Building a new garden is a rather complex process involving significant
investment of time and money and a wide range of elements and possibilities.
Differences in the way these elements are laid out, and the materials and
construction methods used, can make major differences to the cost, quality and
usability of the final result. For anything but the simplest works a design plan
of some kind is essential for the following reasons:
- Good design will mean your garden will look better
- Good design will mean that your garden will be more functional and practical
- Good design will save you money
- Having a design will give you flexibility and control in the construction of the
garden
- Design plans provide clarity so that all parties are aware of exactly what works
are being undertaken
Van Leeuwen Green offers a range of design options that cover the full range of
budgets, gardens and design goals. By breaking down the process into various
design types, we are able to offer you a service that is more tailored to your
needs and therefore represents better value for money.
What We Provide
Initial consultation. Whichever design option you may ultimately choose,
the process begins with an initial consultation. The purpose of this visit is
to:
- Help you identify opportunities for improving and transforming your garden
- Discuss your wishes and ideas
- Allow us to examine the site
- Provide you with some rough estimates of the potential cost of various landscape
elements you wish to include. This helps you decide what possibilities can
realistically be achieved
- Clarify which of our design services are best suited to your needs
- Provide you with a written quote for the design option/s of your choice
Final Design Plan
In some cases, we can go straight to a final design plan. This plan shows the
exact layout of all elements and the materials used. For example, the exact
location of every plant will be shown, and its name listed. Such a drawing can
be used by us (or by a different contractor) to provide an accurate quote.
Concept Plan
However, because of the complexity of many design situations, it is often
advisable to break the process into two steps. Thus, before the final design
plan is produced, a concept plan is drawn-up. Concept plans are a ‘first draft’.
They are a preliminary version of the design with a focus on getting the layout
right, and allow you to further discuss and refine the design before completion.
Cost
Design costs vary depending on many factors such as the overall size of the
landscape, the number of discrete garden areas (such as front and rear gardens,
courtyards) and the complexity of the elements involved. Obviously a design
process involving two steps (concept and final plan) will cost more than a
one-step plan (final plan only).