Design

A well-designed, successful garden can be truly uplifting — not just for people, but for the wildlife using it and for the architecture it complements.

Whatever the size of the garden, its success always flows from the client’s enthusiasm and their trust in the design process. From this comes a garden with the right mood and function, one that blends seamlessly with the client’s lifestyle.

We need to plan within our gardens for greater biodiversity and resilient planting to work with our changing climate. Together with recycling and sourcing of sustainable products, we will aim to improve the value of our garden spaces for both people and wildlife.

Initial Consultation

First we meet so that I can introduce myself, show you examples of my work and get an understanding of your site and requirements. At this meeting, I will also advise on the garden’s potential and limitations and will then follow up with a design brief and fee quotation.

A consultation visit can, however, cover more specific topics — for example, planting ideas or advice on landscape material selection, rather than a full redesign service.

Design Fees

There is a fee for the initial meeting and a fixed fee for the initial preparation of an outline design and survey if required.

Fees for a full design service, seeing the scheme to completion, are calculated on a percentage of the total construction cost based on between 10%–15%, or an hourly rate as appropriate.

Site Survey

The first stage of any garden design project is the site survey. With smaller sites, I usually do this myself, while larger or more complex sites may need the services of a professional surveyor. However, there may already be a detailed site survey in place for some projects — new builds, for example — and if you have one, I can work with that as long as it’s accurate.

Outline Plan

The survey and design brief are brought together in the outline plan which represents my proposal for your garden. It shows the garden’s layout, all materials proposed, planting areas and types together with features such as pergolas, gazebos, water features, and other decorative elements as required. It is accompanied by supporting visuals.

It’s at this stage in the process that alterations and additions are made to the proposal, and this document then becomes the master plan for all the subsequent design work.

Layout Plan

For your garden to be accurately priced and built by a contractor, I create a layout plan, which includes further design detail. I’ll add information about water features, hard surfaces, timber structures, and other any elements that need building, as well as the dimensions and indications of major structural planting.

Construction Details

To enable the contractor to price and build a feature — for example, a pergola, water garden, entrance gateways, or walling — construction details will be needed.

Planting Plan

One of the most important parts of the design detail for your garden is the planting. With larger schemes, it may be necessary to create an outline presentation of the planting proposals but generally we will agree the plan following discussions on style, maintenance and site environment.

Project Costing

Once all these elements have been brought together, the design elements of the project can be fully costed, and once we have agreed a price we can move to the next stage — Building Your Garden.

Build

Most clients retain me to manage their garden project, from inception to completion.

Throughout the process, I will regularly liaise with you and your contractors to ensure that the garden design is completed as planned and to budget. My project management fees are charged at a percentage of the overall contract or hourly.

Establishment

Designing your garden is much more a process than a one-off project with a defined end.

To get the most from your new design, you need to take a long-term view and factor in what you’ll need to do to establishing and maintaining your garden as it matures season by season, year by year.

I can draw up a detailed maintenance plan for you, laying out a suggested month-by-month programme of work, and I can also schedule occasional visits — many clients see me on an annual or bi-annual basis — during which we can discuss any issues you have and I can advise on how best to proceed so that you continue to get the very best from your garden.

3D Visual