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Pro Panel: How Far in Advance Should I Hire a Garden Designer?
From the key stages and likely schedules to the best times for planting, three UK garden designers share their top tips
Most people start thinking about a new garden in spring, but it’s better to kick things off in the autumn or winter, say our experts. By planning early, you can get around the issues of bad weather and seasonal planting, and pre-book good local trades and gardeners ahead of time. Houzz caught up with three UK-based experts for their advice: Julia Cody of Hamilton Cody Garden Design, Phil Hirst of Phil Hirst Garden Design, and Roberto Silva of Silva Landscapes.
How much notice do garden designers need?
Hirst explains that the earlier the designer is involved, the better. “The designer should be able to give you an indication of how long they expect the design element of the project to take and when they’d be able to start,” he says. “Depending on workload, it may be possible for this process to begin quite quickly, but that won’t always be the case. It’s likely a designer will be working on more than one project at any point in time.”
“You always have to wait a while for a good landscape contractor to be available,” says Cody. “Their schedules constantly shift, because it’s weather-dependent work and other clients’ plans change. But they may be able to slot in a smaller garden project sooner between larger ones.”
Is your garden in need of a fresh new design? Browse the work of landscape architects and designers in your area and read reviews from previous clients
Hirst explains that the earlier the designer is involved, the better. “The designer should be able to give you an indication of how long they expect the design element of the project to take and when they’d be able to start,” he says. “Depending on workload, it may be possible for this process to begin quite quickly, but that won’t always be the case. It’s likely a designer will be working on more than one project at any point in time.”
“You always have to wait a while for a good landscape contractor to be available,” says Cody. “Their schedules constantly shift, because it’s weather-dependent work and other clients’ plans change. But they may be able to slot in a smaller garden project sooner between larger ones.”
Is your garden in need of a fresh new design? Browse the work of landscape architects and designers in your area and read reviews from previous clients
What time of year is it best to first approach a designer?
“The best time would be autumn, as the design can be done in the next couple of months, then built in winter and planted in spring,” says Silva.
It’s a common misconception that designers are busy in summer and have nothing to do in winter, according to Hirst. “Designers work all year round and, since a lot of the work is studio-based, they don’t have to stop for bad weather,” he says.
Hirst says that a lot of enquiries tend to come before the warmer weather arrives, “when people are looking forward to having a new garden for spring or summer,” he says.
“The best time would be autumn, as the design can be done in the next couple of months, then built in winter and planted in spring,” says Silva.
It’s a common misconception that designers are busy in summer and have nothing to do in winter, according to Hirst. “Designers work all year round and, since a lot of the work is studio-based, they don’t have to stop for bad weather,” he says.
Hirst says that a lot of enquiries tend to come before the warmer weather arrives, “when people are looking forward to having a new garden for spring or summer,” he says.
What are the different stages of creating a new garden?
The process usually involves:
The process usually involves:
- Establishing a brief.
- Gathering information about the site and existing features.
- Creating a design concept and masterplan, plus further design detailing.
- Getting a contractor to build the garden.
- Planting it up.
“Landscaping a small, straightforward garden can take as little as two weeks,” says Hirst. “For larger, more complex sites, it can be many months. All is dependent on the availability of the landscape contractor and the size of the team working on the project.
“The planting time depends on the size and complexity of the scheme,” he continues. “For a small garden, it could be done within a few hours, but larger gardens may take several days. Plants also have to be sourced from nurseries.”
“Planting is traditionally done in the autumn and it’s the best time if possible,” says Cody. “It allows the plants to establish over the autumn and winter, so they’re robust and ready for the growing season the following year.”
“The planting time depends on the size and complexity of the scheme,” he continues. “For a small garden, it could be done within a few hours, but larger gardens may take several days. Plants also have to be sourced from nurseries.”
“Planting is traditionally done in the autumn and it’s the best time if possible,” says Cody. “It allows the plants to establish over the autumn and winter, so they’re robust and ready for the growing season the following year.”
What do most people overlook in terms of planning and timescales?
“It’s easy to overlook the fact that the seasons need to be respected,” says Silva. “For example, we can’t plant bulbs in summer. Clients also tend to underestimate the cost of the hard landscaping and design.”
People will often use a particular event as the impetus to hire a garden designer, not realising the time it requires, Cody observes. “This is totally understandable, but if the time is too tight, it can create a lot of stress all round,” she says. “A garden is a large investment and it’s best not to rush the process. Enjoy it and take your time.”
“One of the most frequent causes of delay on a design project is the availability of homeowners for meetings,” says Hirst. “If meetings can only take place in the evening or at weekends, it can sometimes be several days or weeks before they happen and, come winter, evening visits to see a garden are impossible.”
“It’s easy to overlook the fact that the seasons need to be respected,” says Silva. “For example, we can’t plant bulbs in summer. Clients also tend to underestimate the cost of the hard landscaping and design.”
People will often use a particular event as the impetus to hire a garden designer, not realising the time it requires, Cody observes. “This is totally understandable, but if the time is too tight, it can create a lot of stress all round,” she says. “A garden is a large investment and it’s best not to rush the process. Enjoy it and take your time.”
“One of the most frequent causes of delay on a design project is the availability of homeowners for meetings,” says Hirst. “If meetings can only take place in the evening or at weekends, it can sometimes be several days or weeks before they happen and, come winter, evening visits to see a garden are impossible.”
What tips would you offer to those just starting the process?
Cody advises homeowners to phone a few local landscape architects or designers before booking in an initial meeting. “Trust between client and designer is key,” she says, “so find someone whose work you like and who you feel comfortable talking to.
Cody advises homeowners to phone a few local landscape architects or designers before booking in an initial meeting. “Trust between client and designer is key,” she says, “so find someone whose work you like and who you feel comfortable talking to.
“Decide what level of service you’re looking for: a complete, start-to-finish package, or just help with the layout or planting,” she continues. “Most designers are happy to tailor their service to your requirements and will help you identify what those are.”
“Research designers properly, and not only the ones on the first page of Google,” says Silva. “Have a separate budget for the design work. Look at the designer’s portfolio and contact one of their previous clients. The internet also helps if designers have featured in any press articles. Always search locally first, because travel time can increase the cost of the design work.”
Browse more beautiful Australian gardens featuring fire pits
“Research designers properly, and not only the ones on the first page of Google,” says Silva. “Have a separate budget for the design work. Look at the designer’s portfolio and contact one of their previous clients. The internet also helps if designers have featured in any press articles. Always search locally first, because travel time can increase the cost of the design work.”
Browse more beautiful Australian gardens featuring fire pits
“If the garden has to be finished by a particular date, don’t be tempted to use a designer or contractor just because they’re available, with no other assurance they’re the right person for you to work with,” says Hirst.
Be financially prepared, is Cody’s rule of thumb. “Even if you have to build the garden in stages, it’s a good investment to have the layout well planned in advance,” she says. “We have a client who employed us to design and specify the garden and then saved for a few years before they could afford to build it. It’s very small, but one of our favourite projects.”
Be financially prepared, is Cody’s rule of thumb. “Even if you have to build the garden in stages, it’s a good investment to have the layout well planned in advance,” she says. “We have a client who employed us to design and specify the garden and then saved for a few years before they could afford to build it. It’s very small, but one of our favourite projects.”
Your turn
How did you go about planning and scheduling your garden redesign? Share you knowledge and experiences in the Comments, like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Get more great practical home advice here with this Pro Panel: What’s the Right Material for My Driveway?
How did you go about planning and scheduling your garden redesign? Share you knowledge and experiences in the Comments, like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Get more great practical home advice here with this Pro Panel: What’s the Right Material for My Driveway?
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Our experts estimate it can take anything from around six months to a year and upwards to proceed from an initial appointment with a garden designer to enjoying a fully built and planted plot.
“Every garden design is different,” says Hirst, “but it will typically take at least two months to prepare a garden design before everything is ready for a contractor to start work.”
“There’s a lot that goes into designing and building a garden properly, and it’s best not to rush the process,” says Cody. “It’s a big investment for the client and it’s worth taking time over the process.”
“The weather and the seasonal aspects of the business have an effect, too,” says Silva. “Some plants can only be planted in a certain season, or they’re not available to buy at certain times of the year.”