Design Process

How we create your dream outdoor space.

Click here to view some of our 2D and 3D design projects

Initial consultation

The first stage in the design process is for me to meet at your home so we can discuss what it is you are hoping to achieve from your new garden. The more information you can provide the more accurate I can produce a design that suits your requirements. Don’t worry though, if you are looking for real inspiration you can also provide a completely blank canvas and I will suggest ideas/concepts in order to create a fantastic new look for your outdoor space. At this stage we can offer general advice on materials, garden layout, timescales and approximate ballpark costs for both design and build, depending on the extent of work required. An idea of your budget is preferable before design work commences in order to ensure your expectations align with your investment finances available.

Site Survey

A site survey notes your house measurements including window/door positions, existing boundaries, services, shrubs/trees of note, levels throughout the project area, site photos and plotting the survey onto our CAD software. Surveys for small to medium size gardens can often be undertaken in house and start from £250 plus vat. For larger or more complicated sites we use our 3rd party surveyor to undertake a more detailed topographical survey which uses the latest technology to gain all the information we would require. Topographical surveys usually cost between £600 > £900 and are paid directly to the surveyor (if you have your own topographical survey in DWG format then we would be able to work from this too). A firm survey quotation would be formulated after an initial consultation.

2D design plan

A ‘to scale’ detailed colour plan that clearly shows the new proposal for the relevant garden areas shown from a ‘birds eye view’. Every detail is considered, from drainage and sun exposure to the materials being proposed, planting style/objectives and privacy. 2D design plans start from as little as £550 plus vat for a small garden and increase depending upon the complexity of the design brief and the size of plot. A firm 2D design quotation would be formulated after we have a clearer understanding of your design brief along with the size of the space. Please kindly note that there would be two minor re-tweaks to the design included within the price, if required.

3D design visuals

Our 3D specialist visualisation service has evolved to support both our own garden design projects and commissions from architects, developers and fellow designers. Once your digital 2D design plan has been undertaken we will be able to create stunning 3D visualisations and animated walk through videos. For our own garden designs we would naturally have all the information we require as a result of undertaking your survey but for other commissions we would simply require site photos, the 2D design plan with design notes (in DWG format) and some basic house measurements in order to create a realistic portrayal. In most cases, the cost for us to produce 3D visuals usually range from £500 > £1000 plus vat.

Benefits of 3D visualisations:

Bring design ideas to life – Transforming 2D plans and concepts into a visual representation that’s easy to understand and imagine.
Animated walkthroughs – Take a virtual journey through your proposed garden with an immersive animated walkthrough.
Spot potential issues early – Identify design considerations and make changes before construction starts, helping to avoid costly alterations later.
Explore different design options – Experiment with different layouts and planting concepts
Visualise materials and finishes – Get a better feel for how different materials, colours and textures will work within the overall design.
Greater confidence before investing – Know what you’re getting before committing to landscaping work, helping you move forward with confidence.

Quotation/construction process

A detailed itemised quotation for the project to be constructed by one of our full time construction teams would be written as standard and testimonials/references would be available upon request. We can even offer assisted site visits to show you examples of our past work. We want your decision to trust ‘The Landscape Design Studio’ with your garden to be an easy one and hopefully look forward to adding you to our on- going list of very satisfied clients.

Planting design service

A well-designed planting scheme can completely transform a garden, bringing colour, texture, structure and seasonal interest while ensuring that every plant has its place.

We’ll discuss your potential preferences, including plants and colours you love, those you would rather avoid, and how you would like the garden to look and feel throughout the seasons. I’ll also take into consideration the characteristics of your garden, such as its aspect, soil conditions, existing planting and the amount of maintenance you wish to undertake.

Your Planting Design

Once I have a clear understanding of your requirements, I will create a detailed 2D planting plan showing the proposed layout of the planting throughout your garden. Planting plans are charged at £50 plus vat per hour and usually take anywhere from 4 hours to 16 hours to produce.

The plan will identify:

The position and arrangement of plants, shrubs and trees
The quantity required for each plant
Botanical species names
Thumbnail images to help you visualise the proposed planting (we can even produce a digital 3D planting plan at an additional cost if you wish)
The overall composition and relationship between different plants within the scheme.

This provides you with a clear visual reference of how the finished planting scheme will come together and allows us to make any adjustments before the planting takes place.

From Design to Planting

Once you are happy with the planting design, I will prepare a detailed, itemised planting quotation for the proposed scheme.

This will include the plant species, quantities, proposed pot sizes and the current sizes of the plants and trees available. This gives you a clear understanding of exactly what is being proposed and the costs involved, helping to make the process from design through to sourcing and planting as straightforward as possible.

Whether you are looking to completely replant a garden or simply introduce new areas of planting, a bespoke planting plan provides a considered framework for creating a beautiful, cohesive and thoughtfully planted garden.