Garden Design – Frequently Asked Questions

What to Look For When Choosing a Design and Landscaping Provider?

Qualifications and Experience

Garden design combines creative vision with technical know-how. Our team includes three qualified garden designers with decades of experience in both design and horticulture. A beautiful design must work with your site, soil and lifestyle. While some designers are self-taught, formal training demonstrates deeper understanding of planting, construction and design principles. Always ask where your designer trained and how long they’ve been in business.

Completed Gardens

Photos are helpful, but seeing a finished garden in real life gives you proper sense of scale, quality and how everything settles over time. We have many lovely clients who are happy to show their gardens to prospective new ones. Seeing a space that’s been through the whole process helps you picture what’s possible and decide if we’re the right fit.

Testimonials and Reviews

Good garden design companies have happy clients willing to say so. Reviews show how the team works, communicates and delivers results. Don’t just look at photos – read about the process. Were deadlines met? Was the budget respected? Did the designer listen? You can read some of ours on our testimonials page.

Insurance

Your garden designer should be covered by Public Liability, Professional Indemnity and, if they have a team, Employers’ Liability insurance.

Availability

Most established garden design companies have waiting lists – a good sign showing they’re in demand and trusted. Be cautious of designers available immediately. Quality work takes time to plan and schedule.

How Long Will My Project Take?

Garden design and installation is a multi-phase project.

Design Phase

Allow 3-6 months for the full design process, from initial survey to final plans. This includes concept development, revisions, detailed drawings and planting plans. Complex sites take longer, especially with planning considerations. Start early – gardens are rarely designed and built in the same year.

Avoid designers who promise quick turnarounds – they’re likely cutting corners or using templates.

Installation

Build time ranges from 3 weeks to 3+ months, depending on the project. Factor in landscaper availability – quality professionals are usually booked months ahead.

Planting

During construction, we provide initial planting plans with preliminary quotes. Once building completes, we finalise designs and provide updated quotes for your finished space.

We schedule planting considering seasonal factors (avoiding frozen ground). We need two weeks’ notice for stock delivery, more during peak seasons. Planting can take from a day for smaller spaces, up to a week for larger properties. Spring bulbs require autumn installation, so we may return in October-November.

Managing Expectations Throughout the Project

During the build

We provide a project liaison service. We become your point of contact for queries, working with your landscaper and visiting weekly during construction to ensure everything runs smoothly. This makes the process easier and less stressful for you.

Maintenance and aftercare

Your transformed garden will have wonderful plant variety requiring proper care to thrive. We provide comprehensive maintenance guides. Smaller gardens need basic care you can manage; larger gardens with extensive planting may need part-time gardeners.

Even ‘low maintenance’ plants need regular care. Watering is crucial during hot weather and for new plantings as roots establish. Without appropriate maintenance, gardens won’t reach their full potential. We discuss specific requirements and recommend local gardening services if needed.

Will I Need Planning Permission?

Most garden improvements fall under permitted development – no planning permission is needed, but limits apply.

Basic Rules for Sheds, Offices and Garden Rooms

Buildings must be single storey with a maximum 2.5m height within 2m of boundaries, or up to 4m with pitched roof (3m for other roofs) further away. Buildings cannot cover more than 50% of total garden area and must stay behind house’s front wall. Buildings under 15m² can touch boundaries; those 15-30m² need 1m clearance.

Fences and Walls

These can be a maximum of 2m high on your property, 1m high next to highways or public footpaths. Hedges have no height restrictions.

Common Features Requiring Permission

You will always need permission for listed buildings, conservation areas, separate living accommodation, decking over 30cm high, tennis courts, sports facilities, and large paved areas over 5m² without proper drainage. Standard projects like swimming pools, patios with drainage, and garden storage are usually fine.

For detailed guidance, visit the Planning Portal or contact your local planning authority.