Charging for design consultation.

I charge a nominal fee for an initial consultation, which takes a minimum of 2 hours. Occasionally I am asked why I charge this fee for new clients, if you too were wondering then please read on and hopefully you will understand the value of this initial meeting.

Getting to know you

The most important outcome of this meeting is that you have a good opportunity to judge if I am going to be someone you want to work with.

A garden design can take as little as 6 weeks from survey to completion, or for large projects could be staged over many years, so it is essential to choose someone who understands what you want and is able to deliver it for you.

I discuss what a design provides you with and the design process

I will bring design drawings to show you, and we'll talk about how we design things and the different steps involved. I'll also explain how we charge for our services. Some steps are separate and you can decide if you want to continue with them or not.

I explain how the fees are structured so the project progresses at a pace that you are comfortable with.

does your budget cover everything you want?

If you're not sure how much it costs to create a garden, don't worry. We can provide guidance on the potential expenses for landscaping your area. Having a clear budget will help us determine what can be accomplished and set realistic expectations in our initial meeting.

As the gardens I design typically cost upwards of £35,000 to build (for a full small garden) it is important that you feel confident in my ability to manage your budget wisely. I want to ensure you know that I understand your goals and the details of your site. This way, I can use my creativity and experience to create a space that adds value to your life and property. That's why I believe it's important for me to personally handle each meeting with clients. This way, you can be confident that you'll meet with a skilled and professional designer.

Site Analysis

I spend time analysing the site for opportunities and areas of concern that will need addressing in future design. I take pictures to visually document important aspects of the site. During the initial garden design consultation, the true potential of your garden will start to become apparent, so it's important to spend time in the space to get a sense of it. I make detailed observations about the direction it faces, the type of soil and its drainage. I also assess the quality and placement of existing plants and structures, as well as the views from within and outside the property and neighboring gardens. Additionally, I consider many other details that will influence the design decisions moving forward.

Receive post consult information exclusive to your project.

After the consultation, you will receive a document summarising the visit. It will include a clear and complete description of what the desired design should accomplish (a draft design brief) and the findings from the site analysis. If you would like, we can also provide a rough estimate of what your budget can cover, as well as an idea of design fees and project timelines.

I hope this was helpful and informative.