THE DESIGN PROCESS

These are the typical sequential stages involved in creating and implementing a garden design.

THE BRIEF

INITIAL CONSULTATION: I will meet you on site for 1-2 hours so we can ask and answer questions, discuss ideas and opportunities for enhancing the garden, so understand your desired garden style and functional needs for the garden.

DOCUMENTATION: I will follow up with short questionnaire and then prepare a written brief and fee proposal, which will include a summary of the work you would like me to do for you and the cost to you for my time.

SITE SURVEY: Once we have agreed the brief I will carry out a detailed survey and analysis of your garden, as well as a comprehensive photographic survey.

If the garden is particularly large or complex, this will have to be undertaken by professional land surveyors. I will arrange for a quote for you.

DEVELOPING THE DESIGN

Based on the information gathered from our discussions and site survey I will develop initial design ideas, illustrated with explanatory visuals in 3D, which we’ll discuss, revise and refine, leading to a final design drawn on plan.

I will guide you as we go along on the implications of decisions on the design and budget.

DEVELOPING THE DETAIL

Once the concept design has been finalised, this will be translated into a Masterplan, showing the layout in detail, along with dimensions and levels and any technical drawings needed to describe the construction of specific built elements, like bespoke pergolas, water features etc.

DESIGNING THE PLANTING

This includes developing planting plans and schedules with quantities and sizes to create the desired atmosphere and mood for each area of the garden, taking into account any preferences for colour and likes/dislikes of particular plants. I will then provide an estimate for supplying the plants and also for planting them if this is required.

FINDING A CONTRACTOR

You may already know someone whom you trust to build your new garden at a good price, or I can recommend a contractor I’ve worked with.

Where the construction budget is large, or the project is not straightforward, you will need to obtain two to three quotes through a competitive tender process, which I can manage for you. This will help to ensure the chosen landscape contractor has the skills and workmanship to build the garden and will do so for a competitive price.

I will produce a detailed specification and tender documents so that quotes are on a 'like for like' basis, reviewing the submissions and recommending the best one to you.

MONITORING THE BUILD

I will make site visits at appropriate stages of the build, to ensure it is going to plan and will be in contact with the contractor to answer their queries or resolve issues.