What Happens When You Hire a Garden Designer?
If you’re considering calling in the experts to get your outside space in order, here’s what to expect from the process
Victoria Harrison
30 May 2021
Editor, Houzz UK and Ireland
So you’ve decided to employ the expert help of a professional garden designer, but you’re unsure of what the process will entail? You might be anxious that it will be out of your budget, or that a designer will think your project is too small.
As part of our Garden Planning guide, three garden designers share what to expect when you work with a professional to help you decide whether it’s right for you.
Professional advice from: Claudia de Yong of Claudia de Yong Garden Design; Fiona Green of Green Tree Garden Design; Simon Orchard of Simon Orchard Garden Design
Beginning your garden project? Read How to Start a Garden Redesign
As part of our Garden Planning guide, three garden designers share what to expect when you work with a professional to help you decide whether it’s right for you.
Professional advice from: Claudia de Yong of Claudia de Yong Garden Design; Fiona Green of Green Tree Garden Design; Simon Orchard of Simon Orchard Garden Design
Beginning your garden project? Read How to Start a Garden Redesign
How does a first meeting usually work?
The first meeting is an opportunity for you and the designer to get together – either in person or over a video call – to see how you connect. “It’s also a chance for a designer to get a good idea of your likes and dislikes and what you’re looking for with a new design,” Claudia de Yong says.
“It’s important for the designer to see the garden’s existing layout, any constraints, such as neighbouring buildings blocking light or views, and the lie of the land,” she explains.
Fiona Green adds, “Most designers will visit your garden to meet you and find out more about what you want from your ‘new’ garden. They’ll also use the opportunity to explain how they work and perhaps talk you through their portfolio.”
Tempted to tackle your plot? Find a local garden designer to help you with your outdoor project.
The first meeting is an opportunity for you and the designer to get together – either in person or over a video call – to see how you connect. “It’s also a chance for a designer to get a good idea of your likes and dislikes and what you’re looking for with a new design,” Claudia de Yong says.
“It’s important for the designer to see the garden’s existing layout, any constraints, such as neighbouring buildings blocking light or views, and the lie of the land,” she explains.
Fiona Green adds, “Most designers will visit your garden to meet you and find out more about what you want from your ‘new’ garden. They’ll also use the opportunity to explain how they work and perhaps talk you through their portfolio.”
Tempted to tackle your plot? Find a local garden designer to help you with your outdoor project.
How long should it last?
“I find these meetings can take up to a couple of hours,” Fiona says. “Some designers charge for them, some don’t. There isn’t really a hard and fast rule.
“I think it’s important to establish a really good rapport at this meeting,” she adds, “as the success of the project will very much be based on how well you communicate with your designer.”
However, if a designer can’t come out to the initial meeting, they might choose to get a lot of early information over the phone instead, according to Simon Orchard.
“The initial meeting is usually a top-line discussion and a talk through the process,” he says. “[The reason for this is that], until a client has signed up, a designer is likely to keep design ideas close to their chest!”
More: How to Choose a Garden Designer
“I find these meetings can take up to a couple of hours,” Fiona says. “Some designers charge for them, some don’t. There isn’t really a hard and fast rule.
“I think it’s important to establish a really good rapport at this meeting,” she adds, “as the success of the project will very much be based on how well you communicate with your designer.”
However, if a designer can’t come out to the initial meeting, they might choose to get a lot of early information over the phone instead, according to Simon Orchard.
“The initial meeting is usually a top-line discussion and a talk through the process,” he says. “[The reason for this is that], until a client has signed up, a designer is likely to keep design ideas close to their chest!”
More: How to Choose a Garden Designer
Who’s your average client?
“My clients vary so much in terms of what I’m asked to do, but I mainly work on gardens that have been neglected over the years and need completely replanning,” Claudia says.
Fiona adds, “Many of my clients are reclaiming their garden after their children have grown up and the football pitch/trampoline are no longer required.”
When it comes to a standard type of client, Simon says that, for him, there’s “no such thing. It could be a young couple with a small courtyard garden looking for something cool and contemporary, a family garden for kids, or a large, rural garden for empty nesters enjoying their retirement.
“Every client has a different need,” he says. “A good designer should be able to cater for all tastes and styles and not be pushing a client too far out of their comfort zone with a style that isn’t right for them.”
“My clients vary so much in terms of what I’m asked to do, but I mainly work on gardens that have been neglected over the years and need completely replanning,” Claudia says.
Fiona adds, “Many of my clients are reclaiming their garden after their children have grown up and the football pitch/trampoline are no longer required.”
When it comes to a standard type of client, Simon says that, for him, there’s “no such thing. It could be a young couple with a small courtyard garden looking for something cool and contemporary, a family garden for kids, or a large, rural garden for empty nesters enjoying their retirement.
“Every client has a different need,” he says. “A good designer should be able to cater for all tastes and styles and not be pushing a client too far out of their comfort zone with a style that isn’t right for them.”
Can I ask to see previous work or references?
“I always point clients to my portfolio and send them example sketch designs,” Simon says. “I also have plenty of past clients who are happy to speak to [potential clients] and even show them their gardens.”
Fiona agrees, but adds, “Bear in mind the designer will have to check with the previous clients that they’re happy to talk to you. A garden visit will have to be arranged with the homeowner concerned.”
While Claudia understands the importance of people checking references, she says, “A great deal of the time it’s about the right fit in terms of personality when choosing a designer.
“Ultimately, it’s a partnership between you and the designer,” she says. “You want to feel comfortable and secure in the knowledge you’ve chosen the right professional fit and that the designer fully understands your wishes. A good designer will guide you through the process step by step.”
“I always point clients to my portfolio and send them example sketch designs,” Simon says. “I also have plenty of past clients who are happy to speak to [potential clients] and even show them their gardens.”
Fiona agrees, but adds, “Bear in mind the designer will have to check with the previous clients that they’re happy to talk to you. A garden visit will have to be arranged with the homeowner concerned.”
While Claudia understands the importance of people checking references, she says, “A great deal of the time it’s about the right fit in terms of personality when choosing a designer.
“Ultimately, it’s a partnership between you and the designer,” she says. “You want to feel comfortable and secure in the knowledge you’ve chosen the right professional fit and that the designer fully understands your wishes. A good designer will guide you through the process step by step.”
At what point should a client get in contact?
“The ideal time to ask a designer to look at your garden is when you’ve decided it’s time to have a fresh pair of eyes to help you understand your vision,” Claudia says. “Or if you have no idea where to start, to help create a wonderful space for you to enjoy.”
Fiona says, “If you’re having a substantial renovation or even building a new house from scratch, then getting the garden designer involved at the outset is a good idea.
“It may make sense to get the groundworks done by the builder and then leave the garden until the house/extension has been completed before getting the garden built,” she adds.
“Bear in mind,” she warns, “that having your garden professionally designed and landscaped is a lengthy process, and is likely to take several months, if not years, so plenty of notice is always appreciated.”
“The ideal time to ask a designer to look at your garden is when you’ve decided it’s time to have a fresh pair of eyes to help you understand your vision,” Claudia says. “Or if you have no idea where to start, to help create a wonderful space for you to enjoy.”
Fiona says, “If you’re having a substantial renovation or even building a new house from scratch, then getting the garden designer involved at the outset is a good idea.
“It may make sense to get the groundworks done by the builder and then leave the garden until the house/extension has been completed before getting the garden built,” she adds.
“Bear in mind,” she warns, “that having your garden professionally designed and landscaped is a lengthy process, and is likely to take several months, if not years, so plenty of notice is always appreciated.”
What’s the best time of year to start planning a garden makeover?
“I’d recommend late autumn as a good time to really get planning for the following year,” Claudia says. “Good garden designers and landscapers are booked up well in advance and gardens need planning properly, so it’s best to get in contact at the soonest point possible.”
Simon agrees. “A lot of clients wait until the first sign of warm weather in the spring before picking up the phone, hoping for a finished garden ready for the summer,” he says. “On a complete redesign and build, this is seldom possible and clients end up disappointed.”
More: How Far in Advance Should I Hire a Garden Designer?
“I’d recommend late autumn as a good time to really get planning for the following year,” Claudia says. “Good garden designers and landscapers are booked up well in advance and gardens need planning properly, so it’s best to get in contact at the soonest point possible.”
Simon agrees. “A lot of clients wait until the first sign of warm weather in the spring before picking up the phone, hoping for a finished garden ready for the summer,” he says. “On a complete redesign and build, this is seldom possible and clients end up disappointed.”
More: How Far in Advance Should I Hire a Garden Designer?
Why is it sometimes such a long process?
“It’s not just the design process that takes time; any decent landscape contractor is likely to be quoting two to four months lead time,” Simon explains. “Six months is a practical time frame; longer for bigger projects.”
If you end up leaving it too late, though, don’t despair. “In an ideal world, you’d get the garden built over the winter, ready for planting in the spring,” Fiona says. “But, in reality, the gardens are designed and built year round, and planted in the autumn, spring or early summer.”
“It’s not just the design process that takes time; any decent landscape contractor is likely to be quoting two to four months lead time,” Simon explains. “Six months is a practical time frame; longer for bigger projects.”
If you end up leaving it too late, though, don’t despair. “In an ideal world, you’d get the garden built over the winter, ready for planting in the spring,” Fiona says. “But, in reality, the gardens are designed and built year round, and planted in the autumn, spring or early summer.”
Will you judge my existing garden if it’s a mess?
“I would never judge an existing garden, whether it was a mess or it wasn’t to my taste,” Claudia says. “I’d never dictate a style and I like to get a feel for the landscape and architecture and how you wish to live with it and use it.”
“I’ve had several clients who’ve been very concerned about this,” Fiona says, “and it really doesn’t matter. Personally, I love the process of transforming a mess into a beautiful space and also watching my clients enjoy the garden once it’s been completed. So in some ways, the messier, the better!”
“The messier the better,” Simon agrees, “as it essentially means a blank canvas and no restraints, so a designer can really get their creativity going.”
“I would never judge an existing garden, whether it was a mess or it wasn’t to my taste,” Claudia says. “I’d never dictate a style and I like to get a feel for the landscape and architecture and how you wish to live with it and use it.”
“I’ve had several clients who’ve been very concerned about this,” Fiona says, “and it really doesn’t matter. Personally, I love the process of transforming a mess into a beautiful space and also watching my clients enjoy the garden once it’s been completed. So in some ways, the messier, the better!”
“The messier the better,” Simon agrees, “as it essentially means a blank canvas and no restraints, so a designer can really get their creativity going.”
What levels of design do you offer?
“I give my clients a variety of options,” Claudia says. “Some people choose a complete package of services, from full garden design, which includes hard landscape design, product and plant sourcing, a planting plan, and project supervision; others may want me to source and plant or style existing features.
“I also offer a consultancy service where we take stock of your own garden’s potential and I can suggest ideas and re-style areas, source new furniture/pots/plants or simply reposition what you already have. Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes makes a big difference.”
“I offer all levels,” Fiona says, “from a simple layout plan to a fully detailed design project with all the necessary drawings to take your garden from an unloved space to the finished product.”
Simon says, “I can provide everything from a consultation if clients don’t want a full design through to complete survey, design, detailed construction drawings, planting plans and lighting. I can also source and supply plants and oversee the build, as well as tendering the job out to landscape contractors.”
“I give my clients a variety of options,” Claudia says. “Some people choose a complete package of services, from full garden design, which includes hard landscape design, product and plant sourcing, a planting plan, and project supervision; others may want me to source and plant or style existing features.
“I also offer a consultancy service where we take stock of your own garden’s potential and I can suggest ideas and re-style areas, source new furniture/pots/plants or simply reposition what you already have. Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes makes a big difference.”
“I offer all levels,” Fiona says, “from a simple layout plan to a fully detailed design project with all the necessary drawings to take your garden from an unloved space to the finished product.”
Simon says, “I can provide everything from a consultation if clients don’t want a full design through to complete survey, design, detailed construction drawings, planting plans and lighting. I can also source and supply plants and oversee the build, as well as tendering the job out to landscape contractors.”
How involved can I be?
“You can be as involved as you wish to be in a garden design,” Claudia says. “I like to work as a partnership with my clients. This is, after all, your garden and dream space, and I want you to feel you’re part of the design process.”
Fiona says, “I’ve had clients who’ve really enjoyed the whole process, and have wanted to get as involved as possible. Sometimes, they’ve helped with the planting, although no one has yet offered to lay bricks or mix cement!”
Simon says, “It really helps the designer if you have an idea of the type of thing you’re after or a checklist of elements. A Houzz ideabook is great.
“But don’t try to design the garden – let the designer do that. And when giving feedback to a design or concept, let the designer know if you don’t like certain elements and tell them why, but try not to come up with the solution yourself… That’s what you pay the designer for.”
“You can be as involved as you wish to be in a garden design,” Claudia says. “I like to work as a partnership with my clients. This is, after all, your garden and dream space, and I want you to feel you’re part of the design process.”
Fiona says, “I’ve had clients who’ve really enjoyed the whole process, and have wanted to get as involved as possible. Sometimes, they’ve helped with the planting, although no one has yet offered to lay bricks or mix cement!”
Simon says, “It really helps the designer if you have an idea of the type of thing you’re after or a checklist of elements. A Houzz ideabook is great.
“But don’t try to design the garden – let the designer do that. And when giving feedback to a design or concept, let the designer know if you don’t like certain elements and tell them why, but try not to come up with the solution yourself… That’s what you pay the designer for.”
How do fees work?
“I follow The Society of Garden Designers’ fee structure and always charge fixed fees, so a client knows what they’re up for,” Simon says.
Coming up with a concept and masterplan is the first stage, he says, “followed by detailed construction drawings and planting plans. A client can also pay a fee for me to organise tenders and oversee the build.”
There are many different fee structures out there, Fiona says, “but often you’ll be charged a flat fee for the design [sometimes called the ‘presentation plan’].
“Next, all the design detailing, such as specifications, construction drawings, setting out drawings, ground level drawings, planting plans, lighting plans, project monitoring and so on, is done as a percentage of the construction cost for the garden,” she says. “The planting out stage is sometimes done at an hourly rate.”
More: How Much Would it Cost to Redesign My Garden?
“I follow The Society of Garden Designers’ fee structure and always charge fixed fees, so a client knows what they’re up for,” Simon says.
Coming up with a concept and masterplan is the first stage, he says, “followed by detailed construction drawings and planting plans. A client can also pay a fee for me to organise tenders and oversee the build.”
There are many different fee structures out there, Fiona says, “but often you’ll be charged a flat fee for the design [sometimes called the ‘presentation plan’].
“Next, all the design detailing, such as specifications, construction drawings, setting out drawings, ground level drawings, planting plans, lighting plans, project monitoring and so on, is done as a percentage of the construction cost for the garden,” she says. “The planting out stage is sometimes done at an hourly rate.”
More: How Much Would it Cost to Redesign My Garden?
Can I afford it?
“The hardest question for anyone to answer is how much will it cost,” Claudia says. But there are a few ways to break the cost down for clarity.
“Each element of a design can be separated, so you can see what you’re likely to spend depending on which service you require,” she says.
“From a designer’s point of view, it’s much easier if you have a rough idea of what you ultimately want to spend on your garden. This helps the designer give you the best possible options for the budget.”
As for potential unseen costs that should be considered, Claudia flags up the price of removing waste and hiring skips, and notes that costs can vary when it comes to choosing hard landscaping elements.
Fiona says, “I often liken getting a garden designer involved to getting an architect involved in a house project. You’ll be paying upfront fees to get a very well thought through, detailed and planned solution to your requirements.
“This will also mean you’ll have much more clarity about what the project will cost once all the design details have been drawn up,” she says. “My clients are often surprised at how much work is required in doing all this.”
“Gardens aren’t cheap,” Simon agrees. “People think they walk out through their bifold doors and suddenly it gets cheaper, but labour is labour and materials are materials. I tell clients to think of it like doing their kitchen, and if they can spend £15,000 on a 3m x 3m kitchen, you can begin to understand why you can easily hit £20,000 on a small garden.”
But if you think of your garden as an extension of your home and a space for you to enjoy for years to come, it helps to put potential fees into perspective.
As Claudia says, “A well-designed garden is an investment for you and your property that will bring you years of enjoyment and happiness.”
Tell us…
Have you worked with a garden designer? Or are you tempted to hire one, even for just a part of your project? Share your thoughts and experiences in the Comments.
“The hardest question for anyone to answer is how much will it cost,” Claudia says. But there are a few ways to break the cost down for clarity.
“Each element of a design can be separated, so you can see what you’re likely to spend depending on which service you require,” she says.
“From a designer’s point of view, it’s much easier if you have a rough idea of what you ultimately want to spend on your garden. This helps the designer give you the best possible options for the budget.”
As for potential unseen costs that should be considered, Claudia flags up the price of removing waste and hiring skips, and notes that costs can vary when it comes to choosing hard landscaping elements.
Fiona says, “I often liken getting a garden designer involved to getting an architect involved in a house project. You’ll be paying upfront fees to get a very well thought through, detailed and planned solution to your requirements.
“This will also mean you’ll have much more clarity about what the project will cost once all the design details have been drawn up,” she says. “My clients are often surprised at how much work is required in doing all this.”
“Gardens aren’t cheap,” Simon agrees. “People think they walk out through their bifold doors and suddenly it gets cheaper, but labour is labour and materials are materials. I tell clients to think of it like doing their kitchen, and if they can spend £15,000 on a 3m x 3m kitchen, you can begin to understand why you can easily hit £20,000 on a small garden.”
But if you think of your garden as an extension of your home and a space for you to enjoy for years to come, it helps to put potential fees into perspective.
As Claudia says, “A well-designed garden is an investment for you and your property that will bring you years of enjoyment and happiness.”
Tell us…
Have you worked with a garden designer? Or are you tempted to hire one, even for just a part of your project? Share your thoughts and experiences in the Comments.
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East London nr Excel.
Ah I see. I’m based in Devon. Don’t give up on having a design for your garden. There are many Garden Designers in the South East. The one for you is out there somewhere. All the best. Jacquie.
I totally agree with User, above. Not sure why I didn’t see this article at the time! The trend for hard surfaces in ‘garden design’ to suit ‘clients’ needs’ is, in my opinion, entirely unethical unless it considers and respects the life already present in the garden (much of it invisible and invaluable), and encourages biodiversity, which we are losing at a frightening pace. Loss of green gardens, front and back, is contributing to the fragmentation of habitat and micro habitats (which most people are unaware of).
I am no angel. Only relatively recently have I learned the folly of what I did to my own garden. But at least I have learned. And I weep.