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Garden/Landscape Designer fees

marlencarvalho236NyPDeMiqmarlencarvalho236NyPDeMiq Posts: 4
in Garden design

I'm looking to get a quote to landscape and design my garden. As the consultation fees are high and I'm not sure whether I will like the Designer's ideas, how do I go about finding the right man or woman for the job, without wasting money on Consultation fees? Is it unusual to expect Garden Designers/Landscapers to have a portfolio of their work and cost estimates to help clients to get an idea of what can be achieved in their own gardens and budget prior to paying for a Consultation? Fees range between £350 (1 hr consultation) and £3500 for a garden design only.  This is a waste of money if the process has to be repeated 2 or 3 times?
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  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I should think most of them have a website with examples of work, I wouldn't expect anything personal to me for free. 


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    I think the point of the consultation fee is to ensure that you will like the eventual design as you will have told them what you like and want in your garden design. That should mean you only need to do it once.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Perhaps also make use of any local recommendations if you can.  Community web sites such as Next Door or similar ?
    It can also depend on whether or not you already have an idea of the type of garden you wish to create - children, pets, encouraging wildlife, veg/fruit growing, areas to sit out in, time for maintenance and so on.  If so, you may not need to employ a Garden Designer as such - just a good knowledgeable gardener/landscape gardener with whom you could discuss your needs.  You would obviously have to pay that person for their time and expertise but it could be worth looking into :)
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    If you have a horticultural college near you, you might find they have garden design students looking for work experience... or recently qualified designers the college can recommend.
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    Surely you have an idea of what you want?
    Why not just get a landscaper to do what you want?
    Why pay someone else?
    Sunny Dundee
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    @Balgay.Hill  You have to admit that a new garden, particularly if you are inexperienced can be somewhat daunting. There are various ways of tackling it but it's sensible to ask the question and seek advice from others.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I'm working with this designer on a job at the moment and this is her fee guide just for comparison https://www.kyliejohnson.co.uk/pricing  Are you especially looking for high-end designers or are you just looking for general designs?

    As a designer myself I can tell you that the initial consultation is the hardest part to deal with as you have to show the potential client that you have good ideas and can work well with them while at the same time not giving away too much for free. A portfolio is fine and useful but at the same time your project should be a unique design that suits your needs and may be very different to what they've produced before. I wouldn't expect a designer to charge anything for an initial meeting just to quote for the work and I would expect them to produce a final design that meets my needs within their maximum quote. If they produce a design I don't like then that is really their fault. I should say though that this rarely happens if they have good client skills and aren't pushing their own ego on the project.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • marlencarvalho236NyPDeMiqmarlencarvalho236NyPDeMiq Posts: 4
    Thank you to all for your comments and suggestions! I think I have a better idea of how to go about it now. :)

  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    We had a garden designer / landscaper in many years ago when the garden in our 'new' house really wasn't what we wanted.  She spent ages with us discussing our likes and dislikes, what we wanted to use the garden for, our own thoughts on what we wanted etc, etc.  She then came up with a full design, including planting plan and list.  We did modify it a little, and I did the actual work myself.  I can't remember the actual cost although I certainly felt it was money well spent.
  • marlencarvalho236NyPDeMiqmarlencarvalho236NyPDeMiq Posts: 4
    @KT53. Glad you had a good experience. Many charge by the hour to discuss likes and dislikes and then there is another fee for the design and another for implementing the design. I agree, it's money well spent if you find the perfect Designer from the get-go as consultation and design fees can be high. Do you remember if she showed you photographs of her previous work at the initial meeting? 
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