The Process

• Initial consultation
  
  
A meeting during which services and fees are outlined, requirements for new garden are ascertained, and possible design solutions are discussed. The designer takes note of the customer's requirements, likes and dislikes, design suggestions and budget. Initial thoughts and design ideas are discussed


• Contract
  
  
After the initial meeting, a document is prepared and sent to the customer for their verification. This document is a statement of requirements, any design elements agreed on, and what services the designer will provide. It will form the contract between the customer and designer.


• Master plan
  
  
Once the contract is agreed, the garden will be surveyed, and the production of the Master Plan will commence. When the plan is complete, the designer will present it to the customer.

The Master Plan is a scale drawing of the new garden, showing the location of hard landscaping and planting. Sectional drawings, perspective drawings, and 3-D projections may also be provided to illustrate specific parts of the plan. This plan is used to obtain quotations from landscaping contractors, and will then be used by the appointed contractor as a basis from which to construct the garden.


• Planting plan
  
  
When the Master Plan has been approved, work will commence on the Planting Plan. As with the Master Plan the Planting Plan is the result of a consultative process between the customer and designer. The customer's preferences will be discussed, including colour, style, maintenance, etc, and these will be incorporated into the plan. Once the Planting Plan is complete, the designer will present it to the customer, discussing plant choices and illustrating these with images.

The Planting Plan is an exact copy of the Master Plan showing names and locations of all plants for each planted area. The production of the Planting Plan will result in a plant list that is used to get quotations for the plants and planting.

• Written specification
  
  
A written specification of works and quantities is produced that describes the garden elements, specifies what materials are to be used in their construction, and what quantity of each material is required. The purpose of this document is to obtain accurate quotations from all landscape contractors.


• Obtaining quotations
  
  
Drawings from the design phase, and the written specification are used to obtain quotations from landscape contractors.

The designer will visit site with each contractor to discuss the plan with them, and provide them with a copy of the written specification of works and quantities.


• Appointing a landscape contractor
  
  
When all quotations have been received from the contractors the customer decides which of them is acceptable, and appoints the chosen contractor who will provide them with an estimated start date.


• Managing the project
  
  
The designer is usually appointed by the customer to act as a consultant when construction commences. The designer's role is to provide information and clarification of the plan, as required, to the landscape contractors, making amendments to the plan, if necessary. As part of this process, the designer will keep the customer fully informed at all times of the progress of the project. If any changes are required, the designer will liase with the customer and present them with solutions, obtaining their agreement before the construction proceeds.


• Planting
  
  
Once the hard landscaping is complete the plants will be obtained and planted using the Planting Plan to place each plant in its correct location.

• Tidying up the site
  
  
Part of the customer's contract with the landscaper will include leaving the site tidy, removing all equipment, and repairing any damage.


• Follow-up visits
  
  
The designer will arrange follow up site visits with the customer. During these visits the customer can discuss any problems with the designer, including those with planting, and the designer will suggest ways in which problems can be rectified.


• Rectifying problems
  
  
Part of the customer's contract with the landscaper will include rectifying problems for a set period of time after the completion of the build.