Garden Design Services
When designing a garden I look at the surrounding landscape, the geology and soil, the local building materials and style, and use these to influence my ideas; contours and aspect also play a part.
All these factors, rather than being a restriction, act as the key influences in unlocking the potential of the garden.
If the external influences are limited, there is the potential to do something totally new and individual to reflect the personality and lifestyle of the owner, perhaps using contemporary materials such as slate paving or timber decking.
Lighting and water can enhance the outdoor experience, and a restricted plant colour palette creates a sophisticated mood.
I offer the following services:
- One-off consultations with a written report at £40 per hour plus travel costs
The design process which includes:
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Survey using laser-measured dimensions and levels
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Analysis of the plot; the essential foundations of the design
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Presentation plan showing all the elements of the design
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Photographs, overlays and sketches help clients to "see" the design in situ
In addition, to ensure an accurate build:
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Setting out plan, Specification document and construction drawings for the contractor
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Project monitoring: site visits during the build to ensure high quality construction
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Planting plan and schedule
Other services:
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Plant Sourcing for a new border or that special individual specimen.
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Plant Identification - from one mystery plant to hedgerows and woodland
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Maintenance advice and Schedule to keep the garden looking its best from day one.
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Landscape advice for surrounding paddocks and woodland
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Follow-up visits to offer fresh inspiration
- Seasonal planting a speciality
How much will it cost?
As every garden is different, it is difficult to estimate an accurate cost of the work at the outset. However, to give you some idea, contractors charge from £250-£400 per person per day for labour; soft landscaping costs from £10 - £100 per m2 depending on the size and price of the plants, and hard landscaping can cost from £30 to £150 per m2 depending on the materials and method of laying.
If you have plans for big changes in a large garden, you need to budget for a similar amount to having a new kitchen or a house extension, say between 4% and 10% of the house value. If this sounds like a lot of money, bear in mind that a well designed and maintained garden will add 10% to the value of your house.
How can I save money on my garden design?
You can keep the cost down if you do some of the work yourself, given the time, energy and expertise. If you decide to have the work done by a contractor in stages, this will reduce the initial outlay but will work out to be more expensive; materials and labour may go up in price and fixed overheads such as on-site machinery and skips will have to be added for each stage instead of once.
My Fees
For projects with a budget of £20,000 or less I charge a fixed fee based on the time I estimate that the design will take me, with travel expenses added on. Having seen the garden, I can give a quote for each stage, depending on the size and complexity of the project. For projects with a budget of £20,000 upwards I use the Society of Garden Designers Fee Scale. www.sgd.org.uk