SUSSEX
gARDEN

The full design to completion service is the primary purpose of Sussex Garden.

I find it very rewarding to move with a client through the process from the spark of an initial conversation through to a fully realised living breathing garden, ready for years of enjoyment.

I will work with you personally throughout the process, directly taking on the design and planning, then instructing and managing landscapers throughout the creation of your garden. Once complete I will be on hand to advise and support you through the maintenance and care of your garden.

You can read a more detailed account of the steps involved in the design-to-completion service in the process section, or contact me to arrange an initial consultation and get started!

In cases where a full drawing board reset isn’t the right solution but there is clear scope for improvement I offer a garden refresh service.

Primarily this usually involves substantial new planting, but can take many forms depending on your existing space.

A refresh has the potential to dramatically transform a space, breathing new life and vibrancy into a garden.

Originally a necessity during lockdown, Remote Design now allows me to reach out and offer a garden design service outside of my base areas in Sussex and South-East England to clients with gardens across the UK and internationally.

Broadly the Remote service follows the same steps as the full design to completion service, but rather than being face-to-face all meetings and consultations are carried out over video calls. I can give you advice and supporting drawings about how to measure for a site survey should you wish to do this yourself, and will be available to liase extensively with landscapers and plantsmen you employ throughout your garden build.

In addition to offering integrated services I am available to hire as a consultant.

Commonly this is to work alongside other professionals you may have in place, either in the role of a design consultant or as a project manager overseeing landscaping works and specialist builds.

Through a free initial consultation we can broadly talk through the scope of your requirements and the current state of your garden space, we will go over both your design ideas and practical needs.

An initial consultation is usually simply a chat on phone from where you can decide if you'd like to move forward into the next steps.

Contact me to arrange an initial consultation and get started!

This is where the excitement really starts. Before we meet I will ask you to think about your future garden, to share everything you love, hate, or really hope for. Are you looking to relax – socialise - indulge a hobby – children - animals? Tell me a bit about the ideal garden for you and most importantly how you would love to spend time in it.

We’ll also discuss practical considerations – privacy, boundaries, accessibility.

Every one of us has a unique set of likes and dislikes, be that modern materials or tropical plants, we will find out what it is that you really enjoy so I can build a design with those things in mind.

It’s all about making a garden that is right for each individual, deeply exploring this before the design stage allows the form of the garden to be fully informed by your needs and wishes, and is the basis of ensuring the completed garden is uniquely tailored to you.

Where possible meetings are carried out in person, but if not practical these can also be successfully carried out over a video call.

After this meeting I will produce a Design brief outlining our discussion accompanied by a quote for design fees.

For smaller gardens locally I will measure the site and draw up the Survey Plan. for larger gardens, those further afield, or sites with complicated levels, I may instruct a land surveyor.

The survey will show your house, boundaries, existing features and levels required for the subsequent preparation of the Garden Design.

The design stage is where the process really begins to come alive.

I will take all I have learned about you and factor in the potential and possibilities apparent in your available space. I will study the terrain and planting in your locale and endeavour to create a design which exists in balance within the environment it sits in. A design for a garden which is in harmony with you and becomes an integral part your home.

I always look to maximise areas of planting in any scheme. Plants, trees and growth are the lifeblood of any great garden, and are my primary initial consideration for any new design.

A number of plans will be created for your new garden, these will allow you to understand and visualise the design, and will give detailed information required for the garden build.

Concept Drawings begin the design process. This is where we play with ideas, see the style of the garden evolve, and start to understand how potential layouts would change the feel of the space. Supporting imagery and 3D graphics are used to really bring the ideas to life and ensure you feel really confident and excited about every aspect being planned.

Planting Plans show the location, spacing, and plants to be used, with corresponding imagery to help you visualise the colour pallet and style of the planting. A quote for supplying the plants, setting them out and planting can also be supplied from this plan.

Landscaping Plans are the drawings and specifications that enable a landscaper to quote accurately for the work, and build the garden. Supporting imagery and 3D graphics are also used at this stage.

Creating a new garden is a big decision and it is really important to me that you are happy and exited about the work ahead.

A recommended contractor will be introduced to you, and a fixed price quotation prepared, breaking down each element of the works into sections so you can choose how you want to proceed and when. If you have your own contractors, I am happy to work with them too.

The level of project management required will differ for each garden. I can offer advise on what you might need, based on my experience, to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

In many cases a simple layout session with the landscaper will suffice and I am available to make site visits as required by the contractor or the client on request.

More complex or larger gardens often have more elements that need managing throughout the build. I am available to oversee the entire garden build, from finding reliable contractors and scheduling works, to the final planting and lighting details. I work together with the client, to ensure that the build goes to plan, schedules are followed and everything is covered, taking the stress out of the build for you and ensuring that the highest quality of garden is obtained.

I personally oversee the planting for your new garden. From gaining quotes for the supply of the perfect plants, to the delivery and laying out on site. I work with wonderful plantsmen who ensure that everything is planted as it should be to ensure a beautiful and blooming garden.

After the garden has been built and planted, I offer my clients a walk around the garden to go over the aftercare requirements, it enables me to answer any queries you might have and to hand over the garden.

Thereafter I offer one-to-one training on how to correctly prune and care for your garden, sessions explaining how to successfully replant, and the nurture required for specific species. These are fun and informative lessons and I have found they really help clients to get the most out of a new garden.

I usually find that within a few visits clients have learned enough to carry on without me. For larger scale maintenance I am also happy to advise and arrange a garden maintenance company to come in and tend to your garden.

The following breaks down common costs and fees. These will always be agreed before work commences.

• Full Design to Completion Service

  Expect design & consultancy fees to account for approximately 10% of the garden budget. A minimum design fee of £2,500 applies.

• Consultancy

  Commonly this is to work alongside other professionals you may have in place, either in the role of a design consultant or as a project manager, charged hourly at £90.

• Practical Work

  Practical work including planting and maintenance, charged hourly at £50.

All stated prices exclude VAT.

Every project is different, but after an initial consultation I will be able to give you details on my availability and offer estimates based on the size and location of your garden.

I work primarily around Brighton & Hove and through Sussex, but can take on projects throughout the South-East of England. For areas which aren't practical to reach in person I offer a remote design service for clients across the UK and internationally.