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the questions
When we started to look at the garden our ideas kept changing?
Not knowing where to start inhibits the ability to visualise. With strong ideas or differences of opinion clients can be too close to the situation. Garden designers bring experience and the ability to focus on client ideas. They can guide and advise.
What should I think about when considering my new garden?
The structure of the garden and how it is laid out, considering the location and amount of hard landscaping, focuses the mind on how the garden is to be used. The style and mood of a desirable garden is unique to each client and guides how the structure and planting to compliment this is desired. The ‘what, why, when, how, where and who’ should be asked of everything from garden furniture, garden lighting, water, entertaining and planting.
How much should we spend on our garden?
Be realistic. Clients can spend as much as they desire dependent on their love and the importance of their garden. A client looking to create a new garden might consider spending in the region of 10% of the value of their home.
How much does it cost for a full garden design?
Fees charged would be between 10-15% of the total project cost. This would be worked up in detail and itemised by project stage for client approval after initial consultations have been completed. A nominal initial consultation fee may be charged but would be offset against the final fees on appointment.
How much does it cost for a planting design?
Fees for planting design alone would be calculated at a fixed rate dependent on requirement and after discussion with client on site during an initial consultation.
Help us visualise how to set a budget?
Setting a realistic budget is important. A garden designer will design to the budget. Before buying a car and getting to the showroom a decision has been made. Deciding on a sporty hatchback is very different to executive saloon. Expectations have been managed and refined, similar when considering the budget for a garden.
Could we not design and build our own garden?
Gardens require time, a precious commodity amongst successful people, and are about time (the fourth dimension) in creation and development. Creating a new garden is likely to be a labour of love. Working many hours a week, the weekends are precious time. As an example if 3 contractors working 5 days a week with all their experience and equipment took 4 weeks to construct this equates to 30 full weekends without distraction or problems.
How long might the process to design and build take with a garden designer?
It is sensible to consider that from the initial consultations through developing the concept design, detailed design and implementation at least 12 weeks should be allowed depending on site and size. Of course this can be shorter or longer in duration, the key is to not expect it next week.
Who actually will build the garden?
Accredited, respected professional contractors (BALI/APL) will always have busy schedules.
What might impact building the garden?
Building and construction for a garden will be dependent on the weather and the seasons as is planting a garden. In the United Kingdom delays are usually not significant, contractors and designers are able to offer professional advice for each project. High specification elements might need to be bespoke.
What will impact the costs of a garden?
Large mature specimen plants cost more than small. York stone paving is more expensive than prefabricated slabs.
Materials and the desired finish will affect the budget. Lighting and water; sculpture, structures and buildings increase costs. They all add complexity as well.
Materials and the desired finish will affect the budget. Lighting and water; sculpture, structures and buildings increase costs. They all add complexity as well.
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