use your project schedule for final values and ask suppliers to list deviations.

04 / Compare the whole offer

Three checks before you decide.

Equivalent living materials

Compare species, plant size and root/container condition, not just the number of plants.

Surface versus full assembly

Check whether bedding, edging, fixings and drainage accessories sit inside or outside the quoted area.

Delivery and handover

Compare arrival sequence, handling responsibilities and agreed care arrangements for plants and turf.

05 / Practical questions

Details worth clarifying early.

Are plants and irrigation included in this category?

Yes. Planting materials, growing media, turf and landscape irrigation belong alongside external works. Keep each group separate in the request.

Should everything arrive on the same day?

Set delivery dates around the construction and planting sequence. Discuss handling and initial care with the supplier; do not assume they are included.

How should soil and mulch quantities be compared?

Use the same stated unit and product description, including delivery format. Ask suppliers to explain their quantity basis rather than assuming bags and bulk volumes are equivalent.

07 / Your next step

Turn your material schedule into a request.

Create a Matravo account to prepare your request. For account or sourcing-flow questions, visit support.