Yes, after a few questions about the garden over the phone or by email, the best start to a project is for us to meet in person, in the garden. This first visit is an opportunity for us to discuss your thoughts and for me to tell you a little bit about what I provide.

I may have some initial thoughts about the design but I don’t usually say too much at this stage as the design magic happens at my drawing board once I’ve got all of the required information about the site, the house it surrounds and a little bit about your style. Normally, the first idea that springs into your head is not usually the best and the real ideas come from time spent considering of all of the factors.

I’m based in Stamford, Lincolnshire and generally cover a radius of around 25 miles – Ketton, Oakham, Uppingham, Melton Mowbray, Bourne, Market Deeping, Wansford.

Please do get in touch if you’re further away though as I’m happy to travel further afield for a lovely garden.

Design fees are a relatively small part of the overall cost to create the garden.

A well designed garden is an investment and a bad design could cost you more than a good one. I believe that if you intend to spend a sum on landscaping works, the most important thing is getting the design right. I use the tattoo analogy – If someone offered you a cheap one, would you get it?

The two main factors which affect how much the design will cost are size of the plot and complexity. If the site is sloping and will require a number of sets of steps or terracing, this takes much longer to think about than a flat plot. The features you want to include in the garden affect this too – outdoor kitchens, water features, lighting and planting design all require more time to think about and get right. My design fees for a small garden typically start at around £1,000. If you are looking for just planting or lighting design, my fees can be less.

Design is broken down into two sections:

Concept design:

I create my designs in 3d software following a measured garden survey. This means that you not only get designs that are drawn to a scale for the chosen landscaper to work from but you get beautiful 3D visuals that bring the design to life and allow you to see what the garden would look like from a number of perspectives throughout the space. I also create a supporting presentation which covers hard landscaping options and planting style. You can see some of the designs I create in my portfolio section.

Detailed design:

Once we’re happy with the concept design, I then create a detailed drawing pack for the landscaper to cost & work from.

Click here for a full breakdown of the garden design process.

It’s a bit of a “chicken and egg” situation with the final cost of a garden and it’s really difficult to create an accurate costing until we know what will be going into it. I design with cost in mind and understand where most of the budget will be spent - hard landscaping elements such as walls, paving and water features are usually the most expensive elements but clearance and earthworks and can be costly too. Don’t forget that replacing boundaries such as fences can be expensive as well.

No, my role is like that of an architect - I create the design and the technical documents for the scheme and then work with trusted landscapers to bring the design to life.

Training - The best garden designers will have qualification in design, landscaping practices as well as horticulture and will offer a design that has a knowledge base across all three. I personally have a first class degree in design as well as garden design and horticultural qualifications.

Thinking time - You’re paying a designer to listen to YOU and create a design that is bespoke to your style, home and setting. What will you be doing in the space? Do you enjoy the sun or after some shade? How much time are you prepared to put into maintenance? All of these things are unique to each client and every garden we design.

Clear and extensive presentation of how the design will look – As well as this, a designer will present combinations of materials and planting.

The most for your money - If the budget is tight, the fee for the design can often be saved on clever and creative design and material choices.

Consideration of plants and planting - A garden designer will offer a knowledge-based planting scheme tailored to both your style and your level of desired maintenance.

The combination of a really good garden designer and the expertise of a great landscaper is a winning formula.

No, I have created gardens of all shapes and sizes – from small gardens of 5m x 6m up to estates of 15 acres!

My Design Process page covers how it wall works and what you can expect when working with a garden designer. Click here for more information.

Yes, absolutely. Architecture and landscape design often intertwine and have an influence on each other, hopefully to create a landscape in which the house and garden sit together seamlessly. Although the landscaping of the garden usually comes towards the end of the house build, it’s worth getting a plan together for the landscape. For Example, many people are now building right up to the boundaries of their plots, leaving no access for landscaping equipment to be brought in, complicating and subsequently making the landscaping works far more expensive.

The outline (or concept) design usually takes 3-6 weeks. It sounds like a lot, but there’s a lot to think about in creating the best design that works for both you and your home.

Yes, if you would like lighting as part of the design, I’m more than happy to include this within the quote for the design. Click here to see some of my garden lighting designs.