FAQ
How much does a new garden cost?
How long is a piece of string? The cost of a project is hugely variable depending on the size of the garden, your budget and what you want done. The most expensive part of any garden build is the construction of hard landscaping. Contractor's fees and the price of materials will make up by far the majority of the cost. Within that certain features are more time consuming and therefore more expensive than others, such as formal ponds or terracing. Soft landscaping is much cheaper, but variables might be size, the need to clear a very overgrown garden or for soil remediation. My job is to design your garden to your budget, so it's worth thinking carefully about how much you want to spend on it at the outset.
My own fee for a full design varies much less than the construction cost as all the same phases and documents have to be completed regardless of the size of the garden. It's not based on a percentage of the build as I'm separate from the contractor. The complexity and liability of planting design is much lower, so design costs are smaller. A soft landscaping-only design still requires requires the initial consultation and survey, then design, sourcing, setting out and planting, the cost of which depends on the size of the garden and the required effect.
How long does an average project take?
From engaging a designer to starting construction always takes longer than people anticipate. It can take several months depending on the following factors:
Phase 1 of the design usually takes around one month after completion of the survey and client brief. I will start working on it immediately, then stop actively working on it and let it swirl around in my head for a while. I've come to realise that this part is as important as sitting at my drawing board. It is often when the real inspiration arrives, and also shows up limitations and dead ends. Essentially the longer all the stages of the design are allowed, the better and tighter the end product, but this has to be balanced against the client's requirements.
Phase 2 depends on how many changes are needed.
Phase 3 takes around two to four weeks depending on the complexity of the design.
Tender: It takes time to cost and quote for a design, and landscaping contractors are doing it in their spare time, and on spec. This means that getting a quote back can take quite a long time in busy periods. I will start to check up on them after 2 weeks, but 4 weeks is a reasonable length of time for a professional detailed estimate.
Beginning of construction: With their estimate, the landscaper will give their lead times. Even if they are not busy, they will need time to pre-order materials, organise skips, get council permissions where necessary, hire machinery and so on. This will be agreed between you and the chosen landscaper.
Do you build the garden yourself?
No. When Phase 3 of your design is complete I will discuss contractors with you, be there when you meet them and put the design out to tender. Once you have settled on someone to do the work, you will hire them directly. I will continue to keep an eye on things during construction so that I can sort out any problems arising, and help you with any questions. As I am independent of the contractors it allows me to be in a position to mediate any disagreements between you and as my fee is separate from construction costs there's no advantage to me in designing something more expensive than you had planned.
I notice you use a pencil, isn't that a bit old fashioned?
I do still use a drawing board in the initial concept stages because a pencil gives you the freedom to be creative in a way that CAD doesn't. All technical information is produced digitally.
I don't want to pay for all that; can you just do the design part without all the bells and whistles?
The short answer is no. The long answer is that all the parts of the process are fundamental to ensuring that the design will work and be safe. I can’t design without doing a survey because I need to take accurate measurements first. I have to consider construction details from the start too: for example, steps have a strict tread to riser ratio if you want them to be safe, and this impacts the use of space.
The drawings of the concept plan and 3D impressions are necessary because without them I would be unable to communicate my work to you.
The Master Plan is the scale drawing the contractor works from. All measurements, instructions and detailing must be available to the contractor so that they can get the building work right, down to the fall of any drains or the mix and colour of any mortar. Designers will usually also specify a supplier of each material so that it will not be of substandard quality, which means researching suppliers, lead times and prices.
Construction drawings are important to communicate with the contractor what the client wants him to build.
Building specifications contain instructions on how all parts of the build must be undertaken, including the materials to be used, the methods to be used for each different type of construction, the quality of the work, instructions on keeping the site clean and safe for the client and the contractors, instructions on working times, consideration for neighbours, tool storage, weather conditions in which they may not work, times of inspection, sign off process, requirement for a risk assessment and so on.
In addition I'll manage the construction tender, help you to choose a contractor, manage your relationship with the builder, be on hand to sort out any questions arising from problems uncovered on site, inspect at regular intervals to pick up on errors, make sure that someone is there to accept delivery of materials and so on.
Without all these elements I couldn't be sure that the work that I had designed would be built to a standard which is safe and long-lasting. The technical aspects are intrinsic to the creative side of design which is the process of ensuring that everything you want in your garden forms part of a harmonious, balanced and integrated whole.
Do you do garden maintenance?
I am happy to arrange periodic visits to check on a garden I have designed. I will also do specialist work, such as pruning Wisteria, or horticultural assessments. I can sometimes be persuaded to do more because working with plants is my favourite thing. Why not get in touch and see if you can get me away from my drawing board!
Are you VAT registered?
No. Certainly if you are employing a design and build company, they should be paying VAT, as the cost of the build will go through their books. As a designer my fee is separate and sadly too low for me to qualify at present.