Who is Involved in your Garden Design & Build?
There are many professionals and trades involved in your garden design and build process. So, who are they?
When you engage me as your garden designer, you don't just get me - you benefit from all those around me. We have been in the industry long enough to have a good number of quality contacts in our little black book. So who are these people?
Ensuring you receive a garden that will bring you much enjoyment results from close communication between you, the client, and myself, as well as others in the garden design and build industry.
Topographical Surveyors: They will carry out a quality survey to my brief, so I can design accurately. A poor quality topographical survey raises more questions than it answers about the lie of the land and location of features. It could ultimately cost you more further down the line.
Structural Engineers: These are highly trained individuals who will design complex structures such as high retaining walls and large bespoke pergolas. They will also do the calculations on balconies and roof terraces so we can design for you, ensuring your garden is safe.
Topographical Survey, carried out by a professional land surveyor will ensure we provide you an accurate design that can be accurately quoted from.
Planning Consultants: Often we will be able to help with simple planning issues, but should you be investigating any build on a grade listed building, or in any area with complex planning constraints, then they will help and guide you through the process, aiming to save you time on lengthy applications and appeals.
Landscape Contractors: Getting a good contractor is as important as engaging a good designer and land surveyor. A good landscaper will understand and build to up-to-date methodology. They will be as transparent as possible with quotes, will adhere to Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, and will ensure a quality finish.
Understanding how to lay materials is the designer and landscaper's realm, and we make sure we have good communication to ensure excellence in design and build.
Lighting Suppliers and Installers: Getting a good lighting design will increase the use of the garden from day to night, and season to season. Garden lighting is different from internal lighting and you should not engage an electrician who doesn't have full competencies in garden lighting. We only work with garden lighting experts.
Suppliers: We have spent years researching materials and garden features, and we are able to specify quality materials and workmanship. For example, stone from one supplier is not the same as stone from another. We check specification sheets and make sure your contractor is buying from legitimate sources, and that your stone is fit-for-purpose.
Stone sourced from a reputable supplier with the correct documentation is crucial to ensure it complies with various British Standards and is fit-for-purpose
Plant Nurseries: Plants can be around 1/4-1/3 of the average garden budget, and as such we need to ensure you receive plants that have been grown by reliable nurseries. In light of the growing concern over imports and plant diseases, we can also make sure plants that have to be imported are sourced from nurseries with the proper documentation and plant passports.
Collaboration between us and others in the industry ensure great design, quality build and healthy plants!
This list is by no means exhaustive. But it does touch on one of the benefits of engaging with a professional experienced garden designer that may not be immediately obvious.
Gardens are a significant financial investment. Make sure you invest wisely. Engaging us as your garden designers will automatically expose you to our support network, and that is worth its weight in gold.
Contact me to discuss more about the garden design process and how we can best support your garden design project.