Garden Design

Step 1

Initial consultation

Our initial consultation is an informal meeting at the garden to discuss your ambitions for your outdoor space; timescales and the budget you wish to dedicate.

I will bring along my portfolio and explain the garden design process to you, so you have a full understanding of the different stages involved.

Having discussed the scope and nature of your project we will advise an overall budget cost and level of design fee. We will shortly after send you a Design Fee Proposal which details the design services we recommend.

Should you wish to accept our proposal and instruct us to design your garden we now move on to step 2.

Step 2

Survey & site analysis

The survey & site analysis measures and records physical information about your garden and provides a scale drawing on which to overlay design ideas.

This includes measuring the site, buildings, access points, windows and ground levels. We also record the setting of the site, soil type, drainage, aspect, micro climate, existing features and materials and other relevant items. A photo’ survey of the site is also undertaken at this time. 

For smaller, less complex spaces the survey may be carried out during the design brief consultation visit. Large or complex sites will be surveyed on a separate visit.

Together with the design brief we now have all of the information we need to work up the design concept.

Step 3

Design brief consultation

This is the time to discuss exciting ideas which will form the basis of the design brief and also to discuss your budget in more detail.

We will discuss your ideas and the things you would like your garden to offer you. We will look at how you would like to use and enjoy the garden and the kind of style and atmosphere you would like your garden to have.  We will consider all of those practical things too like ease of maintenance, access and storage etc. together with any ‘wish list’ of items you would love to include.

So if you have collected any images of gardens, materials or planting styles that you would like considered in the design, now is a great time to show me.

I will also assess your garden from a design perspective – looking at the opportunities and limitations of the site, considering the views, aspect, levels, soil structure and access.

Following on from our consultation I will draft a Design Brief Summary and send it on to you for your approval, to ensure that we have understood fully your requirements.  

The Design Brief will provide the basis for moving on to creation of the design concept which will also be informed by the site survey.

Step 4

Concept plan

Created from the design brief and survey, the design concept plan illustrates our vision for your garden.

The concept plan is a 2D scaled drawing accompanied by a style board showing photos of proposed plants, materials and other items to illustrate the layout, style and atmosphere of the design. We also offer the option of a rendered perspective drawing to show a 3D view of the space. This is particularly useful where complex changes of level are present.

I will present and discuss the concept plan with you in person, taking note of your feedback and any design revisions you may want to make. Alternatively you may wish to receive the plans as digital files by email. All of the drawings are created on computer with industry standard software. This means we can share them with other professional like architects and planning officers should you require.

Once you have approved the concept plan we will prepare a detailed masterplan.

Step 5

Masterplan & construction drawings

The masterplan & construction drawings translate the creative design concept into reality.

They detail all of the hard and soft landscaping elements in your scheme (planting beds, surfaces, structures, bespoke features, lighting etc) accurately and to scale.

The masterplan is accompanied by a detailed planting plan.

Step 6

Planting plan

The planting scheme is designed to work with the growing conditions of your garden and establish the atmosphere and ambience of your scheme.

A planting plan is prepared showing the location for each plant, its botanical name, size and quantity included. This information is also summarised on a separate plant schedule.

Together with the masterplan, this concludes forms the basis for preparing a detailed costing and quotation for installation of your new landscape.

Step 7

Build-contract specifications & pricing

Working from the masterplan and planting plan we will prepare build contract specifications and pricing for Frosts to install your new landscape.

This concludes the design phase of your project, however our designer will remain involved throughout the build with sourcing & project monitoring.

Step 8

Sourcing & project monitoring

We will source the best solutions for your scheme in terms of materials, plants and bespoke items, to deliver the finest outcome for your design.

Our designer will also work closely with our skilled craftsmen and landscaping team throughout your build to ensure the installation remains faithful to our concept.