Your Questions Answered

Here are a few questions we are asked regularly. The answers to these questions are as individual as you and your garden but we have tried to give you a guide answer.

I think I know what I want but I just want to check with the designer and then get a quote.

Several clients ask if we can just visit the garden for a consultation and then give a quote for construction. This is something we are happy to do as some gardens and clients don't need a design.

We can help organise your thoughts, clarify the design you have in mind and the materials you would like to use during our consultation. We then pass all this information on to our contractors who will call you direct to quote for the work.

Why do I need a design?

A design is essentially creating the structure of the garden and solving the various logistical problems. This can include what size and shape to make the patio, where to position the path, will a water feature work in the space or where should the BBQ go.

Along with deciding on the hard features or the structure, the placing of plants and deciding which plant would be most suitable can be made. Planting plans are usually created once the hard features or the garden structure has been arranged.

Design plans can range from simple layouts of the various features to specific technical details for the construction of various features. Using accurate scale measurements allows material quantities to be calculated, budgets to be set and ensure features fit the space.

To get an accurate quote from contractors and ensure you get what you wish for, a design is essential.

What will a new garden cost?

It all depends on your requirements and is hard to predict without a design to cost up but there are a few basic rules to follow if you are saving for a new garden.

An average garden (10m square ish) with a simple design can start at around £4000 and can include a new paved area, basic planting and maintenance on existing features such as re-treating fences.

If you budget around 1/4 of the cost for plants and include a 10% contingency for the unexpected such as moving a pipe (not marked on any plans) or adding drainage etc.

As a guide the cost of materials/plants is usually half the overall cost and labour accounts for the other half.

To work out your own guide budget have a look at this Useful Calculation

How long will it take from initial consultation to finished garden?

It depends on the time of year that you make that call, things can happen quickly at the beginning of the year giving you good time to enjoy a new space for the early sunshine. Calling half way through the year or the busiest time (May - July) you may have to wait and will probably miss that summer.

The design process (depending on the option chosen) can take from 2 weeks to over a month. A guide to start and finish timings will be given by your designer at the start of the process.

For the construction side of things weather is a strong deciding factor. In good weather conditions simple designs can take only a week while more complex designs can take a month or so. As a guide contractors and designers usually get booked up until Sept / Oct by June.

So if you want a new garden for the summer a good time to call our designer is during the main planting season (September / October), in January (for an early start) or even book things in with the designer as a special Christmas gift.

Why wait until the summer when you could already be enjoying a new space in Spring!

What does a designer do?

Professional garden designers are trained in design and / or horticulture. They have the ability to turn an ordinary or potentially difficult garden into a relaxing but stimulating environment.

Designers combine balanced proportions, carefully chosen colours and focal points as well as kep plants. All of these are designed in keeping with the house, surrounding environment and the clients requirements.

During your consultation the designer will be holding several thoughts in their heads such as your ideas, the colour scheme, direction of sun light, size of the space, style of the house etc to ensure all features harmonise with each other.

Why should my designer project coordinate during the build?

A designer can draw up the plan and then coordinate the professionals required to implement the plan. This is especially good if you do not want to coordinate trades people yourself but it is more expensive than just purchasing the plan. A quote from your designer is usually supplied upon request and is usually between 10-15% of the build cost.

The garden designer will take responsibility for ensuring that the work is carried out as per the design so that you get the garden that you expected. The contractors are still responsible for the overall long term build quality but your designer will ensure the materials and features are created as the design states.

They are often responsible for sourcing the features, making on site decisions if changes need to be made and a useful negotiator between yourselves (the client) and the contractors.