THE PROCESS
The success of ‘the Process’ is achieved by putting the client first – by listening carefully, by establishing exactly what the client wants from their garden, how they want to use it and what their personal tastes are.
At the initial consultation we spend a lot of time getting the brief right – we get to know the garden and listen carefully to the client’s aspirations – and then produce an estimate for our services. We cost each and every stage of the process; the survey, the site analysis, the outline garden design, the planting plan, the construction drawings, the scope of works and monitoring the work of the landscape contractors. From the outset we set out our services and fees, honestly and transparently, so the client knows exactly what to expect.
The process to create your garden usually flows as follows but each garden is different and you can pick and chose what is appropriate for you.
1
INITIAL CONSULATION
the most important step – where we get to know you, establish a full brief for your garden and get a feel for your plot and its setting.
2
SURVEY
the next step is to carry out a topographical survey. This is a scaled drawing, which will include the position of the house, levels, boundaries, existing paved areas, existing trees, the position of services (pipes, drainage, etc).
We will also undertake a site analysis and photographs will be taken of the garden and its surroundings. Unless the garden is very small, the survey will carried out by one of our recommended professional survey companies.
3
OUTLINED GARDEN DESIGN
a concept design for discussion and review – your input here is highly valued and essential.
4
DETAILED GARDEN DESIGN
a fully worked up and highly detailed outline design. We find our fastidious attention to detail at this stage enables you to really visualise how your finished garden will look.
5
CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS
the technical drawings required to enable a landscape contractor to construct the garden as the designer envisaged.
6
SCOPE OF WORK AND SPECIFICATIONS
a written set of instructions to facilitate the construction of the garden – including the materials to be used and techniques to be employed.
7
TENDER PROCESS
more often we recommend appropriate landscape contractors who we know and have worked with – often over many years. We can run tenders on your behalf where we manage the issuing of the documentation (plans and scope of works) to the landscape contractors, meet them on site and field their questions, allowing them to quote for the construction fairly and accurately.
8
PROJECT MONITORING
Project monitoring relieves the pressure on the client during the construction phase of the garden. We will co-ordinate the project kick-off and visit the site regularly until the project is completed. We will ensure that all remains within the budget and timescale agreed, and keep any downtime to a minimum. We will keep the client up to speed with developments, while ensuring the project is completed to the original specification, and reduce the need for the client to get involved with day to day issues.
9
PLANTING DESIGN
every plant is hand selected based on your preferences and the vision of the garden designer – put together in pleasing combinations with good all year round interest and structure (a plan showing the layout of the plants and a schedule for the nursery order are produced).
10
PLANTING
A garden is dynamic, changing and maturing as the seasons pass, we work with you to ensure your plants remain the crowning glory of your garden. We will regularly conduct an ‘in garden review’ of your plants – advising on horticultural and maintenance issues, will plan the upcoming seasonal planting and recommended any changes that need to be made to keep your garden looking as it should.