The first meeting is typically on site and is a discovery process to meet the client, see the lay of the land, and understand the overall objectives and themes for the design.

We will look through sample plans and start to build out a high-level picture of what the project will entail.

Discussing a budget is an important part of this first meeting, as it can set the tone for the whole design. There is no point putting together a glamorous concept if the budget can’t afford to build it, and likewise a basic design will be underwhelming to a client who has the means to afford something better.

To help with budget setting, the generally accepted rule of thumb is a nicely landscaped garden will boost a property value by anything up to 20%, with a more common increase sitting around 12%. So you should be able to spend at least 10% of the current value of the property and know you’re going to make a return on it.

Following the initial consultation, and approximate budget establishment, we will put together a fee proposal for the design.

For total build costs under around $30,000 the minimum fee for a concept design should cover it. For more complex builds, fees are calculated on a percentage of total cost.

Once the fee proposal has been accepted, the concept design process starts. This involves returning to the site to work through the following:

• Client Brief questionnaire
• Site survey
• Site inventory
• Site appraisal

This enables a concept plan to be drawn with any existing inventory (eg house, sheds, paths, mature trees) and the new design can be built out from there.

The concept plan will include a suggested plant schedule and plant palette, but otherwise a scheme to give a general idea of the design, in 2D.

For those wanting to really take their design to the next level, and get a good feel for the finished look before it has even started, we can take it to the next stage of 3D renders and a full set of plans.

Investing extra up front to get the design right is easy insurance against expensive construction mistakes. This service includes:

• 3D video tour, including night settings if lighting is part of the design
• 3D views
• Plant detail plan
• Hardscape detail plan
• Construction detail olan (if reguired)
• Maintenance plan

An additional service we offer is managing the entire build process for you.

When the concept and/or full design is finalised, we will then work with one or more contractors to provide quotes for implementation, and then manage those contractors throughout the build.

This saves you the headache of having to manage multiple people, and means we can ensure the plan is being carried out correctly and to our standards.