So you want to create a beautiful garden?

From complete design & build projects to a planting refresh design, we create beautiful gardens that cater to a wide range of needs, budgets and every individual’s garden dreams. The relationship between us and our clients is critical to how we work and informs every garden we create. The first step in this journey is a phone conversation about your project, learning about you and what you are trying to create, when you would like this achieved and a guide budget. This just gives us an idea of what would be appropriate for your scheme – we always endeavour to give you ideas around this – meaning you can always add elements on at a later date! If you would like to move forward we can then plan the next steps.

The Initial Consultation

Every project starts with an initial site consultation where Mark can meet with you to chat through your dreams and aspirations, and explore with you the creative potential of the space. It is also an early opportunity to identify any possible planning requirements, practical constraints and desired timescales. The initial consultation costs between £50 - £360 depending on location. This exchange will form the client brief.

…

How much will my garden design cost?

Following the first visit we will return to you with a written copy of the brief together with a proposal of the services to be provided and a breakdown of the associated

costs. We are often asked ‘what is the typical cost of designing a garden?’ It does not necessarily depend on the garden’s size but a combination of factors – such as topography of the garden and complexity of design. As a guide the design fees for most private gardens will fall somewhere between £500 and £6,000. Mark, Trinity and our Design Team will work with you to bring your design to life, finding the right balance between aesthetics, practicality and budget.

…

What is included in my garden design?

1. Initial Consultation

Mark, alongside Trinity or Elaine, will meet you at your garden to discuss the project, talk about what you would like to achieve and outline any parameters such as timeline, budget and your required necessities.

2. Survey Stage

We will undertake a full photographic survey as a visual record. Alongside this, either us or a third party will undertake a topographical survey of existing levels, features, structures and plants. This information will be used as the underlay for the creative sketch designs.

3. Design Stage 1 - Sketch Plans

Two to three different designs, presented as hand-drawn sketches, will illustrate the design concepts combining functional, aesthetic and imaginative ideals from the brief. They will show proposed layouts and features giving indicative suggestions for planting and material types. Mark will present these plans to you and open a discussion that allows you to explore those ideas you feel best encapsulate your brief. The design may well evolve as part of this exchange – but this stage is covered by the fixed cost of the initial fee proposal. Any changes or revisions to come out of these discussions will be drawn together into a final sketch plan.

4. Design Stage 2 – Adjustment of Plans to final design

Once the design concept has been agreed, a detailed hard landscape plan will be produced. These plans will support any required planning applications, or be used to brief relevant specialist, suppliers or consultants.

5. Estimated Costs

We will provide an initial estimated cost for the project based on the design concept – this can give a range of prices which can be refined according to the selection of particular materials, features or planting.

6. Planting Plan

Detailed planting plans and schedules are produced upon completion of the sketch plans, once planting areas and indicative planting are established. We echo the dialogue of the concept stage collaborating with you every step of the way to ensure this critical stage delivers your brief.

7. Optional Flowering Calendar for proposed planting

We can provide a flowering calendar for your planting plan – this will indicate on a month by month basis which planting features are in leaf or flower at any given time. Some clients find this a useful tool in visualising how the garden might look across the seasons.

8. Specification and refined costings

Once the design and general layout and features have been agreed we would give a more refined estimated costs after having chosen materials, specifications and maturity of planting etc.

9. Optional Maintenance Guide

We are happy to create a garden maintenance guide for your chosen planting for you to use or for your current gardener.

10. On-going Garden Maintenance

Our sister company Mark Payne Garden Maintenance can work with you to establish an on-going maintenance programme, working at a high standard to ensure your garden looks its best all year round.

…

How much will my garden cost?

The cost of your garden is determined by many factors - from the size of the garden, bespoke features within the design and materials used, to practical aspects such as the access to the property, necessary equipment, and your location in relation to us. On average we find that smaller gardens cost between £15,000 to £30,000 and the largest schemes we have undertaken have been between £800,000 to £900,000. We talk to you about your budget and then aim to give options around this, with bespoke elements and options to choose from within different price brackets – so that you feel you can prioritise your spending on elements that are the most important to you. Once the design has been completed and decided upon, we will work up an estimated cost based on this design. We try to make this as accurate as possible – once the materials and specifications have been refined then this price can be further finalised. We take great pride in being as clear and upfront as possible, to avoid any large unexpected costs later in the project. Any changes in cost throughout the scheme, due to changes later in specification or additional features added, are always flagged at the earliest opportunity.

…

What locations do you cover?

Mark’s family originate from the Isle of Wight and he started his design business in Wiltshire, leaving many beautiful schemes in both locations. Now based in Arundel, our team covers the whole of East and West Sussex - our gardens take root in The Witterings, Chichester, Bosham and Petworth, taking form as far as Salisbury, London, Brighton and Petersfield. If you are interested in our design or build services please get in touch via email or phone to discuss your garden goals and how we might help you reach them.

…

Do you build your own gardens?

Yes; much like the design process, we tailor our build services to meet the client’s individual needs to bring their unique projects to life. Led by Mark, an expert in garden builds and project management, our trusted team of contractors and craftspeople work together to produce breathtaking results. Our different build and project management services are outlined below:

Design & build

Following on from the design process, we offer a complete garden build and project management service to bring Mark’s designs to life. By continuing the working relationship into the build phase, Mark can be personally involved in the construction of bespoke signature features. We manage our team of experts on site to bring you the highest quality service at every phase of the build project.

Build collaboration

It may be that you have already been through the design process but are looking for a contractor to bring it to life. We are happy to collaborate with your own designer to build gardens to pre-existing plans.

Project management

Should you prefer to build your garden yourself or appoint your own contractor we are happy to provide contract management or on-site supervision to ensure the integrity of the design concept and the smooth running of your project to both budget and schedule.

…

Can I get a design without a build?

Yes; every client and project is unique, so we offer a range of services to respond to your requirements and budget. Our design services range from full Garden Design to refreshing your existing garden with new Planting Design. These drawings and plans are yours to keep, to bring to life at a later date or pass onto your own landscapers or gardeners. We understand that you may wish to present the scheme for competitive tender. Should this be the case we are able to offer detailed construction drawings and bills of quantities, together with a full or partial project management or consultancy package. Contact us to find out more about our Services.

…

Do you build pools?

Yes; we have designed and built a variety of pools for our clients, ranging from outdoor heated pools with pool houses to, hot tubs and swim spas with counter-current jets. Get in touch with us via phone or email to find out more about the opportunities this could provide for your garden.

…

What size projects do you build?

We undertake projects of all sizes, confident that we can create truly special spaces whatever size garden you have.

…

How long does a design take?

How long the design process takes very much depends on the complexity of the project, your location in relation to us, your budget and any requirements you might have. 

We offer a full service from initial design consultation and survey all the way through to colour plans, lighting, irrigation and planting plan. On average the whole process takes between 8 and 16 weeks depending on your requirements and which elements are included. For example some people may already hold a survey for the site or not require a lighting plan. This time scale includes staged meetings with our clients and any revisions needed. 

We feel it is really important to get an overall design for your garden laid out as early as possible - then you can anticipate the practical elements of how this may impact on build works related to the house, or getting any major hard landscaping works done at the same time. 

Some clients like to get the whole design completed and then decide on elements to move forward with the build, staging some areas over time which we are more than happy to do.

…

How long does a build take?

Similarly to the design process the length of time your build project will take very much depends on the complexity of the project and what is involved. 

Some projects can be completed in a matter of weeks if it is a small contained element - whereas larger whole garden schemes can take a several months (the final elements usually things like certain seasonal planting such as bulbs).

There are several key factors that can influence how long your project might take:

• Location - if your garden is located at a significant distance from us this may impact scheduling, completion time and accommodation may need to be factored in. 

• Weather - as we know the English weather likes to take us by surprise! wet weather or significantly hot weather can impact progression on projects but we always try to work around it and find solutions where possible. 

• Access - some properties particularly in town centres can have access restrictions into the garden itself - where the only way to obtain access is through the house, this may also restrict what machinery we are able to use or how long it will take to get materials into the property. It can also determine things such as deliveries, skips or toilet facilities but we are used to working around these issues. 

• Size: -As stated above this is a really big influencer on how long a project might take to finish but we will work with you at the design stage to give you an indication as to how long we think it will be from start to completion.

• Bespoke: -Every project is personal to our clients, and us. There will be many factors in play such as materials used, planting, irrigation, lighting and bespoke pieces such as carpentry, sculpture or stone work. All of these can affect how long a project might take, Mark has made dry stone walls, flint walls and mosaic features for our clients in the past, a labour of love well worth it but clearly these items take longer. Depending on which items of work are included in your scheme we will be able to guide you as to the areas where more time will be spent. 

…

Do you offer a garden maintenance service?

Yes; to ensure the very best care of your garden, we offer tailored maintenance packages with our sister company Mark Payne Garden Maintenance. We work with you to design a maintenance package that fits your needs and lifestyle, managing the on-going maintenance and development of your garden on a weekly, monthly, seasonal or annual visit basis.

…