Garden design steps
I have developed five steps in the garden design process to ensure that you get the information and documents you need to move from an initial idea to a completed garden.
This stepwise approach makes sure that you are involved as much as you want through the process. However, you may want to fast track the process to get the project finished by a certain date.
1. Giving you advice
Initial conversation to start the design service:
Discussion of your gardening needs and the range of services I offer
Advice and consultation visit to your garden:
- Make an initial assessment of your garden
- Discuss your requirements and ideas
- Help you formulate a brief and a budget for the project
- Determine the way forward and which services are required
It is possible that this consultation visit will be all that is required, for example if you just need general advice on garden design or plants, or if you want to discuss specific problems and possible remedies.
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2. Creating the ideas
Making an accurate map of your garden
- Ensures the design fits the garden
- Could save you money and will avoid delays
- You can check the measurements yourself
Sketch your concept
Turn your dreams into a scheme:
- Analysing site conditions
- Determining what planting is important to you and which of your existing plants you want to keep
- Sketching ideas and investigating options
- Comparing the concept against the brief
During this step you will review the concepts and ideas and revise if necessary. At the end of this step we agree on a scheme suited to your needs.
3. Finishing the plans
Finish your layout
Consolidates the sketches into working drawings:
- Adds the details to your sketches
- Adds labels and notes to the features
- Specifies the materials you want using
- Sets out how your scheme is to be built
- Includes levels, elevations and other details
- Enables the contractor to give you an accurate price
- Will avoid the contractor asking a lot of questions
Sort your plants
Dresses your garden with your favourite plants:
- What do you want the planting to do?
- Screening, calming, riot or colour? Scented or edible?
- Analyse your existing plants - what will work and what won't
- Select the new plants that fit the scheme and local climate
- Arrange the plants onto the plan and make a full list
4. Getting you quotes
Prepare your tender:
Ensures the contractor has all the information to build the project successfully:
- Your finished layout drawings checked
- I draw up additional detailed drawings showing how the garden is to be constructed
- I also produce a detailed specification
- I provide all documents to the contractor
- The contractor meets you on site
- Quotation(s) come in and are compared against the budget
- Where necessary the scheme may be phased or altered to keep within budget
- Revised quotations may be requested as necessary
5. Building the garden
Monitor your contract:
- Site visits e.g. at start and prior to completion to ensure construction meets design and quality standards
- Signing off work completed and agreeing payments to contractor
- Dealing with snagging issues to ensure you have a garden which meets your needs
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Contact me to discuss how I can begin this journey with you.
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