Garden Design

Garden design is a process which starts with either a vision or a desire. You may want to create a thing of beauty, to be enjoyed by all who live in your property or come to visit, or you may want to create something which fulfils a certain purpose, an outside entertainment area, a walk, a play area, and so on.

Whatever the size, type or context of the space you have, our purpose is to assist you with all stages of the process in creating your ideal garden. It is not just a matter of creating a pretty design on paper; we can find and collaborate with interior designers, architects, landscape contractors and nurseries to build a long lasting garden that you will enjoy. We see garden design as a very specialist area of expertise within landscape design.

On occasions, projects might require the knowledge and professional skills of a Landscape Architect to cope with larger scale or more complex issues. This is a service which we can provide.

Process

In our experience each design project has different requirements; we can tailor the design process to meet your needs. A typical garden design process is outlined below:

1. Brief

A visit to your property is the most effective way to discuss your requirements and take a look at the site. These aims are then defined to produce and agree a design brief, on which the design of the garden will be based.

2. Survey

An accurate survey of the site is required to allow the proposals for the garden to be drawn up. For smaller gardens this may only require some simple measurements, while for larger or more complex sites a full topographical survey would be commissioned, possibly with a tree or photo survey.

3. Concept proposals

The brief and survey information are used to produce concept ideas and a sketch design. Having reached this stage, you will want to hear back from us as quickly as possible, so after agreeing a timetable with you, the concept design will be presented. This usually takes the form of a booklet which includes a proposed design plan with supporting images and sketches to show clearly how the garden could be transformed.

4. Detail proposals

Following discussions about the concept designs and changes required, more detailed drawings can be prepared. Hard landscape drawings and specification are also provided, along with detailed information about the planting of the garden. This information is then used as the basis for fixing a price for the project.

5. Tender

The detailed drawings are sent to several carefully selected contractors, who are invited to provide a cost for building the garden.

6. Construction

During the construction process it is important that the work is monitored at regular intervals, to ensure that the final garden is as close to the proposals as possible. This service can be provided as either a full inspection, or as an administrative or advisory, role, if required.