Garden Design Services

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Excellent job done would recommend

Robert

James was responsive to our request for a quote, for felling a large ash tree we suspected had died. He replied to messages quickly, turned up when he said he would, and was correct that our tree had in fact died. James was professional the whole time and we would have no hesitation in hiring and recommending him to others in the future.

Joanne

Excellent service. Hard working, polite, professional team. Lovely job. Would recommend.

Anne

Below you’ll find information to help you understand the different elements of garden design and the key things to be aware of before you start transforming your outside space. Find some initial ideas to talk through with a garden designer, including making the most of a small garden.

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Garden Design Services

What does garden design involve?

Garden design is about more than mowing a lawn and putting a couple of plants in the ground. A good design takes into account a few key elements:

  • How you want to use the space.
  • The amount of light the garden receives, and at what times of the day.
  • The quality of your soil.

For example, you won’t want to put a shed in the best spot for catching a bit of sun, or have a patio that’s entirely in the shade.

A garden designer will help you make the most of the available space, no matter how big or small. They’ll also establish how keen a gardener you are to make sure the finished garden is either easy to maintain, or gives you something to get your teeth into – if you’re the green-fingered type.  

Cost of garden design work

The cost of the work will depend on what you’re having done and the size of your garden, but prices tend to start at around £200. A good garden designer will discuss what you want to get out of your garden and ask you about your budget before coming up with ideas.

Low maintenance garden ideas

  • You can stop a garden from looking untidy by dividing it into small sections. Plants, hedges, low walls and raised beds give a sense of order. Paths made from wood chips, slabs or bark help prevent weeds.
  • Growing plants at different heights can give the illusion of there being more than there are, so you get the look of a fuller garden, with fewer plants to keep healthy. Shrubs, herbs and verbena are low maintenance plant options for adding colour.
  • Rockeries and water features don’t need much looking after. Avoid shallow water features to save needing to top them up when they dry out. If you’d like a pond, avoid getting fish as the pH balance of the water settles naturally without them, giving you fewer algae problems so less cleaning time.
  • To save cutting the lawn, artificial turf could be your best friend but if you want the real thing and don’t mind doing a little cutting every now and again, slow growing or drought resistant turf could be better options.

Ideas for small gardens

  • To create more space, choose similar flooring to the inside of your home when picking the outside tiling.
  • Divide a garden into different sections and add diagonal or winding paths. Extending the time it takes to get from one side of the garden to the other will make it feel bigger.
  • Laying pavers at an angle to the property instead of parallel will draw the eye across the garden and extend the space.
  • Attaching foliaged climbers to wires across areas of your garden will give it an extra dimension.
  • Think about growing upwards rather than outwards with a trellis attached to your fence, or a vertical wall made up of climbers, grasses and ferns. A green wall can also help you lower your energy bills through providing more insulation and reducing the amount of heat that’s lost through the wall of your home. When it comes to choosing other plants, pick types that grow upwards like sweet peas and black-eyed susans so they take up less room.

Planning permission for garden design jobs

Planning permission only comes into play when you’re building or installing decking, fences, walls and gates. You’ll need to apply for planning permission if:

  • The decking would be higher than 30cm above the ground.
  • The decking or other raised platforms would cover more than half of the total area of the garden.
  • A fence, gate or wall would be over 2 metres high, or over 1 metre high near a highway that’s used by vehicles (or a footpath next to the highway).
  • The fence, gate or wall would form a boundary with a listed building or land.

If you live in a listed building or you have a front garden that you want to pave over, you should check with your Local Planning Authority as different rules may apply.

Insurance for garden design work

While it’s not a legal requirement, it’s a good idea for all garden designers to have public liability insurance so they’re covered for personal injuries or accidental damage to a property.

Questions you should ask your garden designer

  • How long have they been working as a garden designer for?
  • Can they show you examples of work they’ve carried out?
  • Can they give you a scaled design of what the finished garden will look like?
  • Do they have public liability insurance and what does this cover?
  • Will they give a guarantee for the work and how long does this last? Are there separate guarantees for different plants?
  • Does the quote for the work include waste disposal? If not, check with your local council how you would go about getting it taken away.

We are a gardening and landscaping company and cover all types of work regardless of size. We take pride in our work and offer very competitive rates and we believe we offer a service like no other. We have built up a good reputation in and around Cambridge and Royston areas over the years. We have a passion for the trade and a understanding how important your outside space is to you.

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Reviewed by Peter on 12/2/2023

I am a small family run business. My business was established in 2014. I would describe myself as friendly, reliable and reasonably priced. most of my work comes through recommendations.

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Reviewed by William on 13/10/2025

Whether you are a business, landlord or homeowner, save time and expense with our single source for your commercial property maintenance or home decorating and repair needs.we have over 25 years experience working with companies like the NHS and AGE U.K, NAPIT Registered

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Reviewed by Davies on 30/3/2025

Good communication skill

Services we offer include but are not limited to: -Brick and blockwork -Fencing (new and repairs) -Artificial grass / turf installation -Block paving/patio -Garden landscaping and design -Security fencing/gates -Demolition

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Reviewed by Peter on 16/8/2025

Thank you did a great job

Based in south Brent, we have been in the block paving and resurfacing tarmac driveways for over 30 years. During this time we gained a wealth of knowledge and expertise on which means we can offer our customers plenty of help when designing your driveway

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Reviewed by Matthew on 8/1/2018

Highly recommended, job was done as per request and work was completed to high standard. Very clean, tidy and professional - would use again

I have been maintaining, constructing and from the feedback from my clients, improving their home interiors and exteriors for the last five years. All my skill sets have been gained through experience and recognised professional qualifications. I respect that my workplace is your home or business so I act in a professional and sympathetic manner at all times. Trust is extremely important in the work I undertake so I offer both price work and daily rate so your project is as cost efficient as possible.

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Reviewed by Robert on 4/10/2024

Could not recommend highly enough! Richard completed the work to a very high standard in no time at all. Great communication, discussed the job and priced it up based on coming to see the exact task and likely duration. Incredibly helpful, didn't just do the job, but helped me move furniture etc. too. Genuinely nice person.

At tree care arborists lTD we work hard to achieve the ideal services for our customers. We are professional and specialized in tree care and maintaining gardens we also offer a full landscaping service, fully insured with Public Liability Insurance. We are experienced for over 12 years and dedicated in transforming residential landscapes across Berkshire , Hampshire and surrounding areas.

We do all aspects of building work Roofing, patios, driveway, decking, painting, electrical and more

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Reviewed by Lisa on 14/5/2023

Reliable, friendly, am really pleased with the work they did. Would definitely recommend.

I offer comprehensive gardening services tailored to meet your needs. My services include regular outdoor maintenance and regular lawn care, planting, weeding, mulching, pest control, seasonal clean-ups and irrigation system installation. I can take care of every aspect of your gardening, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space without the stress. Personalised Service Expertise and Experience Eco-Friendly Practices Transparent Pricing Satisfaction Guaranteed

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Reviewed by Trish on 13/4/2025

Reliable, knowledgeable gave in depth information on my plants. I could call him and he would spend time on answering all my questions. He came to my appointment on time no time wasted

Welcome to Langston Services – Your Trusted Handyman Service At Langston Services, we understand that home repairs and improvements can be daunting. Whether you're dealing with a leaky tap, need help assembling furniture, or have a larger renovation project in mind, we’re here to help. Our skilled and reliable team offers a wide range of services designed to make your life easier and your home more comfortable. With years of experience, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality, efficient work with a personal touch. Our goal is to provide you with the best handyman services that are not only affordable but also performed with precision and care. Why Choose Us? Experienced Professionals: Our handymen are experts in a variety of home maintenance tasks. Affordable Rates: We believe in providing great value for your investment. Reliable Service: We arrive on time, and we always complete the job to your satisfaction. Wide Range of Services: From minor repairs to major home projects, we’ve got you covered. Let us handle your to-do list, so you can focus on what matters most. Ready to get started? Contact us today for a free quote!

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Reviewed by Claire on 8/10/2025

A handful of odd jobs done quickly and to a good standard. Would recommend.

I am a sol trade,,

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Reviewed by Dee on 4/4/2025

Renova is a premier all-trade business specialising in a comprehensive range of building and home renovation projects. With expertise spanning every trade, we provide a seamless, end-to-end service for projects of all sizes, from small-scale refurbishments to large-scale developments. Our highly skilled team ensures exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail, delivering outstanding results that exceed client expectations. In addition to our core renovation services, we operate a sister business based in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire. This facility boasts a 3,500 sq. ft. showroom showcasing an extensive selection of high-quality kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, doors, and fitted furniture. This showroom allows our clients to explore a diverse range of premium products, ensuring they find the perfect solutions for their home improvement needs. Complementing our showroom, we have a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility dedicated to kitchen and bespoke joinery production. Our expert craftsmen utilise advanced techniques and the finest materials to create tailored solutions that combine functionality, style, and durability. Whether you require a custom-built kitchen, unique joinery pieces, or fully integrated fitted furniture, our manufacturing division ensures precision and quality at every stage. At Renova, we take pride in delivering a complete and hassle-free experience, managing every aspect of your project with professionalism and expertise. From initial consultation and design to construction and finishing touches, we are committed to bringing your vision to life with exceptional quality and service.

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Reviewed by Graeme on 18/11/2023

The loft converstion the guys did was brilliant. We are very happy with the outcome but more than that we were happy with the communication and the flexibility to work around our requirements. Nothing was too difficult the workers were always polite and clean. Couldn't recommend more.

We are a new and uprising company, which has very experienced workers of 10+ years in everything to do with Gardening. From cutting weeds, grass, branches and hedges to floral designing, moulding hedges and using the hard earned skills to make your garden look the best way possible. For our clients we don’t just tidy the garden we transform the garden. We can also give an artistic approach. We also have specialists in building, with cement, concrete, bricks, wood such as fencing, decks, path ways made from any material wanted, etc. We can do everything there is to do about gardening, and Some more! Such as waste removal. Like furniture or anything else. We’ll asses it, give you a quote and help you out.

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Reviewed by Ibi on 10/9/2025

Great service and excellent work. Took pride in their work and were very diligent.

Apex is a maintenance service company, specialising in Plumbing, Heating and General Building. Our experienced team offer a host of skills, covering many different sectors to allow us to be your one-stop shop. So whether you're a domestic customer with a plumbing and heating issue, or, a domestic client requiring general property solutions, we can tailor your needs under one roof. Our team is fully insured and with over 30 years of experience, we're the go-to company for plumbing and heating, with a quick-to-action call-out priority covering Oxfordshire, Bucks and Berkshire.

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Reviewed by Sri on 4/1/2024

Fantastic job. Clear communication and completed the work within time. Will recommend whole heartedly.

A friendly service you can trust to get the job done ((( liability insured )))

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Reviewed by Darren on 27/7/2025

Couldn't be happier with the work that David and Chris carried out. They completely transformed our garden and gave valuable input into the design as it progressed. They put in some serious hard graft to get the job completed in the timeframe they gave and the price we were quoted is exactly what we paid. They left the place clean and tidy as well. Absolutely would recommend, thanks guys..

We are a fast growing Driveway patio and roofing company based in oxfordshire. We are committed to providing a professional and efficient service at all times whilst maintaning the highest standards of our work. Our extensive experience in the industry make us the go to company for driveways patios landscaping gardening and roofing work throughout oxfordshire and the surrounding areas.

Transforming spaces into stunning havens, Clean Lines Paving is your go-to partner for all things construction and landscaping in North East London, Enfield, and beyond. With a rich legacy spanning over 20 years, our craftsmanship speaks volumes, whether it's crafting bespoke patios, driveways, fencing, or foundations. But we're more than just surfaces; we're your trusted allies in home transformation. From seamless garage and kitchen conversions to elegant one-story extensions and inviting porches, we bring your vision to life with precision and flair. At Clean Lines Paving, we understand that every project is unique, just like every home. That's why we offer a diverse range of designs to perfectly complement your space, ensuring that every inch reflects your style and personality. When it comes to property maintenance and repairs, trust in our expertise to keep your investment in pristine condition for years to come.

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Reviewed by Mohamed on 2/9/2024

Very pleasant, understanding and efficient. Quote as would be expected for the job. I’m very happy with this company.

I am a manager of the company Ace Landscapes which has been running for 20 years. We specialize in garden designing.

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Reviewed by Neil on 3/4/2024

Well done guys, you did a great job despite numerous set backs. It is much appreciated.

With many happy and returning customers over the last 10 years, you can be sure of being well looked after. Our aim is to provide a stress free project, delivered in a manner that I am confident will exceed your expectations. I work with a small team of trusted colleagues, who communicate and work together well. Our customers are accustomed the outstanding quality of projects we complete, by sourcing quality materials with experienced installers we create truly bespoke masterpieces lasting our customers many years. 5 year guarantees are included as standard on all completed work.

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Reviewed by Shamim on 21/4/2025

Leon was punctual and communicative and completed our landscaping job to a good standard and had some good design ideas. The team finished and cleaned up the entire work area in a tidy way. We have no hesitation in recommending him.

Over 20 years experience. From patios to decking to driveways.

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Reviewed by Munera on 9/7/2024

John came over to have a look at the job and gave me a quote for the artificial grass patch. He was very accommodating and the finish was superb. I am very happy with it. Thank you John

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