Frequently Asked Questions
Landscape Design Experts & Creators
We get asked a lot of questions, and we think that’s a good thing. It means you’re thinking carefully before you commit. Here are the ones that come up most. If yours isn’t here, just give us a call or drop us an email and we’ll be straight with you.
Getting Started
How do we get started
The first step is a short introductory call, usually 15 to 20 minutes. We’ll talk through your project, your site, your budget, and your timeline to make sure we’re a good fit before anyone commits to anything.
From there, we’ll arrange a longer, more in-depth video consultation. It’s really important that all decision-makers attend this call, so we’re all working from the same picture from the start.
If it feels right on both sides, we’ll send you a Design Fee Proposal straight after the video consultation, then book your on-site consultation in with our design team. That’s when we come to you, walk the garden, and start building a proper picture of what you need.
Book your introductory call here.
What happens on the first call?
It’s relaxed and informal. No hard sell, no pressure. We want to understand what you’re trying to achieve, what’s not working about the garden right now, and whether the scope and budget are realistic.
By the end of the call, you’ll have a clear sense of how we work, what the process looks like, and what the next step would be. Most people find it genuinely useful, even if they’re not ready to move forward straight away.
Who do you work with?
Most of our clients are premium property homeowners who’ve invested significantly in their property and want the garden to match. They’re not looking for the cheapest option. They want it done properly, with a clear process, great communication, and an outcome they’re proud of.
We work across South East England, London, the Home Counties, and further afield for the right projects. If you’re not sure whether you’re the right fit, just get in touch.
The Design Process
What's your process?
We follow a structured eight-phase process, from initial consultation through to handover. Here’s how it works:
Introduction. It starts with an introductory call, then a video consultation, and then we send you a Design Fee Proposal. This is where we get to know each other and make sure the project is the right fit on both sides.
Phase 1: Design Consultation and Survey. We come to you (or run a second video consultation for remote design clients). An on-site consultation, a written design brief for your approval, a services agreement, a full topographical survey, and a detailed site analysis. This is the foundation everything else is built on.
Phase 2: Concept Design. We produce a sketch plan showing the overall layout, an associated mood board, and initial draft costings. We meet to present, take your feedback, and carry out the first round of revisions.
Phase 3: Developed Design. The design is developed further. A refined concept plan, developed mood boards, full 3D visuals, and a showroom visit so you can see and touch the materials in person. We present again, take feedback, and revise.
Phase 4: Design Detail. The full technical package. Master plan, surfaces and quantities plan, planting plans, construction and hard landscaping details, product and material specification, irrigation and drainage plan, boundaries plan, lighting design with 3D visuals, final project costings, and a third round of revisions. This is the document your contractor builds from.
Phase 5: Landscaping Proposal. We introduce you to our landscaping team or preferred contractors, hold an on-site meeting, review final quotes, and work through phasing and value engineering.
Phase 6: Landscaping Build. We project manage the build. Works schedule, plant sourcing and supply, monitoring and oversight throughout.
Phase 7: Maintenance Schedule. We produce a maintenance schedule and introduce you to a maintenance contractor.
Phase 8: Handover. Final review, snagging list, sign-off.
Design-only clients complete the process at the end of Phase 4. The full design package is ready to hand to any contractor you choose.
What's included in the garden design?
A lot more than most people expect. By the time we reach the end of Phase 4, you’ll have:
- A full master plan and setting-out plan
- Surfaces and quantities plan
- Planting plans and soft landscaping details
- Construction and hard landscaping details
- Product and material specification
- Irrigation and drainage plan
- Boundaries plan and edging plan
- Lighting design with 3D visuals
- Indicative guide costings for every element of your project
- Three rounds of revisions built in throughout
This includes everything you could possibly need to landscape the garden to the highest standard. Every plan is produced to a level of detail that allows a contractor to price and build accurately. No guesswork, no surprises.
How long does the design take?
Each phase typically takes two to six weeks, depending on the complexity of the project and how quickly feedback comes back. In our experience, the biggest impact on timelines comes from delays in arranging meetings and client feedback. The more responsive you are, the faster we move.
From the on-site consultation to a completed design package, including all meetings, revisions, and your showroom visit, most projects take three to six months in total.
We don’t rush it. Getting the design right before anything is built on site is what protects your budget and your outcome.
How do I know what it'll look like before we commit to building?
That’s exactly what Phase 3 is for. Before you sign off on anything, you’ll see detailed 3D visuals of your garden. Realistic renders that show materials, planting, lighting, and layout in context. You’ll also visit our showroom to see and touch the materials we’re specifying.
Most clients tell us the 3D visuals are the moment it clicks. You stop guessing and start seeing the project come to life.
Phase 4 goes even further, producing the full technical drawings and specifications, especially once you’ve chosen your favourite materials from our showroom. That level of detail is primarily for your contractor to ensure accurate costing and construction, but many clients find it genuinely fascinating too.
Do you work alongside architects?
Yes, regularly. We’re used to coordinating with architects, interior designers, and project managers. We have our own tried-and-tested systems and processes for doing so, and we stick to what we know works best for your garden.
The earlier we’re brought in alongside the architect, the better. It means levels, access, drainage, and finishes are all planned together rather than bolted on at the end. It works best when all parties stay in their lane and stick to what you’ve appointed them for. There’s no point in a client paying for the same service twice, or having to manage numerous different opinions on the same decisions. Architects focus on the house. We focus on everything outside.
If your architect is still working on the house plans, that’s actually the ideal time to start the garden design. The two inform each other more than most people realise.
Fees and Budgets
How much does the design cost?
Design fees are confirmed following your on-site consultation, once we have a clear picture of the size, complexity, and scope of your project. We don’t offer partial design services. Every project includes the full package, from concept through to construction-ready drawings and costings.
To get started, we charge a Project Initiation Fee of £3,000 + VAT, payable after the initial introduction phase. This covers your on-site consultation, topographical survey, written design brief, and mobilisation of the design team. It’s deducted from your overall design fee once the project scope is confirmed.
We’ll give you a clear Design Fee Proposal before anything is confirmed. No surprises. If you’d like a sense of what’s involved before booking a call, take a look at our process page.
How much will the landscaping cost?
| Garden Size | Foundation | Signature | Prestige |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (up to 100m2) | From £20,000 | From £40,000 | From £60,000 |
| Medium (100-250m2) | From £40,000 | From £70,000 | From £100,000 |
| Large (250 to 500m2) | From £60,000 | From £100,000 | From £150,000 |
| Extra Large (500m2+) | From £100,000 | From £150,000 | From £200,000+ |
Why does the design cost what it does?
Because it’s not just drawings.
A full design package from us includes spatial planning, technical problem-solving, material strategy, detailed construction drawings, planting design, lighting design, 3D visualisation, and project costings. All produced to a standard that a contractor can build from accurately. And let’s not forget the years of combined studio experience, knowledge, and tried-and-tested processes behind every project.
Good design almost always saves more than it costs. It means decisions are made on paper, not on site. It means your contractor has a clear specification to price against. And it means you know exactly what you’re getting before a single spade hits the ground.
To be frank, we’re often incomparable to other designers and studios, particularly graduates and one-man bands. The depth of what we deliver, our showroom, our network, and the process we follow, is in a different category.
Can we phase the landscaping project to manage costs?
Yes, and we’d actively encourage it for larger projects. The design process includes guidance on phasing and value engineering your landscaping as standard. Once the full design is complete, we’ll work with you to identify which elements to build first, which to defer, and how to sequence the project intelligently.
You get the full vision upfront. You build it at a pace that works for you.
Landscaping and Build
Do you carry out the landscaping as well as the design?
Yes. We offer a full end-to-end service, from first sketch through to completed garden. Our in-house landscaping team handles projects within approximately one hour of our Chichester studio, and we’re expanding our coverage. For projects further afield, we work with a carefully vetted network of preferred contractors who are selected specifically for your project based on size, location, and specialism.
All contractors are fully vetted, experienced, and typically members of landscaping governing bodies. We provide project management, project monitoring, site inspections, and oversight throughout the build. Our level of involvement is tailored to your specific project and what you require. One point of contact from start to finish.
Can you provide the design only, without the landscaping?
Absolutely. Design-only commissions make up around a third of what we do. Once Phase 4 is complete, you receive the full design package. Every plan, drawing, and specification you need to go out to tender with any contractor of your choice.
Many clients use this route when they have an existing relationship with a builder or past landscaper, or when they want to manage the build themselves. The design is yours. We just make sure it’s done to a standard that gives you the best possible outcome, whoever builds it.
Our showroom is also open for us to supply your chosen materials directly to the project, which is a great option for keeping us involved and ensuring the finished result matches what you imagined.
How long does the landscaping take?
Most average-sized builds take three to four months from the point the design is complete and the contractor is mobilised. Larger or more complex projects can obviously take longer. We’ll give you a realistic programme at the landscaping proposal stage, before any work begins.
We also have a wide network of specialist trades and partners who can be scheduled in to support a project where required.
When can you start the build?
Build slots are planned around design completion and contractor availability. We work on a first-come, first-served basis. Demand is high and popular slots fill up quickly, particularly for spring and summer starts. The earlier you begin the design process, the more flexibility you’ll have on timing.
If you have a specific deadline in mind, a milestone birthday, a summer event, a house sale, tell us at the start and we’ll plan around it. It’s worth noting that we work all year round, and there are genuine pros and cons to every season.
Do you offer landscaping only, without a design?
We don’t take on landscaping-only projects. Every build we’re involved in is design-led. That’s what ensures the quality and outcome we’re known for.
Think of it this way: would you build a house without a full architect’s design package? It’s a significant investment, and that’s exactly why we start with an in-depth, detailed design process first and foremost.
If you already have a completed design from another designer, we’re happy to discuss whether it’s something we can build.