HOW WE WORK
Design Process
Offering a complete garden design service from concept to completion. Our aim is to make the process as easy and stress free for you as possible. You will be kept informed and updated throughout each phase of the process and we will be available for site inspections during the build ensuring the garden is built to specification.
The following steps provides an overview of a typical garden design process. With it being phased, the process can be tailored to fit your specific requirements.
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Step 1: Initial Consultation
The design process starts with an initial consultation on site. This informal site visit allows us to discuss your vision, aspirations and any specific requirements you may have for your garden, as well as getting a feel for the existing space. In short, it’s where we get to know you and your garden in more detail.
Following this meeting, you will receive a summary of your brief in writing along with a breakdown of the design process and fee structure for your project. -
Step 2: Site Survey | Site Analysis
If you are happy to proceed with a design, a detailed site analysis of your current garden will be conducted by Lisa and a topographical survey of your property commissioned. This process allows all necessary information about the site to be gathered such as sun exposure, soil conditions and the layout of the site including levels and utilities. This information, together with the client brief, forms the foundation of the concept design.
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Step 3: Concept Design
Using all the information from the previous stages, a bespoke and personal concept design is developed & drawn up. Once completed, you will be presented with a 2D plan of the proposed new garden layout along with 3D visualisations and mood boards, all helping you to visualise your new garden.
Following a discussion at this stage and with the focus being very much on the layout of the garden rather than its details, the design may be refined to produce the final design. -
Step 4: Masterplan | Detailed Design
The next stage in the process concentrates on the details of the design. With the concept design finalised, a masterplan of the agreed garden layout is produced along with key technical drawings such as setting out plans, contour and levels plans, irrigation, drainage and construction drawings. Material and planting palettes will also be proposed for discussion. At this stage it may be necessary for other professional’s such as structural engineers to be involved. Planning applications may also be required.
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Step 5: Planting Plan
The planting plan provides key setting out details of the proposed plants and trees depicting their location, name and quantities.
Each planting scheme is tailored to your site’s conditions and will be created to provide seasonal interest following the principle ‘right plant, right place’. A maintenance schedule will also be provided for you to keep your new garden looking beautiful in the years following completion. -
Step 6: Tendering | Site Visits
A tender pack including a detailed specification document of hard and soft landscaping materials, is put together in order for landscape contractors to quote. You are welcome to use a contractor of your choosing or we can help in sourcing suitable high quality contractors to quote for the build. With a contractor in place, we offer the option of regular site visits during the build. This is so we can monitor the progress and to ensure the garden is built to plan and to a high quality finish.
Once the building of the hard landscaping is complete we will be on site to help with the setting out of the plants.
RELATED SERVICES
This option is ideal if you want a cohesive design and overall plan to work to but prefer to build the garden in stages as time and budget allow.
Incorporating the first 3 steps of the design process - Initial Consultation, Site Survey/Site Analysis and Concept Design. A bespoke garden design will be developed and drawn up for you. It will be tailored to your taste and needs, following the client brief and working with the specific site and wider landscape.
Being a design only service, detailed measurements, setting out plans and construction details won’t be included.
Design Only Service
If you are happy with the layout of your garden but need help in refreshing existing borders with a new look, our planting design service may be for you.
Each planting design will be tailored to your taste, maintenance requirements and site conditions such as soil, aspect and moisture levels, following the principle ‘right plant, right place’ to create a planting scheme that thrives and provides interest throughout the year.
You will be provided with scaled planting plans depicting the location, name and quantities of plants for you to source and plant yourself or you can choose to use our plant sourcing services.
A maintenance schedule will also be provided for you to keep your new planting scheme looking it’s best.
Planting Design
A well designed lighting scheme can transform your outdoor space at night allowing you to not only enjoy your garden long into the summer evenings but extending it’s use all year long.
A lighting plan can be included into our garden designs, the plan provided will indicate positions and type in order for a qualified electrician to install.