Design process detail
The design process allows the design and implementation of your garden to evolve according to your needs and the local conditions.
This stepwise approach is responsive to change and makes sure that you are involved as much as you want through the process.
Contact me to discuss how I can begin this journey with you.
1. Visit garden
Initial consultation visit to start the design service:
- Make initial assessment of your garden
- Discuss your requirements and ideas
- Help you formulate a brief and a budget for the project
- Confirm agreed action and costs of next parts of the process
Advice and consultation visit:
- To give you advice on all aspects of landscaping
- To discuss problems and possible remedies
- To arrange to meet a specialist to look at a particular issue
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2. Map garden
Making an accurate map of your garden
- Ensures the design fits the garden
- Avoids expensive re-drawings or delays to the project
- Help you formulate a brief and a budget for the project
- Makes sure everything is incorporated into the scheme
3. Concept
Turning your ideas into a scheme
- Fits ideas to the map - the broad brush strokes
- Assess different ways of achieving your objectives
- A taster of which scheme will work best for you
- Not too late to make changes
4. Layout plans (final drawings)
Converting the ideas in to fixed plans used in the building process:
- Showing the finer details, the finishes and textures
- Laying out how this scheme is to be built, with details, elevations and levels
- Setting out information to ensure the scheme is built according to plans
- Enabling the contractor to give a cost for the scheme
5. Planting plans (dressing the garden)
Providing you with an appropriate planting scheme:
- Beginning with a general specification of what the planting is trying to achieve
- Building images from pictures of schemes and plant lists
- Selecting plants which meet your needs
- Chosing according to the local climate and soil
- Creating effects: screening, calming, spectacular features
- Arranging and sorting according to colour, height, seasons and flowering times
6. Preparing tender documents
Ensuring the contractor has the information to build the scheme successfully:
- Detailed drawings and finalising samples
- Meeting contractor on site to review access and other issues
- Ensuring that your needs are protected
7. Monitor contract
Ensuring the scheme is carried out to the design.
Before the contract can be let:
- Comparing provisional costs to budget
- Collating and assessing tenders - advising on most appropriate contractor
- Ensuring that your needs are protected
During the contract:
- Acting on your behalf to ensure the design is successfully implemented
- Signing off phases of work for stage payments
- Ensuring good, clear communication between all parties
- Aiding your understanding of the construction process
- Dealing with snagging issues prior to completion
After the contract:
- Ensuring the work has been carried out satisfactorily
- Agreeing that the contractor’s retention can be paid
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