Hi there! I’m so pleased you’re considering working with me to bring your garden vision to life. Whether you’re dreaming of a tranquil retreat, a space for entertaining, or a low-maintenance haven, the process of designing your perfect garden starts with a well-structured enquiry and booking process. Let me walk you through exactly how it works so you know what to expect at every stage. My aim is to make this journey as enjoyable and transparent as possible for you.

1. Initial Enquiry – Let’s Start the Conversation

The first step is your initial enquiry. Most people get in touch via my website contact form, email, or phone. However you choose to reach out, I’ll usually ask a few basic questions up front to get an idea of your needs:

• What type of space are we working with? (Back garden, front garden, courtyard, etc.)
• What’s the size of the area? Rough measurements are fine at this stage.
• Do you have any inspiration or ideas in mind?
• What’s your ideal timeframe?
• What’s your approximate budget?

These initial questions help me assess whether I’m the right fit for your project, and if so, we can move forward with scheduling a consultation.

2. Discovery Call or Email Exchange

After your enquiry, we’ll usually have a quick discovery call or email conversation. This is a relaxed, no-pressure chat to discuss your project in a bit more detail. You can ask me any questions about how I work, and I’ll explain the general design process, timeline, and pricing.

If your project sounds like a good match for my services, I’ll explain the next steps, which usually involve booking an on-site consultation. I may also ask you to fill out a brief questionnaire about your lifestyle, preferences, and goals for the garden. The more I understand about your needs, the better I can tailor the design.

3. Site Visit & Consultation – Getting to Know the Space

Once we’ve agreed to proceed, we’ll book a site visit. This is a key part of the process. I’ll come to your property, walk the site with you, take notes, photos, and measurements, and discuss your ideas in more detail.

During this visit, I’m listening for clues—how you want to use the space, what kinds of plants or features you like, how much time you want to spend maintaining it, and how the garden should make you feel. We’ll also talk about any practical considerations such as drainage, sun/shade conditions, privacy needs, and access for contractors.

The consultation typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. After the visit, I’ll put together a design proposal tailored to your project.

4. Proposal and Quote – Clarity on Scope and Cost

A few days after the consultation, I’ll send you a detailed design proposal. This outlines the scope of work, the phases of the design process, and the associated fees. Depending on the size and complexity of your project, I may offer several design package options.

The proposal will include:

• A summary of what we discussed
• A breakdown of design stages (Concept Design, Master Plan, Planting Plan, etc.)
• Estimated timelines
• Cost of each stage
• Optional add-ons (e.g., 3D visuals, mood boards, sourcing of materials)

This is your opportunity to review everything, ask questions, and make sure we’re aligned before moving forward.

5. Booking Your Place in the Calendar

If you’re happy with the proposal and ready to proceed, the next step is booking your project into my calendar. To secure your place, I ask for a deposit—this is usually a percentage of the total design fee. Once this is paid, we officially begin!

I’ll confirm your start date and provide a welcome pack that includes:

• A summary of what to expect during each design stage
• A timeline with estimated milestones
• A checklist of anything I might need from you (such as utility plans, photos of inspiration, etc.)

I’ll also let you know how we’ll communicate throughout the process—typically a mix of email updates and scheduled calls or meetings.

6. Design Process Begins – The Exciting Part!

With your spot secured, I begin work on your garden design. While this goes beyond the booking stage, I think it’s important to give you a quick idea of what happens next:

• Concept Design: I’ll present initial ideas based on your brief, with rough layouts, sketches, or digital plans.
• Feedback Loop: You’ll have the chance to provide feedback, and we’ll refine the design together.
• Master Plan: Once approved, I’ll produce the final design with all the necessary details for implementation.
• Planting Plan & Materials List: If included, I’ll also create a detailed planting scheme and suggest hard landscaping materials.

Throughout, I’ll be in touch regularly to keep you updated and make sure the design is evolving in line with your vision.

7. Optional Extras – Project Coordination & Installation

While I focus primarily on design, I also offer optional services like project oversight and plant sourcing. If you’d like help choosing a trusted contractor or want me to stay involved during the build phase, we can discuss that during the proposal stage.

These services are billed separately but can make the entire process much smoother—especially if you’d rather not manage everything yourself!

8. What If You’re Not Ready to Book Just Yet?

No problem at all. If you’re not ready to commit after the consultation and proposal, you’re under no obligation. I want clients to feel confident and excited—not pressured. You’re always welcome to reach out again later when the timing feels right.

9. Tips to Prepare for Your Consultation

To make the most of our first meeting, here are a few things that can be helpful:

Consider how involved you want to be in maintenance—some people love gardening, others prefer a “set it and forget it” approach

Gather photos of gardens or spaces you love (Pinterest boards are great!)

Think about how you’d like to use the garden—day-to-day and on special occasions

Be honest about your budget—this helps me design something that’s both beautiful and achievable