your Garden

Design Process

Initial Consultation

The initial consultation involves identifying the style that complements your personality and finding the essential elements that can enhance your outdoor living experience. Through collaborative discussions, we will dig into your ideas, allowing me to present tailored options that align with your budget and preferences. Following our consultation, you can anticipate receiving a comprehensive design proposal and associated fees within a few days.

For gardens situated within a 15-mile radius from our studio in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, the initial visit is offered at no cost. Beyond this radius, a mileage charge of 65p per mile will apply to cover travel expenses.

Site Analysis

Once you decide to hire my services I will need detailed information about the site and boundaries. A land survey generally will include measurements, topography and position of the existing features and/or trees to keep for the new design. For small gardens I will carry out the analysis unless the complexity on the geometry or any other requirement demands a specialist land surveyor.

 

Concept Sketch Plan

The information from the site survey and the brief are the basis of the concept design. In this stage I will present to you the concept proposals for your garden including scaled sketches to show you the overall layout. For complex designs I will deliver 3D digital models for a better visualisation of how your garden will look.

Any modifications or additions to the design should be decided at this stage to avoid any additional costs to implement the changes later on in the process. 

 

 

Detailed Project Pack                    

This is the final pack produced for the contractor to commission the garden. Includes:

  • Master Plan – this is the final layout plan drawn to scale. It provides all the required information to commission the garden including hard landscaping materials and the position of the main features. I also produce detail construction drawings and lighting plan including specification for fittings.

  • Planting Plan – the detailed plan will show the size, type and position of each plant. Your preferences and the growing conditions of your garden will be the foundation for a plan focused to enhance the design, and to create an interest composition through the year. It includes the schedule for planting and documentation with the details of the quantity, size and requirements for each plant.

  • Tender Documentation and Schedules – this is the set of documents with every specification for the master plan. This set is sent to different contractors to obtain a quote and schedule for the jobs. With this information we can select the best contractor for you.

Landscaping and Planting

I only hire experienced and reliable landscaping contractors to commission my designs. I will cooperate with the contractors during the garden construction, if required. Once complete I am willing to take responsibility of  the planting stage to ensure that the correct species are planted and source a suitable substitution, if the first choice is unavailable. 

Project Management and Maintenance Schedule

For larger projects it may be required to work directly with the contractors to procure the proper materials and to ensure the tender process is running on schedule and within budget. Once the garden is finished and signed off I will be happy to remain as an advisor and help you with the future development.