Our Process
Our Step-by-Step Garden Design Process: From Concept to Completion
Getting Started
Introduction
- Introductory Call
- Video Consultation
- Design Fee Proposal
We begin with an introductory call, addressing your initial questions and ensuring compatibility. Following this, we schedule a video consultation where we assess your garden, explain our process, showcase our design projects, and present your custom design fee proposal.
Phase 1
Design Consultation & Survey
- On-Site Consultation
- Written Design Brief
- Services Agreement
- Site Analysis
- Topographical Survey
We start with an on-site consultation to cover your thoughts and ideas and to obtain a thorough understanding of your aspirations and needs for your garden.
A written design brief is emailed to you for your approval which will include everything on your wishlist. Once approved, this becomes our written instructions for starting your design.
A Services Agreement is sent to you for your approval and signature. This document includes the terms and contract between us.
We will arrange for our third-party surveyors to conduct a topographical survey. This highly detailed measured survey provides an accurate depiction of the site and topography.
Phase 2
Concept Design
- Sketch Plan
- Mood Board
- Initial Draft Costings
- Design Presentation & Feedback
- Revision – One
An annotated 2D sketch plan is produced showing an overview of your new design layout and how we have incorporated your wishlist and design brief requirements.
An associated mood board is completed to show you our initial thoughts and to help you visualise your concept design.
Draft plans are completed to supply initial costings, which include a surfaces plan, features and furniture and boundaries and edging plans.
Costs at this stage are based on average costs taken from all of our past completed projects and industry-led data.
We meet in person or via video call to discuss your new design in depth. We carry out a one full round of revisions, before moving on to the next phase, making sure you’re happy with the updated sketch plan.
Before moving on to the next phase, we’ll make sure you’re happy with the updated sketch plan.
Phase 3
Developed Design
- Concept Plan
- Developed Mood Boards
- 3D Visuals
- Design Presentation & Feedback
- Showroom Visit
- Revision – Two
A fully annotated, to-scale and final 2D concept plan is produced showing a higher level of detail and all of the elements included within your new design.
Mood boards are developed further, linking the imagery to your new concept plan and displaying a clear vision of your new space.
Costs at this stage are based on average costs taken from all of our past completed projects and industry-led data.
Photo-realistic 3D visuals (also known as 3D renders or CGIs) are produced to show you important angles, views, vistas and areas of detail in virtual reality.
We typically meet at our showroom at this phase to discuss your new design and chosen materials. We’ll provide another full round of revisions adjusting your design accordingly.
Phase 4
Design Detail
- Master Plan & Setting Out Plan
- Surfaces & Quantities Plan
- Planting Plans & Soft Landscaping Details
- Construction & Hard Landscaping Details
- Product & Material Specifications
- Irrigation & Drainage Plans
- Boundaries Plan & Edging Plan
- Lighting Design & 3D Visuals
- Final Design Presentation & Feedback
- Final Project Costings
- Revision – Three
A master plan is the final annotated 2D plan providing an overview of the entire site. The master plan is used to develop further details outlined in the following design process, and is often used to zone or phase a project should this be required.
A setting out plan shows all of the new dimensions, ways of setting out, new heights and reference points across the garden. Material quantities are calculated and shown on a table correlating to your quantities plan.
Detailed planting plans are produced, showing a clear layout of each planting area, as well as the size, spacing and location of each plant or tree. A product and material specification is provided for every element within your new space.
We typically meet in person at our showroom at this stage (if not done so already) to discuss your design detail further and finalise material choices.
Final costs based on your adjusted plans are carried out and a third and final round of revisions and value engineering is carried out to make sure you’re happy before we move on.
PAUSE
At this point your design is considered complete and this is a good pause point, should you only require our design services. For the majority of our clients we typically move on to Phase 5 Landscaping Proposal.
Phase 5
Landscaping Proposal
- Landscaping Team Introduction
- On-Site Meeting
- Final Quote Review
- Phasing & Value Engineering
- Decision Deadline
- Landscaping Deposits & Initial Orders
- Plant Sourcing & Supply
At this stage we formally introduce you to our landscaping project manager and suitable landscaping team.
We arrange an on-site meeting for all parties to discuss your project, the final details and potential start dates.
We’ll review all final quotes making sure they have covered everything.
We work with you and our landscapers to ensure you’re comfortable with the final quotes before moving on.
Phase 6
Landscaping
- Project Managing & Monitoring
- Landscaping Works Schedule
- Plant Sourcing & Supply
- Material & Product Orders
We fully project manage our in-house landscaping team and projects local to our studio. For those further afield we can closely monitor and supervise your project alongside our main landscaping contractors until completion.
We’ll arrange site meetings and inspections, according to the work schedule and at logical stages as well as maintaining regular communication via messages, calls and email.
Our landscaping foreman or project manager is your daily contact for resolving any immediate and minor queries and we are on hand in the studio for everything else.
A project works schedule will be produced, we’ll review this to make sure the project is due to be completed within a reasonable time frame and assist in reducing this where possible.
Before our landscapers have carried out the finishing touches we’ll perform a final site visit to ensure everything has been completed to the highest of standards.
Phase 7
Maintenance Schedule
- Maintenance Schedule
- Introduction to Maintenance Contractor
- Project Handover
We’ll create a detailed maintenance schedule for you or your gardener to make sure your garden is always looking at its best.
We’ll set your garden up on ‘Shoot Gardening’, an online portal so your whole plant list and all care guides are at your fingertips.
This will cover everything from new perennials, to hedges and lawn care, removing the stress of what needs doing to keep the garden looking at it’s best year round.
If you require a new maintenance contractor once your garden is complete we can arrange this for you too.
By arranging your maintenance schedule and potential contractor, you have peace of mind that your garden and investment will be looked after for years to come.
Our Showroom
Immerse yourself in everything landscaping and design at our showroom, the perfect space to discuss, plan your project and pick your favorite materials.
For over twenty years we have curated a selection of landscaping materials and products from truly exceptional producers, artisans and suppliers across the UK and Europe – always keeping timeless style and sustainability in mind.
We supply the majority of our projects with landscaping products and materials whether you require just a design or a full design and build service.
Plant Sourcing & Supply
We work with the best growers, nurseries and suppliers in the UK and Europe.
We source any tree and plant species we specify, even some of the rarest species, shapes and sizes.
Delivery is arranged straight to site when our landscapers are ready for them, ensuring a smooth process with happy and healthy plants.
We typically inspect the delivery and also assist placing and positioning the plants and trees.
