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Find a Garden Designer and What to Expect
Contacting a professional Garden Designer is a great way to start planning the garden of your dreams but where to look, what questions to ask and what can you hope to find? The British Association of Landscape Industries is here to help …
Quick Guide, a Few Things to Remember:
- Do your research, find a garden designer who's past work you like and is relative to your brief
- Ask questions, your Garden Designer's job is to make it as easy as possible to understand the elements of the design so don't be afraid if you are unsure of the details
- Don't be afraid to be adventurous, your Garden Designer can help you make your garden fantasy a reality
- This is your Garden, make sure it fulfils your function & reflects your style so you will have a beautiful garden which you will enjoy for a long time
A general lack of knowledge about the subject on a public level can make finding a garden designer a confusing process, anyone who has a general interest in gardening will know the big name garden designers (from numerous RHS shows for example), trends in gardening and the benefits of a fabulous outdoor space but would they know good quality local garden designers, what they can expect from the garden design service and also what the average cost of hiring a garden designer would be?
A great place to start when looking for a garden designer is with a landscape & garden design trade body such as the British Association of Landscape Industries or the Society of Garden Designers, both trade organisations have garden designer members working both nationally and locally, receiving membership after being vetted and judged by industry peers. Both long standing associations are in pursuit of a common goal, to ensure garden design and construction is of the highest level, ensuring clients are reassured in receiving a professional, sustainable and beautiful garden, giving the client a initial place to go to confidently commission the best people for the job. However many people find a garden designer through recommendation, talk to people you know who have used garden designers. To find a BALI Registered Designer CLICK HERE and enter your postcode and select designer in the Areas of interest section.
A point you should keep in the forefront of your mind when searching for a designer is differences in style and taste. A garden designer who arouses interest should be then researched, a quick search on their website will give you an idea of their style and type of project they undertake. There is no point in hiring a minimalist, modern styled garden designer with a majority of work being extensive & expensive garden design, if you want a traditional, bustling garden design for your for your humble abode. Make notes along the way of styles and ideas which catch your eye and always keep in mind your project, however this doesn’t mean you can’t be adventurous.
A talented garden designer will meet with you and visit the site to get an idea of your style, taste and lifestyle and how this can fit in your shape, size and budget. The garden designer will want to know the main functions of the garden, will you entertain in the garden, will you cook/grow in the garden, should it be designed with children in mind or is it simply a quiet space to relax and unwind. The garden designer should also encourage and be forth coming with ideas and suggestions (remember this is why you are hiring them!), creativity with space is key in garden design– just because your garden is smaller than most cars or larger than most football pitches doesn’t mean you should compromise on functionality and aesthetics.
In regards to cost, most garden designers will charge a fee for visiting the site and meeting with you to discuss ideas, which is why it is imperative to do your research on your chosen garden designer, ask to see past projects and also consider asking a few short questions before you meet about the service they offer. This initial meeting cost is dependant on a number of factors including experience, qualifications, and usual size/project cost, top garden designers can cost anything from £5000 upwards for this initial meeting, however usually a quality garden designer initial meeting should be around a couple of hundred pounds.
The Garden Designer, if your happy to go ahead, will then produce a concept plan or outline. This should include sketches and designs, specification (such as decking, paving, planting, water features) and also list any parts which may require planning permission or complex work.
The Garden Designer can also help you find a quality landscape contractor and can also (if part of the specification) work with you through the build process. A number of landscaping contractors will provide a complete garden design and build service, with a number of them having quality in house garden designers, the British Association of Landscape Industries can help you find a design & build contractor if you feel this you want this service.
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