Is It Worth Using a Garden Designer? | Garden Design
As a garden designer myself you might expect me to say yes, it’s always worth getting a designer in when you want to make changes. But this isn’t necessarily the case! It’s worth taking a look at the value that garden designers can bring and what that might cost - so here are my top five tips for working with a garden designer.
Consider what your garden is worth financially…..
Three of the biggest industry bodies in the landscape sector recommend that homeowners spend between 4% and 10% of the value of the property on the garden. Not only does that level of investment give you the benefits of a large outdoor room, but it also make your home more valuable. Back in 2020 the Post Office conducted a study and found that a landscaped garden could increase the price of your home by 77%.
......but also consider what it’s worth to you and your family.
The benefits of being outdoors are hard to underestimate. Whether it’s a coffee in the morning sun watching the bees, a barbecue with family and friends that goes on late into the evening, or the enjoyment you get from a bank of colour that you can see from the kitchen window; gardens make you feel good.
What does it cost to landscape a garden?
Obviously, the cost of landscaping depends on lots of factors. Some crucial ones are the size of the garden, the complexity of the space, perhaps in terms of slopes or level changes, or access into the garden. It also depends on your requirements - what do you want to have in the garden? On average, the cost of landscaping a garden (hard and soft landscaping) will cost between £100 and £300 per square metre. I like to contextualise that figure in a domestic setting by comparing that to the cost of a new kitchen which is somewhere between £250 - £1000 per square metre. Costs for landscaping can be a little harder to come by, as prices between contractors can vary and there’s no single point of information - there’s no Ikea for gardens!
How can a garden designer help?
Garden designers can help keep costs down. An experienced garden designer understands how to save money on a build and where it’s worth spending a little extra. I also recommend trusted contractors with whom I have worked extensively so clients can be reassured that the work will be of good quality. I’m a big believer in spending what is required to get it right first time and then having something of quality forever. I like to get to know my clients a bit so that I can work out how their garden can really give them the lifestyle that they want. Often a good designer can see the problems and opportunities in a garden that the client might not have seen themselves. And then there’s the expertise in the science of landscaping of course - knowledge of materials and construction, water management in the garden, planning regulations, plant knowledge, graphic design etc etc!
When is it worth getting a garden designer in? And how much do garden designers charge?
Using the rough cost above, with a garden of 300 square meters a client might be spending £45,000 to get a really beautiful, practical garden that will stand the test of time. Allocating a budget of 10% of any build cost to design means that the garden will deliver on the client’s requirements and wishes and avoid costly mistakes. Checkatrade also has some information here on garden designer costs that are relevant.
How does it work to get a garden designer in?
I tend to talk to clients on the phone first to find out the kind of garden that they are looking for, and I tell them a bit about the kind of gardens I design and what my aims are when working with a client. I then arrange a visit if they want to go ahead. Most qualified designers will charge a design consultation fee for that visit - I charge £150 which gives clients plenty of time and space to discuss their vision and requirements and then we talk through options. I will then follow that up with another conversation which becomes a detailed brief for the work. My process is detailed here
How can I get in touch with you?
I’m so glad you asked! You can drop me a line here, or call me on 07966558696. I’d love to hear your ideas for your garden and discuss how I can help.
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