Initial Consultation
An initial meeting taken place at the site, in order to get a good understanding of how you intend to use the garden, your preferences, ideas, and any problem areas you would like the design to address. Photographs of the garden will be taken for reference.
If you have any pictures of gardens, plants, artwork or even colour schemes that you like (or do not like), these would be useful to share.
Following this meeting, you will receive:
– Client Brief – your brief for the project, including initial observations of the site
– Scope of Works
– Fee Proposal
– Terms and Conditions
Site Survey & Analysis
A detailed analysis of the site will be undertaken. This includes measuring the boundaries, locating key features, and measuring differences in ground level. Features or views to highlight or screen will be assessed, and soil will be analysed. Complex or larger gardens may require a qualified land surveyor. Details of local surveyors can be provided, who can quote for this separately.
Following the survey and analysis a black and white plan of the existing site will be produced. Details from this plan will be used for the proposed design.
Design Proposal
A scaled design proposal, showing the garden from different views is created in full colour for discussion and to help visualise the look and feel of the garden. There is a chance to make adjustments to this design.
Detailed Plans & Drawings
An updated design plan is produced following the outcome of the last meeting. In addition, detailed setting out plan and technical drawings are created. These are shared with the landscape contractor so they can fully understand the requirements and ensure the garden is built as per your requirements.
Sourcing of sample materials may also be included in this stage at an additional cost.
Planting Plan, Supply & Maintenance
A scaled planting plan will be produced in colour, identifying each plant and its location in the garden.
Plants will be sourced by specialist nurseries for you and delivered to your site ready for planting out.
You may require the services of a gardener or may wish to maintain the garden yourself. Included in the planting fee, a maintenance plan will be provided, outlining activities to be undertaken throughout the year to help you understand your plants needs and keep the garden looking beautiful.
Project Inspection
During the building process, regular on-site inspections or meetings with the contractors and client will be held to ensure the garden build runs smoothly and on-track.
Additional Optional Services
Lighting Plan
The garden needs to look good at night as well as the day. Lighting can change the mood of the garden and a great opportunity to highlight key features and plants. A plan and document will be produced showing the lighting details and location. Sourcing the lighting is included in the fee.
Contract Quotations
Comparable quotes from three reputable landscape companies to carry out the construction of the garden will be provided. To prepare for the quotations, a specification document outlining the precise work to be undertaken such as the construction methods and materials to be used will be created. This will be sent to the contractors along with the design, contract documentation and any other relevant drawings so they can quote for the work on an equal basis.
Planting Out
You may wish to have help to put the plants into the garden. This includes digging the area for trees, staking and following the planting plan. Planting of large trees or any mulching over a large area will be completed by the contractor.
Consultancy Service
A re-design may not be required, or it may be some years since your garden was designed and built. Instead you may wish to have a one-off discussion sharing ideas and advice on how you can improve or tweak the existing garden.
“We hired Lou for an initial consultation to help us visualise how we could make the most of our garden. She came up with fantastic ideas and drafted a plan that took all we asked into consideration (low maintenance, Mediterranean feel, pots and shade loving beds). We will most definitely hire Lou again when we get to the planting phase :-). Highly recommended.”
Gaële, Wallingford
