Front garden and driveway advice - who to ask?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Does anyone know who I should approach to give me advice on my front garden and driveway layout?

Its rather tricky to get it all on here, as the land slopes down towards the house and there are retaining walls etc to consider.

Should I ask a landscape architect, landscape gardener, or just go to a driveway installer? Really want it to suit the house and be functional.

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Comments (3)

PRO
Dale Loth Architects
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I'd say your safest bet is a landscape architect, who would have the necessary expertise, if necessary also involving a structural engineer. Alternative approaches may seem cheaper, at least initially.
PRO
Garden Design Guru
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Most trained and experienced Garden Designers would be suitable although you ought to be checking that they have Professional Indemnity Insurance. Many may also be Landscape Architects. If you go to the Society of Garden Designers website then all the Fully Registered Members have Professional Indemnity Insurance and have been carefully vetted.

A Landscape Architect will be very comfortable with the structural elements but very often they are not so experienced or educated on plants as a Garden Designer.

The issues with using the company doing the work to also provide a design could be that design is not their forte and perhaps that they will favour certain materials, styles, methods etc. because they often use them. This may not be an issue if you have seen their work and you like it. Here again though a worthy professional ought be carrying Professional Indemnity Insurance (Please note this is quite different from Public Liability Insurance and some people confuse the two).

It would be best to speak to a few possible candidates and set a realistic budget if you can. Measure up and do some maths.
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A S
7 years ago
Hi, Whilst itd be most appropriate to talk to a landscape architect/garden designer (especially if you want specialist gardening advice), you could ask on Houzz as many offer sound advice.

if you don't mind me asking,
approximately, how large is the space?
and what sort off look are you trying to achieve? Do you want a full drive, tarmac, paving, concrete, a combination, etc.

Good Luck xx

Front garden and driveway advice - who to ask?

Comments (3)

Dale Loth Architects

Garden Design Guru

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