The quality of Landscape Contractors in Dubai

[Kevin D. Goodson]

Hello,
Needing Information on working as a Landscape Contractor in Dubai. Most of you being Landscape Architects, do you find a need for quality Landscape Contractors there ? Or, are they more than you need. Another question I have is – What about purchasing plant material for jobs ? With all the construction going on there, material has to be very hard to locate. Can you help me with this.
My Wife and I are planning a trip to Dubai in the next couple of weeks to check out for ourselves what’s gong on there. Any Advice ?

Thank you for your time

[Rico Flor]

Hi Kevin.

I’m not the expert on this one, but here are my two fils worth…. What I do observe anyhow is that there is room for a lot of improvement in workmanship (lines might deviate from the horizontal or plumb), as well as in cross-discipline coordination (utility ports and manholes sprouting where you don’t want them at all). The abundance and quality of materials sometimes make up for the flaws, but in the end, it just might not cut it compared to excellent workmanship.

Materials aren’t that hard to find, actually . Dubai had been a magnet for overseas suppliers for so long…

Contracting is big business here such that large outfits exist. Nurseries are also present, the big ones capable of maintaining offshore nurseries in South Africa or elsewhere (I knew one which sources plants from the Philippines). Your tech specs should always specify though that the plant materials are already acclimatized to prevent greenhorn specimens being delivered in the garden. Also with the trend to apply LEED or Green Star rating, you might have to press the contractor hard to supply you the right documents/certification as to their provenance and renewability (farmed).

[Kevin D. Goodson]

Rico,

Excellent workmanship comes with a price ! Do you think there is a market for this kind of workmanship ?

Does large landscape contracts require bonding ?

Thank you, Rico

[Rico Flor]

Hello Kevin.

Considering that clients now want better bangs for their credit-crunched bucks, i would suspect so. The heightened awareness on landscape architecture is helping too. As well as the need to spend wisely to earn LEED points. The preceding six years had Dubai reeling in fast-paced, fast-track projects which sacrificed a measure of quality. I guess the slowdown would have clients think of higher quality now.

As for bonding, I believe the local practice does. As for the required amount, I can’t say. Hopefully the more senior members of the lounge could fill you in on this.

Try also visiting Abu Dhabi where there’s abundant oil to finance infrastructure development. I recommend the One to One – The Village Hotel…small, quaint, new, excellent food and facilities for a boutique hotel. Good luck and enjoy the UAE.

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