A Garden Designer will provide the experience and technical knowledge needed to focus your ideas and allow you to get the most from your garden. Professionally drawn garden plans can significantly improve your chances of creating a functional and attractive garden. A designer will advise you on what will really work in your garden, which plants will grow and will understand the best and most lasting method of construction, and will work with you to create a garden that is your own space, that reflects your personality and your needs and preferences.

In additon, a properly-produced garden design will ensure that any expenditure is fully effective, and makes the best possible and most cost-effective use of space and materials.

Initial Visit

An appointment will be made for an initial visit to describe the services offered, to view your garden and discuss your requirements. An initial brief is formed, usually with the help of a questionnaire. This also gives you the opportunity to get to know the designer better and to view his portfolio and for him to demonstrate his competence to carry out the work.

Usually at this point the designer will give an estimate for the fees to carry out the required design process, and if commissioned will arrange to carry out the next stage of the process. The next stage is a site survey, and this can either be carried out as part of the initial visit or at a later convenient time.

Site Survey

The site survey is necessary for the designer to take the measurements needed to produce a scale site plan of the garden, also at this point other factors may be determined (for example soil tests may be carried out).

Draft and Main Plans

A draft plan is then usually produced and appointments made to discuss these plans with regard to such factors as hard landscaping materials and any other decisions that need to be taken.

Once you have approved the plan the designer can then produce the main plan that will contain all the information needed for you or a landscape contractor to construct the garden. Usually this will be colour rendered.

Planting Plans

Produced to accompany the main plan, or often to provide ideas for existing borders. These plans will show the number of shrubs needed, their location and the botanical names needed when ordering from a nursery.

Consultation Visits

To provide you with solutions to particular problems (for example an uninteresting corner of the garden, or a border that lacks colour).

Most designers work on a fixed fee basis which will be agreed at the beginning of the project and is payable on submission of the final plan. The fee is based on a number of factors, such as size and layout of the garden and the specific requirements of the design.

Consultation fees are usually charged at an hourly rate, and in all cases when calculating fees travelling expenses are taken into account. The fee for the initial visit is usually calculated from the travelling distance rather than being a fixed fee or hourly rate.