I decided to put this article together after returning to the private sector and seeing some uncertainty from potential clients about what the process of garden design was and why it was necessary at all. Surely it can be scribbled on the back of a fag packet, right?

In the world of commercial landscape architecture it is a given that these services are critical to facilitate landscapes that are compliant, fit for purpose and tied to a budget- and did I mention, attractive. The same principles hold true for garden design and yet often the cost of such services leads private clients to shelve the design process in favour of trusting the chosen landscaper to deliver the vision, no matter how vague the brief- after all, less design fee means more garden budget. At best, this represents a gamble, at worst a very expensive mistake. Read on to discover what the design process is and how it can help you get the garden/landscape you want whilst avoiding costly mistakes. 

Part 1: Consultation

Design often starts with a consultation. That is, a meeting at your property to discuss what it is you want to achieve. The designer will attempt to tease out of you how you envisage using the space, elements that you’d like to include and the thorny issue of project budget. It is normal for garden designers to charge for this initial consultation- after all, you wouldn’t visit a solicitor and expect their advice for nothing? You will be benefiting from their expertise during these early discussions and it should help to shape your expectations of what can be achieved given your budget, the site constraints and your requirements. 

The direction of travel is shaped during these early discussions. Often, finding out what is achievable within budget and site constraints is valuable- sometimes it’s an over inflated expectation that can lead to disappointing outcomes. The initial consultation will arm you with information from which you can make important decisions regarding where best to spend your budget. You are investing in getting the most out of your wish list.