When I first meet you as a potential client, two things are important. First, is getting to know each other and making sure we are on the same wavelength. That should happen naturally as, second, we establish what needs to be done and if what I offer is right for you.
Discovery
To establish what needs to be done, the process I go through is similar for all jobs. Of course, some jobs are much simpler than others and the process would then be largely implicit and more straightforward. When first meeting you, the questions in my mind will be:
1. Objective and purpose
- How much and what will it be used for and by whom? You might just want your garden to look lovely as a place to look at and relax in or it could be a place where lots of activities take place, whether BBQs, children playing or a space including a dining area, summer house, gym or garden office
- What would you like and what are your preferences? You may have clear and specific ideas as to what you want in the garden and where or you may have more general ideas which you want to explore. Whatever your preferences, it is my job to evaluate if your specific ideas work and to help you explore where you want to get to
- An important consideration is what everything costs. If you have a specific budget in mind, then I need to work out how far it will stretch and what you can expect to get for it. If you are more focused on the final result, my job is to work out what it is likely to cost you and give you the best value for money for the quality you want.
2. Assessing your garden
- The landscape and soil type
- The areas of the garden in relation to the sun’s position
- The surroundings and any specific factors such as key features that need to be brought out, problems with boggy ground that need mitigating or visual eyesores that could ideally be camouflaged.
3. Estimating the work
- Estimating the work that will be involved, who might do it, over what period and how much it will cost.
Delivery
At our meeting or shortly afterwards, I will give you a proposal and an estimate. Sometimes a straightforward job can be agreed straightaway. Other work will require a written proposal. Once we have agreed the work, I will go through some or all of the following stages, the extent of which will depend on the complexity of the brief and whether or not contractors are required. These are:
- Developing the concept, where I will sketch out some ideas and options for you.
- A more detailed design covering any construction and landscaping with a proposed layout and including various options for plant combinations.
- Once we agree a clear specification, the plans will be ready for discussions with potential contractors and, as required, setting up a tendering process.
- Construction and implementation will be based on a masterplan and planting plan.
- Supervision of the construction and landscaping work, if any, and of planting.
- Monitoring the progress of the garden and looking after it until it is fully established.
- Maintaining the garden thereafter.
Whilst I can do all of these stages (or supervise contractors doing them), I can also just provide designs. It all depends on what you, the client, want!