Anyone recommend a garden designer/landscape gardener in South West UK?

rosinavera · 2022-05-02T09:05:51+00:00

Hi there, Just wondering if anyone in South West UK can recommend a garden designer/landscape designer that isn't mega expensive. I really don't know where to start!

Original poster

rosinavera · 04/05/2022 17:40

Well I emailed one! I was quoted £1,800 to £3,000.00 for a design for a small to medium sized garden and then £18,000.00 to £50,000.00 for the build depending on the materials/features used.

OP posts:

Littlemissprosecco · 04/05/2022 17:41

Omg! I’m in the wrong job!

Littlemissprosecco · 04/05/2022 17:42

Or I could give it a go for half!🤣

Original poster

rosinavera · 04/05/2022 17:52

I know!! Incredible isn't it!!

OP posts:

Littlemissprosecco · 04/05/2022 17:56

There must be someone who can sketch something simple up for you to start with. Get to grips with that, then elaborate later if you want to.
if you do find someone make sure you know what soil you have! I spent a lot over the years and most things died. Then a neighbour said we have alkaline clay!! I took to google and now all is growing well

Littlemissprosecco · 04/05/2022 17:58

May be your local garden centre could help?

Original poster

rosinavera · 04/05/2022 18:01

Littlemissprosecco · 04/05/2022 17:58

May be your local garden centre could help?

That's a good idea - will start there. Have started to email a few more hoping that's there are cheaper options out there.

OP posts:

Littlemissprosecco · 04/05/2022 18:03

Local agricultural/ student designer colleges??
good luck

Original poster

rosinavera · 04/05/2022 18:06

Littlemissprosecco · 04/05/2022 18:03

Local agricultural/ student designer colleges??
good luck

Thank you!😀

OP posts:

SalsaLove · 04/05/2022 18:12

www.chloewoodgardendesign.com

LittlePearl · 04/05/2022 18:12

We used Jenny Short (based in Lyme Regis) and she was great. She came to our house, talked through what we wanted and then sat in the garden while she drew a plan which she chatted through with us as she went along. She left the plan with us at the end.

She charges by the hour plus travel. I think we paid £50 / hour and she was here for 5 hours. She gave us some fantastic advice, took into account all our preferences, and suggested some things we'd never thought of.

She also recommended the garden landscaper that came the following summer and did the work (that bit WAS expensive, but we have a big plot and had a fair bit of hard landscaping). There was no obligation to use him, we asked for her recommendations and she suggested him because he's done work with / for her in the past.

I've recommended her to other people and they've been very pleased with her work.

Original poster

rosinavera · 04/05/2022 18:23

LittlePearl · 04/05/2022 18:12

We used Jenny Short (based in Lyme Regis) and she was great. She came to our house, talked through what we wanted and then sat in the garden while she drew a plan which she chatted through with us as she went along. She left the plan with us at the end.

She charges by the hour plus travel. I think we paid £50 / hour and she was here for 5 hours. She gave us some fantastic advice, took into account all our preferences, and suggested some things we'd never thought of.

She also recommended the garden landscaper that came the following summer and did the work (that bit WAS expensive, but we have a big plot and had a fair bit of hard landscaping). There was no obligation to use him, we asked for her recommendations and she suggested him because he's done work with / for her in the past.

I've recommended her to other people and they've been very pleased with her work.

That's really helpful - can I ask what she charged for a design and were you really happy with it?

OP posts:

Original poster

rosinavera · 04/05/2022 18:24

SalsaLove · 04/05/2022 18:12

www.chloewoodgardendesign.com

I'll take a look - thank you 😀

OP posts:

Original poster

rosinavera · 04/05/2022 18:31

LittlePearl · 04/05/2022 18:12

We used Jenny Short (based in Lyme Regis) and she was great. She came to our house, talked through what we wanted and then sat in the garden while she drew a plan which she chatted through with us as she went along. She left the plan with us at the end.

She charges by the hour plus travel. I think we paid £50 / hour and she was here for 5 hours. She gave us some fantastic advice, took into account all our preferences, and suggested some things we'd never thought of.

She also recommended the garden landscaper that came the following summer and did the work (that bit WAS expensive, but we have a big plot and had a fair bit of hard landscaping). There was no obligation to use him, we asked for her recommendations and she suggested him because he's done work with / for her in the past.

I've recommended her to other people and they've been very pleased with her work.

Sorry, just realised you've said how much she charged! 😊

OP posts:

SockFluffInTheBath · 04/05/2022 21:43

OP if you know what kind of soil you have, know how the sun moves etc then have a go yourself at drawing up something yourself in the meantime- you’ve nothing to lose. There are lots of YouTube videos about garden design, and some plant websites like crocus have a few designs already put together which you could use for inspiration.

LittlePearl · 04/05/2022 22:50

Yes, we were delighted with the plan.

I thought her fees were very reasonable compared to the other people we looked at who seemed to be charging £££ for their designs. We liked the fact that she actually did it there and then in conversation with us.

Original poster

rosinavera · 05/05/2022 08:44

SockFluffInTheBath · 04/05/2022 21:43

OP if you know what kind of soil you have, know how the sun moves etc then have a go yourself at drawing up something yourself in the meantime- you’ve nothing to lose. There are lots of YouTube videos about garden design, and some plant websites like crocus have a few designs already put together which you could use for inspiration.

I'm a bit scared to do it myself to be honest. I really think I need some help with it but I'll have a look on Youtube - thanks!

OP posts:

Original poster

rosinavera · 05/05/2022 08:45

LittlePearl · 04/05/2022 22:50

Yes, we were delighted with the plan.

I thought her fees were very reasonable compared to the other people we looked at who seemed to be charging £££ for their designs. We liked the fact that she actually did it there and then in conversation with us.

That's good to know - I'm going to have a look at her website - thank you so much!

OP posts:

Original poster

rosinavera · 05/05/2022 11:05

Oh my goodness!! I emailed a local landscaping business and was told that their projects typically range from 25k to 150k!!!!! I will keep looking though.......

OP posts:

BalhamSteph · 12/09/2024 20:27

Appreciate this is an old thread but thought I’d drop in a business I found www.urbanplot.co.uk. A lot cheaper (£225) than the above as it’s all online, but I was really happy with what they did for my garden. You just need to fill in a questionnaire after you’ve bought. There was a bit of back and forth to get the brief perfect but what they came back with was really creative. Btw - I went for the Complete package so got layout and planting plans plus all the care tips for the plants they recommended.

Garden Design Reinvented | Buy Online From Only £95 | Urban Plot

At Urban Plot we've simplified garden design making it fast, simple and affordable. Buy online in 2 minutes from only £95 and transform your urban space in just 7 days. Start Now!

http://www.urbanplot.co.uk

macshoto · 12/09/2024 21:19

What you have been quoted is about right for a garden designer with qualifications / experience / medals from (more minor) shows. If they don't have at least some of those it's maybe a stretch.

£50/hour is probably only going to get you someone starting out or doing it as a hobby on the side.

Build costs generally come from hard landscaping (e.g. walls, paving, paths etc), water features, lighting and starting with larger plants (e.g. mature slow-growing shrubs, trees etc).

If you have limited hard landscaping requirements and are prepared to wait for your garden to grow into the design it can be done for less.