How Far in Advance Should I Hire a Garden Designer?
From the key stages and likely timescales to the best time for planting, three garden designers share their top tips
Julie Butterworth
18 October 2023
Houzz Contributor and homes, architecture and property journalist. I work on a range of homes websites and edit commercial and editorial digital content at the Royal Institute of British Architects Journal. I have managed subbing departments at magazines Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home and web content teams for Time Inc UK’s Homes Network.
Houzz Contributor and homes, architecture and property journalist. I work on a range... More
Most people start thinking about a new garden in spring, but it’s better to kick things off in the autumn or winter, say our experts. By planning early, you can get around the issues of bad weather and seasonal planting, and prebook good local contractors ahead of time. As part of our Garden Planning guide, professionals reveal how long an outdoor renovation takes and when is the best time to hire a garden designer.
Professional advice from: Julia Cody of Hamilton Cody Garden Design; Phil Hirst of Phil Hirst Garden Design; Roberto Silva of Silva Landscapes
Beginning your garden project? Read How to Start a Garden Redesign
Professional advice from: Julia Cody of Hamilton Cody Garden Design; Phil Hirst of Phil Hirst Garden Design; Roberto Silva of Silva Landscapes
Beginning your garden project? Read How to Start a Garden Redesign
How long does it take to create a new garden?
Our experts estimate it can take anything from around six months to a year and upwards to get from an initial appointment with a garden designer to a fully built and planted plot.
“Every garden design is different,” Phil Hirst says, “but it will typically take at least two months to prepare a garden design before everything is ready for a contractor to start work.”
“There’s a lot that goes into designing and building a garden properly, and it’s best not to rush the process,” Julia Cody says. “It’s a big investment for the client and it’s worth taking time over the process.”
“The weather and the seasonal aspects of the business have an effect, too,” Roberto Silva says. “Some plants can only be planted in a certain season, or they’re not available to buy at certain times of the year.”
More: What Happens When You Hire a Garden Designer?
Our experts estimate it can take anything from around six months to a year and upwards to get from an initial appointment with a garden designer to a fully built and planted plot.
“Every garden design is different,” Phil Hirst says, “but it will typically take at least two months to prepare a garden design before everything is ready for a contractor to start work.”
“There’s a lot that goes into designing and building a garden properly, and it’s best not to rush the process,” Julia Cody says. “It’s a big investment for the client and it’s worth taking time over the process.”
“The weather and the seasonal aspects of the business have an effect, too,” Roberto Silva says. “Some plants can only be planted in a certain season, or they’re not available to buy at certain times of the year.”
More: What Happens When You Hire a Garden Designer?
How much notice do garden designers need?
Phil explains that the earlier the designer is involved, the better. “The designer should be able to give you an indication of how long they expect the design element of the project to take and when they’d be able to start,” he says. “Depending on workload, it may be possible for this process to begin quite quickly, but that won’t always be the case. It’s likely a designer will be working on more than one project at any point in time.”
“You always have to wait a while for a good landscape contractor to be available,” Julia says. “Their schedules constantly shift, because it’s weather-dependent work and other clients’ plans change. But they may be able to slot in a smaller garden project sooner between larger ones.”
Browse the work of garden designers in your area and read reviews from previous clients.
Phil explains that the earlier the designer is involved, the better. “The designer should be able to give you an indication of how long they expect the design element of the project to take and when they’d be able to start,” he says. “Depending on workload, it may be possible for this process to begin quite quickly, but that won’t always be the case. It’s likely a designer will be working on more than one project at any point in time.”
“You always have to wait a while for a good landscape contractor to be available,” Julia says. “Their schedules constantly shift, because it’s weather-dependent work and other clients’ plans change. But they may be able to slot in a smaller garden project sooner between larger ones.”
Browse the work of garden designers in your area and read reviews from previous clients.
What time of year is it best to first approach a designer?
“The best time would be autumn, as the design can be done in the next couple of months, then built in winter and planted in spring,” Roberto says.
It’s a common misconception that designers are busy in summer and have nothing to do in winter, according to Phil. “Designers work all year round and, since a lot of the work is studio-based, they don’t have to stop for bad weather,” he says.
“A lot of new enquiries tend to come at the start of the year when people are looking forward to having a new garden for spring or summer,” he continues. “November and December are often quieter, as thoughts turn to Christmas, and the short days and bad weather take attention away from gardens. Paradoxically, this may be the best time to approach a designer, so you can get booked in before the New Year rush.”
“The best time would be autumn, as the design can be done in the next couple of months, then built in winter and planted in spring,” Roberto says.
It’s a common misconception that designers are busy in summer and have nothing to do in winter, according to Phil. “Designers work all year round and, since a lot of the work is studio-based, they don’t have to stop for bad weather,” he says.
“A lot of new enquiries tend to come at the start of the year when people are looking forward to having a new garden for spring or summer,” he continues. “November and December are often quieter, as thoughts turn to Christmas, and the short days and bad weather take attention away from gardens. Paradoxically, this may be the best time to approach a designer, so you can get booked in before the New Year rush.”
What are the different stages of creating a new garden?
The process usually involves:
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image (then on Learn More if you’re in the app) and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
The process usually involves:
- Establishing a brief.
- Gathering information about the site and existing features.
- Creating a design concept and masterplan, plus further design detailing.
- Getting a contractor to build the garden.
- Planting it up.
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image (then on Learn More if you’re in the app) and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
How long will the landscaping and planting work take?
“Landscaping a small, straightforward garden can take as little as two weeks,” Phil says. “For larger, more complex sites, it can be many months. All is dependent on the availability of the landscape contractor and the size of the team working on the project.
“The planting time depends on the size and complexity of the scheme,” he continues. “For a small garden, it could be done within a few hours, but larger gardens may take several days. Plants also have to be sourced from nurseries.”
“Planting is traditionally done in the autumn and it’s the best time if possible,” Julia says. “It allows the plants to establish over the autumn and winter, so they’re robust and ready for the growing season the following year.”
More: 8 Planting Tips for Novice Gardeners
“Landscaping a small, straightforward garden can take as little as two weeks,” Phil says. “For larger, more complex sites, it can be many months. All is dependent on the availability of the landscape contractor and the size of the team working on the project.
“The planting time depends on the size and complexity of the scheme,” he continues. “For a small garden, it could be done within a few hours, but larger gardens may take several days. Plants also have to be sourced from nurseries.”
“Planting is traditionally done in the autumn and it’s the best time if possible,” Julia says. “It allows the plants to establish over the autumn and winter, so they’re robust and ready for the growing season the following year.”
More: 8 Planting Tips for Novice Gardeners
What do most people overlook in terms of planning and timescales?
“It’s easy to overlook the fact that the seasons need to be respected,” Roberto says. “For example, we can’t plant bulbs in summer. Clients also tend to underestimate the cost of the hard landscaping and design.”
People will often use a particular event as the impetus to hire a garden designer, not realising the time it requires, Julia observes. “This is totally understandable, but if the time is too tight, it can create a lot of stress all round,” she says. “A garden is a large investment and it’s best not to rush the process. Enjoy it and take your time.”
“One of the most frequent causes of delay on a design project is the availability of homeowners for meetings,” Phil says. “If meetings can only take place in the evening or at weekends, it can sometimes be several days or weeks before they happen and, come winter, evening visits to see a garden are impossible.”
“It’s easy to overlook the fact that the seasons need to be respected,” Roberto says. “For example, we can’t plant bulbs in summer. Clients also tend to underestimate the cost of the hard landscaping and design.”
People will often use a particular event as the impetus to hire a garden designer, not realising the time it requires, Julia observes. “This is totally understandable, but if the time is too tight, it can create a lot of stress all round,” she says. “A garden is a large investment and it’s best not to rush the process. Enjoy it and take your time.”
“One of the most frequent causes of delay on a design project is the availability of homeowners for meetings,” Phil says. “If meetings can only take place in the evening or at weekends, it can sometimes be several days or weeks before they happen and, come winter, evening visits to see a garden are impossible.”
What tips would you offer to those just starting the process?
Julia advises homeowners phone a few designers before booking in an initial meeting. “Trust between client and designer is key,” she says, “so find someone whose work you like and who you feel comfortable talking to.
“Decide what level of service you’re looking for: a complete, start-to-finish package, or just help with the layout or planting,” she continues. “Most designers are happy to tailor their service to your requirements and will help you identify what those are.”
“Research designers properly, and not only the ones on the first page of Google,” Roberto says. “Have a separate budget for the design work. Look at the designer’s portfolio and contact one of their previous clients. The internet also helps if designers have featured in any press articles. Always search locally first, because travel time can increase the cost of the design work.”
Don’t forget that Houzz has a huge list of reviewed garden designers working across the country.
Julia advises homeowners phone a few designers before booking in an initial meeting. “Trust between client and designer is key,” she says, “so find someone whose work you like and who you feel comfortable talking to.
“Decide what level of service you’re looking for: a complete, start-to-finish package, or just help with the layout or planting,” she continues. “Most designers are happy to tailor their service to your requirements and will help you identify what those are.”
“Research designers properly, and not only the ones on the first page of Google,” Roberto says. “Have a separate budget for the design work. Look at the designer’s portfolio and contact one of their previous clients. The internet also helps if designers have featured in any press articles. Always search locally first, because travel time can increase the cost of the design work.”
Don’t forget that Houzz has a huge list of reviewed garden designers working across the country.
“If the garden has to be finished by a particular date, don’t be tempted to use a designer or contractor just because they’re available, with no other assurance they’re the right person for you to work with,” Phil advises.
Be financially prepared, is Julia’s rule of thumb. “Even if you have to build the garden in stages, it’s a good investment to have the layout well planned in advance,” she says. “We have a client who employed us to design and specify the garden and then saved for a few years before they could afford to build it. It’s very small, but one of our favourite projects.”
Tell us…
How did you go about planning and scheduling your garden redesign? Share you knowledge and experiences in the Comments.
Be financially prepared, is Julia’s rule of thumb. “Even if you have to build the garden in stages, it’s a good investment to have the layout well planned in advance,” she says. “We have a client who employed us to design and specify the garden and then saved for a few years before they could afford to build it. It’s very small, but one of our favourite projects.”
Tell us…
How did you go about planning and scheduling your garden redesign? Share you knowledge and experiences in the Comments.
What are you working on?
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Hi MJ.
As a designer in London I can confirm that is often the case re the £10k budget. It does depend what you are looking for of course. If it is something very simple or more of a replanting scheme then that is very do-able. However most inquiries are for a whole garden redesign and then sadly the costs mount up pretty quickly and £10k disappears very fast. In these instances, as a designer there is little I can add for the budget, other than reducing it further with my own design fees. Hence I will usually turn it down. Sadly good materials, skilled labour and robust construction all cost money.
On the TV programme front, my criticism is that they often significantly under-estimate the costs of doing a garden and/or cut corners on the build and materials such that it will start to fall apart pretty quickly. In London a small 8x8m courtyard garden will tend to cost £25k+ (+ VAT), although that is under pressure with all the price rises at the moment. I often point out to clients that whilst not cheap it is a fantastic investment in your life, delivering years on ongoing joy and pleasure. Many people have a car on their drive that costs at least that much and which looses a big chunk of its value as soon as you have bought it.
A good garden designer will be aware of preservation and ecology, that should be a basic reason for hiring them. The Society of Garden Designers recently published its Manifesto for Sustainable Gardens & Landscapes to ensure designers put sustainability first. One of the other main things to remember is that the space is yours, the garden is yours, anything you want to preserve or keep, a memorial tree, a favourite old statue, even a small shrub, should be worked into the design by a professional. It's your money, don't pay for someone else's idea of your perfect space. My favourite clients are those who get excited about how we have incorporated their ideas into the new garden and given a new look to an old familiar.
The landscaping on our new build only took three months from start to finish. Now, even years later, some of the plants are overgrown, some have perished, and there is a lot of work to be done. We've also lost the location of all of our emitters. So this fall we've been planting, taking out that darn landscaping fabric, and putting in new plants. We have gravel mulch, and the weeds just float in and take root on top of the fabric. So we are taking the fabric out to allow some of our plants to spread. Also we are putting little markers in whenever we find an emitter. Quite a job, but we are finished for this season and will start again in the spring.