First Steps – Practical Considerations
Embarking on a garden project can be a doubting task.
Flora Works has the experience and knowledge to guide you through the garden design process to help realise your garden dreams. We listen closely to our clients’ and will never impose designs that don’t reflect your needs and tastes! We see our role as interpreters that lend our expertise to translate your garden aspirations into workable plans with a clear vision.
Why Invest in Your Garden?
By taking on a garden designer you ensure the success of your garden investment. Your garden will be considered ‘as a whole’ therefore negate future issues of having a disjointed garden with maintenance requirements that exceed expectations – this will save you money in the long run.
In addition to improving the quality of your home life, a well-designed garden can increase the value of your property by up to 20%.
How Much to Budget? An estimate of 5% to10% of the value of your property (to include the design, materials, and labour) is the recommended figure to budget towards your garden.
Our clients’ garden design and build budget typically starts at £15k.
Garden Consultation
The initial £200 consultation fee includes a 1.5 hr meeting and covers travel expenses within Sheffield. If the project goes ahead, the garden consolation fee is absorbed into the final cost of your design.
Before our first meeting I ask clients to give some thought to:
- Existing issues you’d like resolved in your garden
- Aspects that are working well / that you would like to retain
- How you would like to use your garden. What activities would you like to do
- Maintenance level. How often is your gardener managing your garden or are you maintaining the garden yourself?
- Preferred styles and garden aesthetics
- Budget
For a full list of garden considerations I ask myself during the design process that we discuss on the first garden consultation please click here
Garden Design
After our initial meeting you will receive the Design Brief & Fee Proposal outlining the proposed scope of works and estimate fees.
Garden Design Fees: Approximately 10-15% of the garden budget can be estimated to go towards the landscape planning and design.
We ask for a 30% deposit with the remaining fees to be paid upon submission of plans.
Re-designs are based on hourly fee.
For more information on services, we offer please click here.
Garden Build & Implementation
From the concept stage to the implementation – the creation of gardens is a collaborative process with experts in their field of expertise coming together.
Flora Works specialises in Garden Master Planning & Planting Plans – as we are not design and build company – the implementation of your garden is to be with a contractor of your choosing. We offer project management services and are happy to liaise with your chosen contractor during the implementation stage if you chose. We can suggest landscape contractors we have worked with but billing and scheduling of works will be between you and the contractor.
Choosing a Landscape Construction Company – Tips
- Inquire with neighbours, they may be able to recommend local contractors
- Look the landscapers’ specialties and whether it suits your garden style
- Schedule a meeting and have a chat
Project Management – We offer project management and can liaise with your chosen contractor
For a full list of services we offer please click here
Why Flora Works?
Whether you are renovating your garden in one go or phasing the build over a few years – we work with you to create a vision for your garden with supporting specifications and drawings that are bespoke to you and your needs. For clients that are working within a budget we offer a Phasing of Works & Specifications documents that outlines which works are to be carried out when.
Our Approach
- Solve existing garden issues
- Prioritise garden features that will create the most impact for the client within budget
- Function before form
- Unifying spaces and creating a sense of harmony through strategic layout
- Attention to detail: Considered materials and planting species selection
- Garden features should feel like they ‘belong’ and are not superimposed onto an existing landscape
Designs are created with the level of maintenance clients are prepared to invest towards managing the garden, with the garden maintenance being carried out by a professional gardener and/or DIY
