Initial Visit - This involves me visiting your garden and discussing with you the opportunities and issues your garden presents. I will show you past work and you can assess whether you would like to employ my services.
Design Consultation - In this meeting I will take a full brief of your needs. We will review the house and garden style and not the location, access and levels. I will also make broad suggestions as to how the garden can be improved. I will then send you my comments by post. This will set out my understanding of your needs which you may revise and return a copy to me. The letter will include an estimate of the costs of doing the survey and an outline plan. If you decide to proceed you will need to pay at this point.
Survey - I will survey your garden. This will allow me to draw an accurate scale drawing. This is essential in order to correctly place items such as paths, trees, beds, buildings etc. I will measure the garden and its relationship to the house, access points, doors and windows, as well as any other buildings. I will also note the aspect and views. I will plot where beds and trees are located. I may also take soil samples for site analysis and take photographs. Armed with this information I will create an outline plan.
Outline Plan - This will show how the new garden will look. It will include all of the agreed features such as pond, pergola and beds. I will present this to you personally. As this is your garden your ideas are paramount. You may wish therefore to make changes to the outline plan which will then be incorporated into the master plan and planting plan. With the outline plan I will include costing for the master and planting plans.
Master Plan - The master plan is the agreed final plan that the contractors will work from including dimensions and materials.
Planting Plan and Construction Drawings - This will detail the number and types of plants to be planted, including their botanical names and varieties. This will ensure that you get the plants that meet you specifications be it a bold red summer border, a winter display, all year round interest or to attract wildlife etc. It also ensures that you get the plants that are suitable for your garden. The planting plan will include a drawing showing where the plants are to be located and a table of the species and quantities of plants. This helps to estimate prices. If the design requires steps, walls, water features or items such as pergolas you will need drawings a professional can work from. I will produce these drawings for you.
Maintenance Schedule - If you wish I can create a maintenance schedule for you to enable you to keep your plants in tip top condition.
Garden Construction - I provide a design service not a construction service. I will however contact three landscape specialist companies and arrange for them to contact you to arrange to provide you with a quote. If you wish I will consult with the landscapers offering three visits, one at the start of the project, one during the works and again just before completion. This will ensure that the design brief has been adhered too avoid any confusions and that work is of a high standard.