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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.
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I have been a professional in this industry for 28 years covering Sandwell, Birmingham and Wyre Forest. Providing a quality affordable service . Specialising in Landscaping (garden design and build) , Paving (block paving , Slabbing and Patio work) and brick work, Turfing, Tree work, Fencing and Grounds maintenance More recently I have been the Grounds Manager for a golf course and bowling greens. In line with government guidelines we are still providing our same fantastic services in safe conditions for all customers and the business.
Did a great job. Unfortunately cancelled last minute one of the days, due to illness, but worked like a trojan throughout. Really, really pleased with the results so far.
For your peace of mind , check us out on our face book page at cheshiregardenandproperty
Very competitive quote to lower very overgrown large privet hedge and trim branches off several overgrown trees. Very pleased with result, all waste taken away and there was a lot of it
Local carpenter and general builder, competitive prices, all 5 star reviews and references.
Dan visited and gave me a quote for the job. He then turned up with Tom to help on the day and have to say they did a very tidy job of strimming the grass, raking it up and clearing. Chopped up a dead tree which had fallen onto the land into logs and stacked tidy. They did what I asked them to do and were polite and informative in letting me know when they could next be here. Decent guys!
RPL paving and landscaping is a family run business with years of experience in all aspects of Roofing,paving and landscaping. nothing is to big nor small,from a small tree removal to full Garden design or a small roof repair to a complete new roof. we take great pride in our work and offer advice and free quotations. All our work projects are fully guaranteed work.
Due to a family problem I was unable to take up the job offer. It was accepted without question. Thankyou
where a family run business with over 20 years experience with a reputation built upon hard work and customer recommendatiosn and were so confident in what we do we offer a 10 year insurance backed guarantee
Created a safe play area using a rubber resin bound surface. Really pleased with finished job
Pontypool based company that specialises in all types of Carpentry and Landscaping work. All work undertaken is complete at a very high standard which leaves customers will complete happiness and satisfaction. Full qualified trades team in all different aspects. Free quotation regardless of circumstance.
Over 20 years experience. From patios to decking to driveways.
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
We are a family run company, we have a reputation for excellence and attention to detail, not only in the quality of work we do, but also in the high standard of customer service we provide. You only have to read our ratings on rated people to know that we are competitively priced. But we don't cut any corners - quality and value are what we offer. We liaise with you every step of the way, are knowledgeable and willing to give advice, before, during and after your work. You will always find us willing to help and answer any questions you have.s
Maurice completed this small job quickly and efficiently. Strongly recommended for general maintenance work on the basis of this experience.
Based in Bath, Father's House Carpentry/ Painting & Decorating is a trusted, rated and reliable team of Carpentry specialist.
Kris has just finished a long day's work for me putting up curtain poles, blinds and mirrors and I am very pleased with the result. He worked hard and carefully, was unfailingly polite and cheerful and didn't over-charge.
We are a family run business covering all aspects of driveways and landscaping from a new block paved driveway to garden design and hard landscaping from trees felled to hedges trimmed we cover it all, all our work is guaranteed and quality assured.
Jeremy did a great job for us. He was quick but very thorough. All the waste was taken away and some very nice turf laid. Would recommend his services to anyone.
Here at Weathertite Constructions we cover a wide range of building roofing extensions conversions damp problems drainage with camera inspection, garden design with patios driveways and walls. James has 20 years experience Lee has 35 Gary has 17 we are here to provide a good service information and a very reasonable quote kind regards James
Never distrust your nature....
Kris was swift coming around, giving us a competitive quote on the job along with giving us his ideas for the project. Once agreed, he was able to complete the job to high standards whilst arranging all the material needed. He's very friendly and has great attention to detail. Also very good cleaning after himself everyday. I would highly recommend Kris for your renovations and joinery works.
M S Building Services is a Worcestershire based building company with over 20 years of experience, proudly serving clients across Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Birmingham. We specialise in all aspects of groundwork, building and landscaping, delivering high-quality results tailored to your needs. No job is too big or too small – from minor improvements to large-scale projects, we bring the same dedication, expertise, and attention to detail every time.
Mark was very professional and reliable. Excellent standard of work, left everything clean and tidy on completion of the job. We are very pleased and would highly recommend them.
Shane’s home improvements has firmly built it’s reputation on perfection with outstanding customer service, reliability and attention to detail. We provide a dedicated, personalised service, providing solutions to maximise your outdoor space. We strongly believe that a job is not worth doing unless it is done right. Shane’s home improvements has extensive expertise in providing a number of services, including design and construction of Patios, Walling, cedar & softwood Fencing, Millboard & timber decking, contemporary garden buildings, stainless steel and glass balustrades & balconies, block Paved, natural stone and resin bound driveways and Paths and installation of Artificial Grass/AstroTurf and much more. Drawing from our 13 years of experience, we offer a whole world of garden design ideas, which are excellently installed to suit different garden types, shapes and sizes, and fully meet your personal requirements. From modern designs to more traditional styles, we ensure you’re delighted with the end result. We Provide bespoke landscaping services for private and commercial clients Renowned for our quality installations and workmanship combined with high-quality materials such as natural stone paving, vitrified paving, porcelain paving, stainless steel, glass, cedar and Millboard decking. Shanes home improvements are a landscape design and home improvement services company you can trust
We are a family run business with 15 years experience In all kinds of major gardening work from gardening to trees we reduce in height and completely remove full trees all waste removed from all our jobs and no hidden call out charges or fees applying
We are a family run business, specialising in all type of Groundworks, Driveways, Drainage problems, Fencing, Paths, Patios, Garden/Retaining Walls, Soakaways and Cesspools, Foundations and Oversites, Underpinning, Vehicle cross overs, Mobility Ramps,
Lee and the team did an amazing job, always kept us informed of progress. The team on site were fantastic. Definitely would recommend!
I have been a builder for 42 years. I do brickwork, repointing, drainage, block paving, patios, concreting, landscaping, stone work, exterior painting etc.. I cover all aspects of building work. and all aspects of groundwork and we specialise in lime mortar pointing
Home and garden work Handyman work No job to small or to big family run Free quote and friendly advise give
Very happy, A*** Very professional, nothing was too much trouble. Full conversation and always kept upto date with any time delays or any problems. A very nice guy who is very friendly, helpful polite and a real pleasure to deal with. A really nice guy, many years of experience in plumbing, only too happy to help CAnt rate highly enough, it wqa a real pleasure to finally find a plumber that does what he says when he says he wil and easy to talk to Very happy to highly recommend
We are a family run business with over 10years experience in the trade, specialising in fencing-roofing and landscaping. Covering Kent Essex and London. All aspects of work undertaken no job is to big or to small. all work is guaranteed fully insured
Really great team. Joe and Tom quickly identified what several previous "roofers" had failed to spot. They also fixed issues created by the previous "roofers". Very pleased. Finally found someone who knows what they are doing does what the promise and can be trusted.
We are a reliable local company with 25 years experience and an extensive customer base. We are fully qualified and insured. Fully competent in all aspects landscapes. Don't not hesitate contact
He is doing very good im happy
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