My Garden Design Process
Stage 1 Initial Client Meeting
This is all about exploration, understanding and a chance for me to get to know you and familiarize myself with your garden. This will be conducted face-to-face at the design site. I will use my portfolio, magazines and pinterest to help explore ideas, then together we will discuss your aspirations for the garden; how you want to use the space, how you want the garden to compliment the property, key features that you would like to see included and anything you would like to keep from the existing garden. We will conduct an initial site appraisal questionnaire together, walking around the space and discussing any relevant specialists that we may need to consult with for the project, such as; architects, tree surgeons, planning consultants, civil engineers, or water specialists.
Of course, it doesn’t need to be the whole garden you want designing, it may be a partial area, or simply a border that needs revitalising.
Stage 2 Full Design Brief & Survey
Upon agreement of the fee proposal, if more information is needed, I will take a full detailed design brief of your requirements and conduct a more formal appraisal of the site. All sites will require an accurate survey of the house and garden, larger and more complex sites will need to be commissioned. This can be arranged on your behalf.
Stage 3 Concept Proposals & Design Development
Upon agreement of the Design Brief I will begin the design process, resulting in the final Masterplan. This is a dynamic process with initial conceptual design ideas presented to you through sketches and mood boards. These will generally be hand drawn sketches, although CAD may be used if required, to help visualise key areas and to convey views from certain positions. Mood boards will be presented to give you a visual idea of soft and hard landscaping materials.
Stage 4 Masterplan
Once we have agreed the direction the design will take, and you have approved the sketched designs, I will create the final Masterplan which will be a detailed, comprehensive, scaled drawing of the new design for your garden. The final Masterplan will be presented in A3 format, unless you require a larger format, and is used for the Construction and Build phase.
Stage 5 Construction & Build - Technical Specifications
Getting the final Masterplan is an exciting moment in your garden planning process and I hope you will love what I create! We can then move onto creating detailed construction drawings needed for contractors to carry out the work for you. This may also include, lighting and irrigation plans.
Detailed construction drawings are needed for tendering purposes and those specialised contractor services you have chosen. You may have a preferred contractor you wish to use or, alternatively, I can make recommendations on which contractors to use to ensure that you get the garden design built to your expectations.
Once your contractors have been chosen, I can make regular visits to ensure that the design is progressing according to the masterplan.
Stage 6 Planting Plans
Most customers will want to see what trees, shrubs, plants and climbers can be used to compliment the original design inspirations. This really helps bring the garden design to life in a visual way and will be used by the landscape contractors to manage planting. The planting plan will be accompanied with quantities and sizes of plants for ordering.
I can help to source plants, shrubs and trees, if you have chosen to have a planting plan. Alternatively, I can recommend nurseries to supply you with the best plants, shrubs and trees, should you wish.
Stage 7 Maintenance
If required, I can provide a maintenance plan to help you care for your plants. This can be handed to your preferred gardener, so they will know instantly what’s in your garden, or you can use it to maintain the garden yourself, if desired.
Now your garden is built you can sit back, relax and enjoy it to the full.