What does a Garden Design Cost?

You may be thinking about undertaking a garden improvement so that you can both maximise the enjoyment of your outdoor space and add value to your home. In the same way you would use the skills of an architect or interior designer if you were looking to make modifications to your home, you may well be thinking about taking on the services of a Garden Designer, Landscape Architect or for gardening. However, how much does a Garden Designer cost?

There is unfortunately no one answer to this question, and that is not a case of garden designers being evasive or secretive about their fees. The issue being every job is different in terms of garden size, client brief, and therefore how much work and time will be taken on the project.

Some designers may charge an hourly rate, however this is difficult for the client to really understand what the final costs will be. I tend to work my fee as a % of the total estimated garden build cost. This fee will then be broken down into a number of stages and a garden design process which the client can select from in terms of services:

The Typical Garden Design Process

Site Survey:                      

If a professional surveyor is required they will invoice the client directly. This could range from £450-£900 depending on the size of the property. If it is a relatively simple garden area, the designer may do the survey themselves at an hourly rate.

Initial Client Briefing:     

This will entail a home visit, where an initial brief will be discussed and a guide project cost provided to the client. This will normally take around an hour. It could be charged at an hourly rate or may be offered as a complimentary free service.

Design Stage:                   

This will involve a full site analysis, functional planning and then likely a top view design of the garden (Sketch Plan) using an architectural software. It would also include 3D ‘scenes’ within the designed garden to give an idea of how the garden would feel. If significant changes need to be made or the brief changed from original discussions then this may be charged at an hourly rate over and above the initial cost.

Detailed Construction Drawings:

These drawings will enable the landscape contractor (builder) to accurately construct the design set out in the Sketch Plan, a task they would really struggle to do without these. These will include dimensions, height levels, specification details for materials, drainage plans as well as details on how we want the contractor to build features like pergola’s, water features or retaining walls.

Planting Plans:

We will create detailed planting plans for all the plants and trees in the gardens beds, borders and planters. These will detail the numbers of each type of plant and exactly where the landscaper will need to place them. It will also detail the size of plant to purchase at the time of planting. This will largely depend on the budget available.

Tender Management:

We can also manage the tender process for the client sending the detailed plans to a selection of landscape contractors we recommend so that accurate quotes can be collected. This phase can actually help safe money for the client.

Project Management:

We offer to oversee the build, making a few site visits at key periods of the landscaping phase to ensure that the project is going to plan and following the design and specifications. This could be billed at an hourly rate.

Breaking Down a Garden Design Service

As an example, if the estimated build cost at the initial consultation was £80,000, the designer may charge a 10% fee which covers all the stages through to Tender Management. In this example, that would be £8,000. However, the client may only select some of the stages with each of those being a % of the total fee. For example, Design Stage 25%, Construction Drawings 40%, Planting Plans 25%, and Tender Management 10%. Some of these stages may be fixed based on the estimated project costs, however in some instances the designer may stipulate that they are based on the final build cost and therefore balances would be settled at the end of the project.

The real question isn’t whether you can afford the designer, because our fees are a relatively small part of the overall project cost, but more can you afford to have your garden properly landscaped. If you can afford to build the garden then it is definitely worth completely the project properly.

Using the services of a Garden Designer will mean you will get a garden designed professionally that meets your needs, in a style that takes the clients wishes into account and fits in with the Genus Loci, with consideration given to materials and plants. This will provide the client with a garden they can enjoy for many hours over many years, that will also act as a great investment! They will also identify the best garden design genre to best fit your particular garden, such as a more modern garden design approach.

DP Garden Design Services in Hampshire

To find out more about this and creating exciting planting plans suitable for your needs as well as our other garden design services and garden design packages, please refer to the resources on our website and email us on info@dpgardendesign.co.uk.

DP Garden Design is primarily located in Alresford, Hampshire (near Winchester) but we are able to cover the rest of Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and West Sussex. Contact us today to begin your garden design journey.