Design & Consultancy - how I work:
Initial visit and consultation
I will arrange a preliminary visit to discuss your garden and to explain the way I work. This meeting is a time for me to listen to your ideas and, if appropriate, to share with you my ‘first impressions’ – subsequently enabling me to formulate a brief on which to base a quotation for at least the first stage of any design work.
Site Survey
An accurate survey of your existing garden is necessary before I can start on the design process. This will be undertaken either by me or, in the case of a more complex garden, by a land surveyor. The survey will show your house, boundaries, existing features and levels required for the subsequent preparation of the new design for your garden.
Outline Plan
My design for your garden will consist of a hand-coloured outline plan together with artistic impressions of how your new garden will look. This outline plan will act as a discussion document, allowing me to present my ideas, talk through any changes you may wish to make and will act as the ‘blueprint’ for any further design work or phasing of the project.
Setting Out Plan and Construction drawings
The Setting Out Plan will be the drawing from which the contractor will work, accurately calculate the cost and, on your approval, set out and ‘build’ your new garden. Construction drawings for specific features (i.e. water features or any ‘hard landscaping’ required) will also be prepared with the Setting Out Plan.
Planting Plan and Schedule
The Planting Plan will show the location and spacing of the plants in the design. I will also provide a Schedule with a list of the plant names, sizes and quantities required which will be used for accurate costings, ordering and subsequently setting out the plants.
Project Management
To ensure that your new garden is built to your satisfaction, I can also manage the whole project on your behalf, making sure that I am on site on a regular basis, working with your contractor to resolve any ‘snagging’ problems that may arise, and thus bring the ‘hard landscaping’ stage of construction through to completion on time and on budget.
Planting
On completion of the construction phase, I will personally supervise the final stage of supply and setting out of all your chosen plants – in many cases, doing the planting myself.
Maintenance
Once your new garden is completed, I can also provide you with a Maintenance Calendar – to help you to care for your newly-created garden throughout the year.
"Every garden-maker should be an artist along his own lines. That is the only possible way to create a garden, irrespective of size or wealth."
Vita Sackville-West
