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Bea Ray Garden Design
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Initial Discussion
The process of creating a new garden usually starts with a detailed
discussion between the Garden Designer and the garden owner to
analyse what they would like and establish a full brief. This is a two way
process. The Designer needs to glean as much information as possible
by asking questions, and the Owner has a chance to meet the designer
and get a feel for their work. Discussing visuals often helps to get the
ideas flowing, and identify what the client likes in terms of style, colour
and planting. This is also a good chance to discuss money – the client
can give an indication of their budget, and the Designer can advise on
ballpark costs of building gardens, and their fees.
Site Survey
Depending on the complexity of the site, the Garden Designer will carry
out a site survey, ie measure the site, themselves, or commission one
from a surveyor. They will also assess factors like soil, aspect, drainage,
microclimate, and frost pockets, and good and bad views.
This is put into a scale plan showing the exact location of buildings,
boundaries, any existing plants and structures to be kept, and good/bad
views, from which the design can emerge.
WHAT DO GARDEN
DESIGNERS DO?
Garden Designer Bea Ray reveals the process
that goes into creating each new design.
The Design Plan
The Designer will take into account all the requirements of the
owner, and put this together with the aspects of the site to create
a design which meets the brief. Some designers will present this
as a “sketch” or “concept” plan, which they will then discuss with
the client before finalising details like paving materials, and creating
a final design. Others will present a finished “master plan”, but
will tweak it if changes are required. Either way, the result should
be something which the client is happy with, and is realistic with
regard to the budget. Finally, to help visualise the proposed design,
a moodboard, samples of materials, and views of the garden in 3D
are often supplied.
A Layout Plan
Once the agreed design is finalised, the Garden Designer will produce
a layout plan which will include all the information a contractor needs
to build the garden. This is usually black and white, scaled, and fully
annotated with notes, dimensions, setting out details, materials,
levels, tree positions, drainage etc.
Planting Plan
The Garden Designer will do detailed planting plans for the garden,
which will be carefully compiled arrangements of plants to achieve
the look the owner wanted. The plans will specify Latin name, size
and quantity of each plant. The Designer or contractor or sometimes
the client can then source and, when the time comes, plant the
plants.
Getting a contractor
To get the garden built, the Garden Designer can help with finding a
contractor. Unless the client has a preferred one, this usually involves
sending the job out to competitive tender to at least 3 Landscapers.
To quote for the job, the Landscapers will need the Layout plan, and
a full scope of work for the job, or for more complex jobs, a full
specification document, and possibly construction drawings. From
meeting the Landscapers on their site visits, and receiving their
quotes, the Client can then decide on a Landscaper to build the
garden, and the transformation can begin.
Bea Ray is a professional garden designer based in Oxford.
For help with your garden contact Bea Ray Garden Design Ltd
