...to feel uncomfortable about paying upfront

Have seen similar situation discussed on here before. can kind of understand garden designers asking for money before spending hours designing a garden, but no, I would not do this

Yes - I showed him that I had the money in an instant access account ready to go, but I wasn't keen on paying up front.

The initial quote was for £10k but I added some things along the way (the whole new lawn for example) - the idea was 50% at the start and 50% on completion.

I said I'd pay 50% once the hardscaping materials had arrived so at least I'd have something of value if he did disappear. I'm guessing his cost price was a good bit less than 50% so he was happy to do that.

Hmm this sounds unusual. I’m also in the Home Counties.

Ive had some landscaping done paid after work was done. I think I paid a deposit for tree surgery but can’t remember for sure. I know we definitely paid that night or the next morning. what I find really helps on all house stuff is to find people very local to you. There’s more trust both ways.

I currently have a garden designer involved and she’s £30 an hour. I’m more than happy to pay that for design. Ended up that she ended up digging out the beds (which was a big expensive at £30 an hour rather than the £18ph I pay our gardener but he is only able to do 3 hours a week due to his other commitments and we just don’t have the time ourselves)

ready made bed designs with plants are available from the following websites:
garden on a roll
crocus
Beth chatto

(sorry on my phone and can’t link easily but do google)

I had a large bed to do so was going to pick one for sun one for shade and plant in the same bed next to each other. But I’m trying to achieve something specific so decided to employ a garden designer instead. I will probably do one of the Crocus plans in another part of the garden.

I’d pay materials upfront labour after. No way would I pay the whole amount in advance

We employed a garden designer during lockdown, after 10 years in our new build looking at a square of patchy lawn.

He came by to have a look and take some measurements (12m x 12m if you're interested!). He then sent us a few mood board type things with images of ideas for various styles of garden (coastal, country cottage, etc) for us to pick from. Then he said he would do a full plan for us for £750 and we take it away and DIY, or he could do the whole project - that was the first time he asked for money.

We got him to do the whole shebang which came to just under £12k. We paid £5k once all the materials had arrived on site with the remainder on completion of the job.

That included levelling the whole area out, two areas of patio approx 50m2, multiple raised planting beds from sleepers, new paths down either side of the house, new gate on the rear fence, a new lawn, all plants/bushes/trees, all the decorative gravel etc. and 2 sets of garden furniture that we bought.

Don't trust linked in - mine is so much embroidery about my side interests that I have been contacted by so many agencies (I am not job hunting happy where I am but it's a good way of contacting ex colleagues)

There are online services now where you can give the measurements of the bed you are planting and pick a style you are going for. They send you the plants in numbered pots, with a numbered membrane/guide to put down. This might be something to consider as it takes some of the thinking out for you so you just do the planting. I just googled “garden by numbers” as I couldn’t remember what it was called 😂 and loads of options came up

Where we live in the US, the typical payment schedule is 1/3 when you sign the contract; 1/3 around halfway through; and final 1/3 upon completion.

Is it similar where you’re from? I’d offer that schedule perhaps,

I was once asked for 80% upfront for a job and turned them down, def. fishy to pay too much at the start.

Oh never mind then, if you were local to me I could have suggested a great plant nursery.

Ah - yes I see. Maybe come over onto the MN gardening board if you have any questions about plants etc.

If you are going to be the person maintaining them long-term, make sure you explain that to the designer, because you would be best off with things that look after themselves and don't need a lot of pruning and fiddling about. Less is more. Perhaps go for ornamental flowering shrubs rather than a load of herbaceous perennials.

My local area has a local Facebook page
Do you have one for your area ?
This is whete we also find local people to help

People discuss things like

Local news
Local charities/events/clubs
Selling or giving away odd items
Lost pet
Need a local electrician/plumber/gardener/cleaner/baby sitter who can provide recommendations

Suggest find someone local who has had garden work done & get some local recommendations

My friend had some major work done by a very local builder/gardener (this means that you are not paying for their travel & staying overnight)

The same builder/gardener came round & provided me with a quote
We agreed on the work & price
Builder provided timescale to do the work
Work half carried out & I paid half
Work completed, I paid full amount
Job completed everyone 😊 happy

@ohime Whereabouts in the country are you?

You've got 'garden designer' and 'landscape gardener' mixed up.

A garden designer will create a garden design for you. The design artwork itself is what costs you the money. They want paying for the work they have done in creating the design.

A landscape gardener will ask you what you want, scribble something on the back of a fag packet, and then cost it up, agree a price with you and set about building the thing.

Totally different animals.

Don’t pay up front & cancel the appointment

This email could be interpreted as you accepting their terms of business

Nope. Dont do it. There’s something fishy here.

Get AI to do it in various styles - ask landlord which they prefer. Scop out more designers with their reviews. Get an all inclusive price. Don't pay upfront.