Site Visit and Design Consultation

 

The initial consultation meeting is the time to discuss your garden project and exchange exciting ideas which will form the basis of the design brief. We meet with you and visit the site which enables us to assess the scope of desired work as well as the potential of your garden. During the meeting we will listen carefully to you and together, explore how you would like to use the garden, your preferences and wishes for the garden as well as styles, themes, timeframes, budget and other requirements. We will take photos of the site and some initial measurements. We can also show you examples of our previous designs and projects from our portfolio and answer any questions you may have about the design process. This meeting will allow us to provide you with an accurate price for a garden design commission. Following the meeting we will write up a brief for the design of the garden based on our discussions along with a quote for the design services required.

 

A fee of $108 is charged for this initial service and is fully refundable against the cost of a garden design commission. 

 

Site Survey and Analyses

 

We will conduct a survey of your garden that includes measuring the site, existing buildings, access points, windows and ground levels. We will also note the particular characteristics of the site such as existing features, trees, planting, soil type, boundaries, drains, water, access to site, views to enhance or obscure, as well as sun/light exposure levels and aspect. These will then be drawn up to scale as a base plan to enable us to develop the design. If the site is complex we might recommend that professional surveyor undertake this aspect of the work.

 

Preliminary Layout Design

 

We will then explore different ideas, concepts and options for the garden and present it to you in an outline plan format, drawn to scale, that shows areas of hard landscaping, plantings and other features. The design will combine the aesthetic and practical considerations outlined in the design brief to enhance enjoyment of your outside space. We will use images or sketches to help you visualize our proposed design. The drawings will be presented and discussed with you at an agreed time and date. This is a very creative process and the meeting is a two-way discussion between the client and designer.

 

Masterplan and Detail Drawings

 

Following the preliminary design meeting, a detailed plan of the whole site is produced. The drawing includes any changes to preliminary plan discussed and agreed at the meeting. This is a blueprint document for the garden installation and landscaping. The hardscaping information includes material specification and paving patterns. The masterplan also shows the planting locations of trees, hedges, shrubs, perennials, annuals and/or ground cover.

 

Construction of the Garden and Elevation drawings

 

The quality of workmanship is very important when realising your garden design. We can recommend trusted and professional landscapers who will provide quotes for the construction of the garden. We are also happy to work with your contractors or help you choose one. Liaison between the chosen contractor, client and designer will help to realize the full potential of the project. We can undertake either an advisory role for this stage or offer project management service. On some projects elevations drawings are required for construction of bespoke features. This will be quoted and agreed in advance.

 

Planting Design and Implementation

 

We can design full planting plans for renovations or new intalations - showing the position of each plant, its botannical and common name. A plant schedule detailing the quantity, botanical name and size of plants required will be prepared and sent to a number of high quality specialist nurseries to quote for supplying the plants. Once the plants have arrived on site we can provide a complete planting service or arrange them to be planted by you if desired.