Initial consultation:
I like to spend 2-3 hours with a client at the beginning, to gain
a proper understanding of what you want to achieve in your garden.
I will walk round the garden with you, to get a feel for the style
of your house and the wider environment and to understand any particular problems of the site. This is an opportunity for you to get to know me and we will discuss fully all your desires and requirements. I will charge between £50 and £75 for this initial visit, depending on how far I have to travel. However if you subsequently commission me to do a design for you, then this will be deducted from the cost.

Following this meeting, I will write to you, outlining everything that you wish to achieve in the garden and how this might be done. I will then be able to set a fee for creating a full design for your garden.
If you wish to proceed, I would ask that you send a written letter
of acceptance, together with 10% of the design fee.

Site Survey:
Before commencing the design I will revisit the garden and take detailed measurements, levels, photographs and soil samples. If the site is very large or involves many changes in levels, then it may be necessary to call in a professional surveyor at this point, but I would warn you in advance if this were necessary. This is also the point
at which we would discuss which trees and shrubs you wish to keep.

Preliminary Meeting:
Once I have drawn up the boundaries and any features, in detail,
that are to remain, including trees and shrubs, I will pencil in a rough outline of my proposals for you to see. Any changes you wish to make at this stage can then easily be incorporated.

The Design:
At this meeting I will present to you the detailed design, in colour. Assuming that you are happy with it, I would ask that the remainder of the design fee is paid at this stage. If there are further modifications to be made, then there will be a further small fee.

At this meeting you may wish to commission me to do the planting plans and X-sections and I will be able to give you a cost for these.
I will at this stage also be able to give you an approximate idea
of the cost of implementing the whole project.

Building the garden:
You may already know someone who can undertake the work for you, but if not then I can recommend at least 3 reputable contractors, from whom you can obtain a quote. Often several different contractors may be involved such as a lighting engineer,
or a water specialist.

If you wish me to actually oversee and manage the whole project, then I am happy to do that for you, for an agreed fee, payable
in stages.

I will draw up a Setting Out plan for the contractor and full Scope
of Works, Conditions of Contract and Planting Schedule.