Idea generation entrance area

Hello everyone,

this year we want to tackle our entrance area. Attached is a picture of the current condition. The red line roughly marks the boundary. To the left of the marking, there is a gravel road that needs to be contained.

Since our new building has cost a bit more money than planned, we have to watch the budget. Unfortunately, we don’t like planting rings or L-stones. We thought maybe about a wall made of natural stone or gabions? The area to the front door should be paved. Do we absolutely need a platform in front of the front door (wooden frame)?
Another point is the issue of drainage. We are the last house on the street at the end of a slope, so during rain all the water from the street seeps around our house. So there would need to be a drainage channel in front of the wall towards the street?
Who would generally be the right contact person for such a project? Maybe the landscape gardener?

Hello,

I get stomachache when I see how the water can run down the mountain and your house practically "invites" the water

Who would basically be the right contact person for such a project? Already the landscape gardener?

Yes. You need a plan, especially because of the water. You also have your main entrance there and basement light wells that should be raised as high as possible so that nothing runs in when the water comes.
The problem is not normal rain, but heavy rainfalls.

Wall made of natural stone or gabions?

Unfortunately more expensive than concrete blocks. Gabions are really a matter of taste, I find them terrible and expensive (if the steel thickness is right).

we have to watch the budget.

So, the foundations and gutters remain the same in manufacturing costs; for gutters, you can take the cheapest version, they usually also have to be connected to the sewer.

If it is not supposed to be a sloped retaining wall but a vertical one: build a wall out of concrete formwork blocks, place capping slabs (concrete or natural stone) on top, and plaster the wall to match the house.

You can also make a nice wall yourself from concrete wall kits (e.g. Birkenmeier Bi Muro), which is cheaper than a natural stone wall that is glued. Then you could install a gutter between the street and your property and the top edge of the wall serves as the barrier. However, there is still the sidewalk to the house.

Where is your parking lot? Below the house? If so, would it be conceivable to lead the access path to the front door from there and completely wall up the street side?

Yes, a landscape gardener. He should also suggest what to do with the rainwater.

We were maybe thinking of a wall made of natural stone or gabions?

And I thought you had to watch the budget?!

The area in front of the front door is supposed to be paved. Do we absolutely need a platform (wooden frame) in front of the front door?

I would take the ugly paving stones and plant them with evergreen (evergreen creeping plants). In three years nobody will see those things anymore. They also come in anthracite and rectangular – whatever.
The saved money I would invest in a nice platform – or in nicer paving.

Watch the budget and natural stone wall contradict each other. Even a concrete wall with drainage costs quite a bit over that length. We might need one in the driveway measuring 8m in length and 0.8m in height, and we were quoted 5k. Natural stone is double that... And on top of that comes the path and the entrance platform.

Maybe it's a bit cheaper for you and "watching the budget" is subjective, but to me, it doesn't look like an affordable solution right now.

How big is the overall height difference?

In any case, for you, only a garden landscaper would be suitable for the drainage issue. In heavy rain, it looks as if everything would run into your light well and stand by the house. And especially with wood, that would be too risky for me.

Our house has now been standing for about 2 years including heavy rain. The main water is already diverted past the house through the compacted gravel path but is of course still currently a risk. The garage is practically exactly where the photo was taken. The height difference is probably about 0.50 cm on average, as it still needs to be filled. I will take a look at the proposed alternatives, although I believe the planting stones are out of the question. However, I also did not expect to spend so much money on a concrete wall. In our circle of acquaintances, we actually have many skilled construction helpers. What is missing is the correct planning. Are there also landscape gardeners who, for example, only do the planning and execution for a fee?

. Are there also landscape gardeners who, for example, only do the planning execution for a fee?

Either a landscape gardener or a landscape architect.