How much for garden design?

tricky99

I am doing a new build in city and have been quoted by a gardener to proivde a design for garden - what should this be or is it worth getting a design done?

looksee

That is totally a 'how long is a piece of string' question! No-one could possibly answer that question without knowing about the site, the size, what is there already, what you want to have done, how many discussions you expect to have with him and so on and on. As to whether its worth getting a design done, again, look at the reasons why you are considering it, rather than do it yourself.

All you can do is try and get some recommendations, and ask several people to give you a quote, then decide.

Sonnenblumen

tricky99 wrote: »

I am doing a new build in city and have been quoted by a gardener to proivde a design for garden - what should this be or is it worth getting a design done?

Expect price range from Zero-Hero!

monkeynuz

tricky99 wrote: »

I am doing a new build in city and have been quoted by a gardener to proivde a design for garden - what should this be or is it worth getting a design done?

Depends what you want, what you hope for and what your dreams and expectations are.

Like the others have said, too many variables to answer like this.

1. Are you hoping to sell the place on or live there with a smart/fashionable/pretty garden.

2. Do you just need a lawn/football pitch?

Prices could range from some hundreds for a postage stamp garden and a basic layout/concept drawing to potentially many many thousands depending on size of garden and final build cost.

Think of garden designers as green fingered architects lol.

Also if you are just asking a gardener for a design make sure they know what they are doing, garden design takes flair/skill/art/experience and a good eye not to mention time spent actually learning.

monkeynuz

What has the gardener quoted and does it include planting plans (and no they don't automatically come with them, another skill involved and a lot of time to do, can double the cost on some designs)

tricky99

thanks for all the replys. I am no gardener but appreciate a nice garden. Its a large site of new build so I want to take the opportunity to get it right. I have just been quoted the design for 1500 but told it wont cost 'to much' to bring the plan to life. I agree a garden design is as important almost as a house design on architectural side so want to get it right.

Sonnenblumen

tricky99 wrote: »

thanks for all the replys. I am no gardener but appreciate a nice garden. Its a large site of new build so I want to take the opportunity to get it right. I have just been quoted the design for 1500 but told it wont cost 'to much' to bring the plan to life. I agree a garden design is as important almost as a house design on architectural side so want to get it right.

That's a very hefty design fee, it's all relative of course. How big is the site?

€ 1,500 for design and implementation 'won't cost too much' would ring alarm bells in my head! What scope are you paying for and what implementation is being proposed?

monkeynuz

Expect minimum design fee for even a postage stamp garden to be in the region of €500+ and then upwards from there, most designer would also be applying architect like fees I.e percentage of estimated build cost as the fee. Some designs can cost as much as a small house

Coll1e

If you get a competent designer you should be able to maximise the potential of your site, whatever that is. Once you have a plan you can start and do it bit by bit so you can afford it but still know you're working to a longer term plan. Also if the designer gives you a bill of quantities for materials and plants you can send the list to suppliers nurseries etc for quotes and save a considerable amount.
Anybody can sketch up a plan but a good designer can give you construction details, planting plans and all the information required so you can ask a number of landscapers to price the job, again saving you money.
It'd be worth asking the designer if the fee is for creative input alone or whether it includes everything to allow you get the job done as efficiently as possible. Many designers will even help you with getting quotes and even oversee the work to ensure it is done properly and you're not being ripped off.

Basically what I'm saying is that the drawing part of design is only one small stage in what a garden designer does. Make sure you also get the important detail. In a lot of cases you'll save the money spent on design in other parts of the job.

Sonnenblumen

Coll1e wrote: »

If you get a competent designer you should be able to maximise the potential of your site, whatever that is. Once you have a plan you can start and do it bit by bit so you can afford it but still know you're working to a longer term plan. Also if the designer gives you a bill of quantities for materials and plants you can send the list to suppliers nurseries etc for quotes and save a considerable amount.
Anybody can sketch up a plan but a good designer can give you construction details, planting plans and all the information required so you can ask a number of landscapers to price the job, again saving you money.
It'd be worth asking the designer if the fee is for creative input alone or whether it includes everything to allow you get the job done as efficiently as possible. Many designers will even help you with getting quotes and even oversee the work to ensure it is done properly and you're not being ripped off.

Basically what I'm saying is that the drawing part of design is only one small stage in what a garden designer does. Make sure you also get the important detail. In a lot of cases you'll save the money spent on design in other parts of the job.

An even more efficient and cost effective approach would be to hire a design& build landscaping company. For starters: no middle men, no project management fees, avoid expensive mark-up/referral fees, handling charges, as well unnecessary prolonged delays in the event of any unforeseen changes (design/site etc). Significant costs can be saved by avoiding the production of detailed working drawings! The professional and experienced Design & Build co is in a stronger position to obtain better discounted prices from a wider range of suppliers (including build materials, plants etc) and the savings will be evident in original quote. More savings may also be possible by hiring fewer tradespeople as the more experienced and competent Design & Build co will have it's own skilled workforce.

The prospective client can be assured that all dealings with a professional Design & Build co will be more direct and the successful co will be committed to completing the client's project to the highest industry standards, on time and within agreed budget.

Coll1e

There are valid arguments for both approaches. I've worked in design and build firms and then studied and specialised as a designer. In my experience the customer gets a better deal by getting the plans and then seeing who can deliver it best to spec.
Being committed to the best industry standards doesn't always cut it. Many people get builders to design and build their houses instead of using an architect and get decorators to design their rooms instead of interior designers. They can turn out perfectly fine but not necessarily any cheaper and usually with inferior results.

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

For starters: no middle men, no project management fees, avoid expensive mark-up/referral fees, handling charges, as well unnecessary prolonged delays in the event of any unforeseen changes (design/site etc). Significant costs can be saved by avoiding the production of detailed working drawings! The professional and experienced Design & Build co is in a stronger position to obtain better discounted prices from a wider range of suppliers (including build materials, plants etc) and the savings will be evident in original quote. More savings may also be possible by hiring fewer tradespeople as the more experienced and competent Design & Build co will have it's own skilled workforce.

.

I respectfully disagree with most of this. If I give a landscaper a list of materials and tasks to price how is it more expensive than if they produced the list themselves? You still get your supplier discount. You still only charge for the required labour. For example if I give the same plans to 10 ALCI registered landscapers I can expect the cheapest to be almost half the price of the most expensive. Any Quantity Surveyor or procurement agent in any job will tell you the same.


Of course its also true that some designers are spoofers and don't understand the job as well as someone who has to construct the garden and stand over their work. This is why the client always needs to ask for client references.

Sonnenblumen

Variance in tenders is nothing new, even 50% and often more. One needs to look more closely at the details to understand why there can and often is variance. This applies to tenders (design, installation, building etc etc,) which is why one will also often see that there is no guarantee for the highest or lowest bid being successful.

My experience is clearly quite different to the views you express.