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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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Take a look at our Garden Design specialists profiles, read reviews and request quotes directly.

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

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  • 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.

AR Landscapers Ltd is a local business that always makes sure a satisfied customer experience is always maintained. A business with a friendly service and years of experience in the gardening industry.

Latest homeowner review
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Reviewed by Sam on 8/3/2026

very reasonable price, great thorough work done and detailed breakdown of what was to be done, easy payment method. Very understanding of accommodating my autistic teen who is anxious of having unknown people at the house, which I appreciate very much. Highly recommended on all counts.

LPPM Ltd has 30 years experance in pond and pool construction service/ managment and landscape gardening our dedecated team of staff are always helpfull and willing to go the extra mile to ensure compleate customer satisfaction.

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Reviewed by Richela on 2/5/2019

We are very happy to recommend this company.They were excellent and the team were a real pleasure to deal with and have around. They gave a detailed quote and gave good advice helping us stay in budget without losing quality or the end design. They underestimated the number of days the work would take but we were happy to negotiate the cost - no pressure from them to do this, but we could see where the time was spent. Communication was also excellent & they turned up on time every time. Delighted!

Hello. My name is Remus Petelenciuc and my profession is handyman, this includes carpentry, drywall, flooring, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, painting, roofing, and windows and doors. I save people's life using my skills and tool's, so that my costumers don't have to worry about geting home after work and find a mess.You can sit down and relax wail i do the job. Why me? Why am I different from others? I have 20 year construction experience,more then 100 house's build from bottom to top, can give you a free quote for different jobs you need to be done. You have my business card here. If you want, give me your business card and I'll send you an email or a text to see when we meet up to fix your problems. King Regards Remus

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Reviewed by Jermaine on 17/3/2026

Nationwide tree services No job to big or to small No obligation free quotes All tree work under taken

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Reviewed by Brian on 1/11/2020

Lee came and quoted the same day, after agreeing a price the work was carried out within the next few days, pictures were sent of the progress as I was at work. We were completely satisfied with the work and would recommend

We offer the highest quality materials at affordable prices we are giving our customers designs ideas and a service that is above and beyond. with all of our work if it’s a new Driveway/patio/roof your covered with a garuntee all of our work Is fully covered with public liability We don’t take any payment upfront only on completion of the work Tarmac-Block paving-resin-SMA-Lose Gravel-Hostoric Flags-Concrete-New Roof/flat-fencing-repointing-Driveway repair-Driveway seal-Walls-Rendering and much more. NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED Covering all of northen Ireland

5 Star rated company with Affordable prices and outstanding work with friendly and reliable staff Masters in Paving & Landscaping

here at DMHS CONTRACTORS , we deliver bespoke, high-end landscaping and groundworks, drainge reaper and jetting and waste removel within the domestic and commercial industry. Every project is approached with precision, expertise, and an uncompromising commitment to quality. From beautifully crafted outdoor spaces to expertly executed groundwork solutions, our work is defined by attention to detail, premium materials, and flawless execution. We collaborate closely with our clients to create elegant, functional environments that enhance both value and longevity. Whether it’s a private residence or a commercial DMHS CONTRACTORS provides a seamless, professional service where excellence is standard and results speak for themselves.

BM Developments are specialists in the construction of new home builds, built to individual client specification. We also have expertise in the construction of extensions, conversions, and other home modifications. All tradesmen work within the company from Labourers ,Roofers and Roughcasters ,Plumbers and Joiners,Brickie’s and Electricians to make sure we are in full control of any project we are on and be able to deliver the projects on time if you have and queries please get in touch.

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Reviewed by Janice on 11/7/2022

BMD completed the job a head of time and within budget. The trades men were all good they respected our home and always cleaned up after themselves. Could not say a bad word about them (even the singing brickies). I am so glad I got these alterations done I got the right builder for the job.

As a small building business based in West Norwood we carry out various building and maintenance jobs throughout South London. We offer free quotations on all works and customers also benefit from the good relationships we have with various local suppliers, allowing us to provide discounts on many of the materials and goods needed. Through 10 years of trading we are able to offer various advice before and during the project on material and supplier choice, and the general aesthetics of the completed work. We work efficiently and cleanly and are strict on time keeping. I look forrard to quoting on your project.

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Reviewed by Joanne on 28/8/2019

Excellent work. Delighted with our wetroom. Ross and his team are soon fitting a new kitchen as well.

Family run business. We have over 20 years in the trade, as a Kitchen fitter & bathroom installer. We offer a complete turn-key service & all trades are undertaken personally.. One call and we take care of it all.

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Reviewed by Sandy on 13/1/2021

If I could I would give him 10 stars as they don't go up that high! He was very prompt and courteous and his work was exemplary. I have asked him to come back and do more work for me

VIKING GARDEN SERVICES Ltd is a team of skilled, ex-military, professional gardeners providing gardening services to customers in Rushmore and surrounding areas. We focus on the visions and unique requirements of our customers. Private and commercial contracts carried out, and tasks of any size can be undertaken. Full Public Liability Insurance is carried. Quotations provided without obligation. Our uniformed staff are friendly, helpful and polite. VAT registered. Gardening is not just our job - it is our passion!

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Reviewed by Pat on 24/4/2018

We felt very comfortable with Micheal which is important to us as my mum is deaf and needs to feel that whoever comes into the home is pleasant and friendly . Happy with the price and the work done so far

We are a friendly building service with 20 years experience in the building and construction industry . We specialise in extensions , loft conversions , garage conversions and much more . We have a very keen eye for detail and aim to deliver jobs in very good time and to the highest spec . All works undertaken will come with a full written works agreement and all completed works will come with a full written guarantee upon completion of works . All tradesman that work for HEYBRIDGE home improvements are all full qualified to NVQ level 3 in their respective fields . Thank you for reading and we look forward to hearing from you

Hi and welcome to hi-tech tree and garden services we are a well established family run business that covers the Dorset , Hampshire and Somerset areas we cover all aspects of tree and gardening services all our work is carried out to the highest standard. All our team are fully qualified and insured

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Reviewed by Melina on 6/8/2025

B M Tree Services are a family run business with 25 years experience In the tree surgery, gardening & landscaping industry. Covering the entire South and South East of England, we have full public liability insurance and are always here to help free quotations and advice

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Reviewed by brian on 31/3/2026

Hi, my name is Wojtek. I am from Poland and have been working in the construction industry for 20 years. I graduated from a construction school in Poland. I’ve been living in England for 11 years, where I’ve gained extensive knowledge of building materials, principles, and types of construction work. I mainly focus on general construction, but my specialty is complete bathroom renovations — from total demolition to final finishing (plastering, drywall installation, floor screeding, plumbing, minor electrical work, ceramic and porcelain tiling, bathroom installations, painting). I am also a professional in insulating external walls with polystyrene, mesh, and various types of plaster (mineral, acrylic, silicate). Similar to bathroom renovations, I am an expert in insulation as well. I have extensive experience in Poland and am gaining more practice in England, though this type of work is still less common here. So far, I have completed several full home renovations. As mentioned, I have no issues with painting (using a paint sprayer), plastering, radiator replacements or repositioning, minor electrical work (the only thing I don't do is laying carpets). Depending on the type and scale of the job, I can adjust the number of people needed to complete the project if necessary. Thanks to my vast experience, I can assist with any type of renovation and ensure it meets high standards. I guarantee full dedication to every project.

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Reviewed by Jerry on 18/10/2025

WM did a fantastic job on my bathroom i'd highly recommend him.

Www.kerrconstruction.co.uk Welcome to Kerr Construction. A company with a full range of experience to ensure all projects are completed with the best quality. We cover a wide range of projects with a capable team. Ensuring the best possible outcome on all projects for the client.

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Reviewed by Joyce? on 17/8/2023

I've been in the trade for 35 years, Our main business includes house renovations and conversions, completing jobs such as converting 3 bedroom houses into 5 bedroom houses including en suites, We also complete corporate work including office renovations. Everything is completed in house efficiently and to a high standard.

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Reviewed by Martin on 31/5/2023

Shaun and the Team did a great job for me the house has been fully referbished to a very high standard. New bathroom walk in shower new ceiling in hall ,all decorated throughout. New Kitchen-Diner-Lounge and Extension excellent.

? Here at SJS landscaping we are a family run business with many years experience in fencing, turfing patios, decking, artificial grass, gravel tree care and many more in the landscapeing category working on a basis of completing all the necessary work with no upfront payments for piece of mind ?

Friendly and reliable service, one-off jobs as well as on-going work, Gardening, Painting & Decorating, Fencing, Guttering. Paving.

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Reviewed by Smera on 18/5/2022

He did an amazing job on my garden. Absolutely love his work and will highly recommend him to all my friends and family. His work was quick and efficient and made my garden look stunning. Definitely will use his services on a regular basis. Best gardener I have ever had... thankyou so much.

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