The Process

Initial meeting/s and questions…

The design process begins with a ‘no fee’ initial client meeting to discuss your project requirements and to form a ‘client brief’. This can be a short meeting or an in-depth discussion to determine your ‘needs’ ‘musts’ ‘desires’ all depending on the level of detailing required?

Further meetings are often required to go through various ideas/concepts/materials and costs.

Tip! It is useful to collect images or photos of gardens and features you like. This will assist me in interpreting your thoughts and understanding your ideas.

Site survey

Depending on the complexity of the site an outline pencil and paper survey can be carried out on my first visit, alternatively a full survey provided at a later stage. Trees, drainage & electrical services, existing features, boundaries and site levels are all recorded.

Designs drawings

For basic schemes a simple sketch and scope of works may be all that’s needed? Moving on from sketches come the accurate ‘to scale’ setting out plans/elevations and scaled working drawings, for either myself or other contractors and manufacturers to build your garden.

Perspective drawings can be provided to assist us in visualising the finished product.

How much does it cost?

In most instances, for gardens circa 20k or under a simple ‘to scale’ sketch is normally sufficient along with build material samples and finishes…my fees for this are circa £250.00. My fee is included in the build cost so there are no upfront costs. The drawing is released on acceptance ‘in principle’ of my build quote and sketch. You are then programmed into the diary for a start date.

Typically gardens of over 20k require a further degree of detailing. At the outset I will provide a quote for this design work.

Budget

Before proceeding too far it is important to get an idea as to the eventual cost by means of a budget. This insures there are sufficient funds available for the build before proceeding too far!

Given my vast build experience and knowledge gained over the last 10years I’m able to provide you with a realistic build cost at the earliest possible opportunity. This can save many wasted hours redesigning at a later stage, if the eventual build cost is realised to be ‘over your budget’.

In a nutshell:

I can ‘design and build’ your garden or provide you with a full ‘design only’ package

Mood Board

A ‘mood board’ helps to set the scene! They show images and features that are integral to the design. Samples of hard & soft landscaping are also provided and therefore can be seen ‘in context’ with the existing site and forms an important presentation tool aid in the design.

Models

Models can be physically built for the client to see the finished product. They are particularly helpful when architectural features figure heavily in the design.

Project management

To insure the design comes to life with a minimum of hick-ups I would recommend I manage the building works. From experience managing the contract takes much of the pressure away from the client. Details and finishes can then be adapted/modelled to suite the site and the costs closely monitored. Deliveries and installation of materials are tightly scheduled in order that the project runs smoothly to programme. Final accounts can be approved and signed off!