Lanning Landscapes
Customers specifically praise Mark for improving on their original brief — and delivering paving jobs others considered too difficult.
The pattern that stands out most is Mark's willingness to take on jobs other landscapers decline: non-compliant staircases, severely sloping blocks, drainage hidden under unsuspected concrete, and paving repairs in heavy rain. Pricing is described as reasonable and on-budget by multiple reviewers, and several mention they've used him on repeat occasions across different projects — a practical signal that the experience holds up beyond the first job. For larger or more complex outdoor transformations on the Northern Beaches, he's worth planning ahead for, as reviewers note he's in demand and worth the wait.
Their work
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (32 total)
What they help with
Based on what their customers hired them for
Credentials & background
Sourced from 5 public records so you don't have to look them up yourself
About Lanning Landscapes
Mark Lanning is the sole operator behind Lanning Landscapes, frequently working alongside his apprentice Noah — Mark brings the design vision and precision craftsmanship, while Noah is consistently praised for his work ethic and positive attitude on multi-day jobs. With roughly 27 years in the trade, Mark's core speciality is paving — travertine, sandstone, limestone, brick, and cobblestone — including technically demanding work like re-grading existing pavers, building non-compliant stair corrections, and creating multi-level entertaining areas on sloping or awkward blocks. He also takes on retaining walls, garden bed construction, turfing (including Sir Walter buffalo), timber decking, drainage solutions, and full garden renovations, making him a go-to for complete outdoor transformations rather than single-trade fixes. Reviewers repeatedly call out his creativity as a differentiator — he regularly improves on the homeowner's original brief rather than just executing instructions — and several mention he genuinely builds for longevity, avoiding shortcuts that would require repairs later. He suits homeowners on Sydney's Northern Beaches who have a tricky or complicated outdoor space, want a single experienced operator managing the whole job, and are happy to wait for availability rather than needing someone this week.
Best for: complex paving on sloping or awkward blocks, complete front-and-back garden transformations, retaining wall and multi-level entertaining area builds, and homeowners who want a single experienced operator managing the full scope.
Location
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Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about Lanning Landscapes
What types of paving does Mark Lanning specialise in?+
Reviews mention Mark working with travertine, sandstone, limestone, brick pavers, and cobblestone across a wide range of projects — from small courtyard fixes to full driveway and entertaining area installations. He is specifically praised for technically demanding paving work, including re-grading existing pavers, correcting non-compliant steps, and laying on uneven or sloping ground. Several customers note he selects and cuts individual stones carefully for fit, colour, and shape rather than taking a generic approach. If your job involves tricky levels or unusual materials, that appears to be where he is most in his element.
Does Lanning Landscapes do full garden renovations, or just paving?+
Mark handles full outdoor transformations, not just paving. Reviewed projects include retaining wall construction, garden bed creation, Sir Walter buffalo turfing, Merbau timber decking, new fencing, staircases, drainage installation, and planting. Several reviewers engaged him for combined scopes — for example, paving, turfing, and retaining wall work in a single project — which suggests he can coordinate a complete outdoor renovation rather than requiring multiple separate trades. He frequently works alongside his apprentice Noah on larger multi-day jobs.
What do customers say about Mark's pricing?+
Multiple reviewers describe his pricing as reasonable or great value, with one specifically mentioning "very reasonable price" for a travertine paving job and another praising "great value for money" on a retaining wall project done in difficult weather conditions. No reviews mention cost blowouts or unexpected charges, and several customers note he completes work within the predicted timeframe and budget. One long-term repeat customer mentions he sometimes finds solutions that are easier and more affordable than the original scope — suggesting he doesn't look to upsell unnecessarily.
How far in advance do I need to book Mark Lanning?+
Reviews don't include specific booking lead times, but multiple customers note he is busy and in high demand — one reviewer explicitly says "Mark is a busy landscaper, and is well worth the wait." This suggests you should expect to plan ahead rather than getting a same-week start, particularly for larger projects. It's worth contacting him early to discuss your timeline, especially if you have a fixed deadline like a renovation handover or an event.
Does Lanning Landscapes work on commercial properties as well as homes?+
Primarily residential, but at least one review comes from a church facility — a reviewer from C3 SYD notes Mark re-graded pavers at their church to eliminate a trip hazard near concertina doors, and described the work as professional and excellent. The bulk of the 32 reviews are from homeowners on Sydney's Northern Beaches undertaking residential renovations. If you have a small commercial or community facility project, it's worth enquiring directly, as the commercial work reviewed was completed to the same standard as his residential jobs.