The typical process for a full garden design follows the order below:
Consultation
Survey and Site Analysis
Preparation of a scaled Concept Plan, the artistic impression of your garden
Preparation of a Master Plan for your garden (construction details)
Preparation of a Planting Plan for your garden
Support in Tendering for a landscape contractor
Planting and maintenance
Consultation
THERE ARE TWO VARIANTS ON HOW TO USE A GARDEN DESIGN CONSULTATION.
Firstly, I can work with you in your garden for a full or half day. By negotiation, this may include simple advise, pencil sketches, and lists of plants. It could lead to a more detailed plan being drawn up.
Secondly, the consultation often forms the first stage of the full design process. If you are not too far away, this could be a free visit to meet with you, look at the garden, and to discuss the process, your needs and wishes for your new garden. It will lead to a Client Brief being compiled, and forwarded to you with a Contract for the whole (or part of) design process. Following your authorisation of the Contract, I will make an appointment to visit the site for a full survey and analysis.
Survey and Site Analysis
THE FULL AND DETAILED SURVEY IS ESSENTIAL FOR ACCURATE PLANS TO BE DRAWN OF YOUR GARDEN.
Depending of the size of the garden, this could take several hours, even a full day. The whole exterior of the house is measured, including doors, windows, utilities and special features. The boundaries and area of the garden are then measured. Levels are taken to ascertain the contours within the garden. Existing features, soils, plants etc. are assessed, and finally views in and out of the site are evaluated.
Preparation of a Concept Plan
THE CONCEPT PLAN IS THE FIRST STAGE IN THE FULL GARDEN DESIGN PROCESS. IT SETS OUT THE DESIGN IN AN ARTISTIC AND IMPRESSIONISTIC MANNER. IT INCLUDES 3-D PERSPECTIVE DRAWINGS OF THE NEW GARDEN, IS COLOURFUL AND WILL ALLOW YOU THE CHANCE TO VISUALISE YOUR NEW SPACE.
The Concept Plan doesn’t yet itemise all the plants in detail. Once approved, a Planting Plan can be drawn up to detail the precise plant specifications.
The Concept Plan also doesn’t fully identify all built elements of the design. It allows you the opportunity to make small changes to the design as it moves into the next stage, the Master Plan stage. Here you will receive precise construction drawings of the hard landscaping, the built elements of your new garden. These will be accompanied by full specification and contractual documents to enable a landscaper to build the garden.
Preparation of a detailed Master Plan
THE MASTER PLAN, AND ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS, DETAIL ALL THE BUILT ELEMENTS OF YOUR NEW GARDEN – THE HARD LANDSCAPING.
It consists of millimetre precise construction drawings, clearly itemising all the built elements of the design. This set of documents enables the design and build to run smoothly, and covers all elements of layout and construction.
The Master Plan is accompanied by a set of written Specifications, setting out in detail the order of the build, the precise materials to use, and the desired finish to the garden.
Copies of the Master Plan documentation can be shared with landscapers who tender for the job. This way, you get an accurate quotation from reliable and recommended professionals, who are contractually bound to provide the garden as designed.
Preparation of a detailed Planting Plan
JUST AS THE CONCEPT PLAN COULDN’T IDENTIFY ALL THE INTRICACIES OF THE BUILD, NEITHER COULD IT ITEMISE EVERY PLANT. THE PLANTING PLAN WILL PROVIDE ALL THE INFORMATION ON THE SOFT LANDSCAPING OF YOUR GARDEN.
In a large garden this will be broken down into individual planted beds or borders. A full spreadsheet of plant information will detail the range of plants used, which can form the Plant Schedule for ordering from chosen nurseries and planting the garden.
A Maintenance Plan will accompany your Planting Plan, enabling either your, or your gardener, to maintain the garden carefully as it grows to maturity.
Support with Tendering for a Landscape Contractor
FOR A SMALL FEE, WE CAN MANAGE THE TENDERING PROCESS, OVERSEE THOSE LANDSCAPERS WHO ARE RECOMMENDED TO TENDER, AND GUIDE YOU WITH YOUR DECISIONS.
The choice will remain yours throughout; however, we are able to make suggestions and recommendations where necessary. We will never force you to use a landscaper against your will.
Tendering for the build means that you get the best finish to the garden possible, coming in at the estimated cost, not above, with no unauthorised changes made up on the spur of the moment.
Remember, a well designed and built garden can add 10% to the value of your property, not least the desirability of the house and garden.
planting and maintenance
Contact us if you require help with the planting of your garden, and maintenance from there on in. We have years of experience, and Richard is a qualified RHS Mater of Horticulture.
