Initially, I will visit you to discuss your vision for your garden and your specific requirements. It helps me a great deal if you are able to provide reference materials (magazine cuttings, photos, etc.) to help me determine your likes and dislikes, your colour preferences, etc. It is important that you have an idea of the amount of money you are prepared to spend at this stage in the design process. Following this meeting, I will send you a cost estimate and briefing document. My fee for this initial consultation visit is £95.00, depending on your location, and is redeemable against the cost of a design.

Once you have decided to go ahead, I will carry out a detailed survey and analysis of your garden and soil type. Depending on the size of the site it may be necessary to engage the services of a surveyor or structural engineer. These services are charged at standard cost plus 10%.

Following the survey I will produce an initial outline plan detailing proposed areas of hard landscaping, planting, structures and features, together with suggestions for materials. I will then visit and present this plan, and together we will look at the design and discuss it in detail. At this stage, minor amendments to the design will not attract any extra charges. However, for major alterations due to significant changes to your design brief or other unforeseen circumstances, I will charge an hourly rate of £35.00.

Once the outline plan has been approved, I will draw up a final plan that incorporates any changes. This is the plan from which a landscape contractor will be able to cost, set out and build the garden. Construction drawings of specific structures or features may be drawn up at this stage if required.

The planting plan shows the location and spacing of all the plants in the design and is of great importance. It considers the aspect and growing conditions of the site and plants are chosen accordingly. Colour, texture and seasonal interest feature highly and are tailored to suit individual tastes.

I am able to recommend preferred contractors with whom I work regularly and can obtain construction costs upon request. Once the garden has been built, I will source, supply and personally set out all the plants in your garden, and organise the planting. If you plan to maintain the garden yourself, I can prepare an easy to follow guide on maintaining and caring for your new garden.

Cost?

Before meeting with a designer it is important to set an overall budget as this provides a guide and determines what can be achieved. I will always work around a given budget.

Design fees do not include any structural work or plants and will obviously vary depending on design, garden size and location.