Do I need groundworks or a garden designer?

3 years ago

Hi there,
I have a nightmare garden - steeply sloping and currently unusable.
We understand it’s going to take considerable budget to get right but we’re desperate to reclaim our outdoor space.
The question is, without a clear idea of what’s possible, we’d love a garden designer, but really it’s going to be a very labour intensive job, with structural considerations, so do we need a groundworks company? Or both?!
We struggled to get quotes from a landscape gardener, and perhaps that’s because the job was too large for them.
Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

Sonia

3 years ago

Many Garden Designers have landscapers they call on to do the hard landscaping, terracing, even the planting. If the site is complex then I would go down that route. It’s not cheap but you could get the garden designed and landscaped and get a planting plan then plant it yourself. Or even cheaper, share some photos and see if we can help!

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Comments (10)

Emma Garwood
Original Author
3 years ago
Haha, thank you Sonia! Well, you asked for it! Here's a very upsetting, seemingly one way round before and after. The neat looking pics are from 4.5 years ago, and then you'll see what earth and weather have done to it. We have an application in progress at the moment to replace the two large sycamores which scare the living daylights out of us.
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Sonia
3 years ago
I see what you mean, gulp! Very challenging but my first thought was the trees need to go as they are like blots on the landscape, but you’re onto it. Thing is with sycamores, they self seed all over the place so that may be why they have grown in your garden. There is a story on Houzz where people landscaped a very wild and tiered garden so I will try and find it so you can have a look. I think, as you probably suspect, it is beyond our skills and you do need a garden designer to design and complete the work. Houzz does have links to Professionals and have a Find a Professional section at the top of the page. I suggest you search this via the website rather than the App which isn’t easy to use. On the website search garden designers and it will list ones in your area, photos of past work as well as customer reviews and price guidelines. I wish you lots of luck.
Sonia
3 years ago
Hi Emma, found the article about the sloping garden. I’ve taken a screen shot as I’m unsure how to share it as a link. But if you go to search above and type in the title of the article I hope it will come up.
Emma Garwood
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks so much Sonia - I’d found that article too! Very inspiring to see what’s achievable.
Really appreciate your time and advice. You’re right about those sycamores - they’re dominant, and currently unsafe.
Richard L
3 years ago
I love the last picture - that really is 'hating' the slope and laying it on thick :)

Good luck with the redesign.
Rowland
3 years ago
hi Emma,

I think you probably need to engage the services of a structural engineer to allow you to work out retaining walls details, that include drainage solutions for ground water etc.

there are a multitude of options, so together with a landscape designer you can get a very interesting garden. you are fortunate to be able to have good views over houses without the problems that many have with overlooking issues.

best
Rowland
Emma Garwood
Original Author
3 years ago
Yes I think you’re right, Rowland! I wish I had any experience or knowledge in these areas - I can’t help but feel out of my depth!
PRO
AGI Landscapes
3 years ago
That looks a very exciting project and I agree with both Sonia and Rowland, the trees need to go and a structural engineer working along side a designer for the retaining walls is a must.

I would not go down the timber retaining walls again, but a good quality hardwood deck with glass balustrade would look fantastic as a viewing and dining platform.

For the walls I would go down natural stone and concrete block work with lots of cascading plants and maybe a small stream/cascade flowing down the slope for a gentle sound of running water (looking natural). Nice steps zig zagging there way up to different levels.

Try to terrace the lower lawn area to create a more relaxed zone for play and seating.

Hope this gets you thinking more.
Richard L
3 years ago
Large trees will be pulling large amounts water out of the ground and potentially stabilising it physically on the slope.

Take care if you remove them.

Do I need groundworks or a garden designer?

Sonia

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