How long will it take to design?

Most design processes can be tailored to the pace of the client- each review stage usually needs 2-3 weeks for us to do the required work in between, and depending on your availability and clarity of feedback, that means most take at least 6-8 weeks. This can be compressed if there is a specific deadline or it is a simpler project, and some are considerably extended (usually when working on a major new build alongside the architects and team).

Is my garden too big or too small for a design?

Even a small garden will benefit from good design, and in fact smaller gardens are often the ones that need it most as you are often trying to fit a lot into a small space which can be a challenge and takes skill and practice. Sometimes it simply isn’t possible to do everything you want in the space, but having a really good designer on board will help you to make the decisions you need to make as to the priorities and how it will all look once done.

Do I need a garden designer and a landscaper?

Usually yes - some companies such as ourselves can offer both, but while the skills overlap, they are very different specialities. In most cases you don’t want your bricklayer (however talented!) to be making final decisions as to how to finish the edges of your steps or patio, nor do you want your garden designer to make the final decisions as to how to build your retaining walls.

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World Class Design

The CGLA design team is led by our RHS Gold Medal winning Design Directors Ruth Marshall and Vicki Davis, and renowned Landscape Architect and Head of Design Eike Selby. Eike has over 20 years of experience as an industry respected Landscape Architect, leading international design practices in the UK, Middle East and China.

Creative Process

CGLA’s unique creative process allows us to create exquisite outside space. Our exceptional 3D graphics help our clients to visualise their dream garden through the design process. Our expertise encourages our clients to reflect their individuality and achieve the transformation they seek. We create inspirational spaces that are unique and loved by people. Private client work covers a very broad range of styles, from country havens, to contemporary statement gardens, and covers private estates and prestigious new builds as well as family gardens and roof terraces.

PLANNING SUPPORT / BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN

CGLA are experts in providing support for planning applications including pre-application submissions and landscaping conditions. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a crucial element for new-build developments, set to become mandatory from April 2024. This new legislation prompts us to integrate BNG assessments and calculations into our landscape design process. We can now offer a comprehensive, seamless, service to our clients embarking on new-build projects. There is more information about this on our insights page here.

Four wooden benches and a table near a couple of wood-burning stoves

Design Inspiration

We listen to our client’s brief in detail, to understand the context of the site and the client aspirations. From here, the design process often starts with a single point of inspiration, whether completely abstract or something more intimate and contextual in nature. An idea that resonates, inspires and evokes memories and emotion. It is this linchpin that guides our designs, informing the look and feel of the spaces we create and acting as a source of reference as the design evolves.

A watre feature consisting of three small fountains on a flat plane of stone

Collaborative Process

We believe we get the best results through drawing from a wide range of skills and influences. We work in close collaboration with our clients and our multinational design team which includes garden designers, landscape architects, and horticulturalists. We also draw in expertise from specialists in the design and installation or pools, outdoor kitchens, sports facilities, garden rooms, lighting and many more. This approach allows us to cover an extraordinary range of project types and scales.

A square stone archway between two hedges leading to another section of a garden

Design and Construction

With an in-house award winning landscaping team and dedicated expert project managers we are able to design practical achievable spaces without compromising on inspirational design. Close collaboration between our design and landscaping teams means we understand how to create landscapes, not just plan them. We bring this understanding and “can-do” approach to our designs and to our broader discussions with our clients, making the process more comprehensive and the approach more collaborative.

“CGLA have been excellent in every respect, from their comprehensive design process with electronic and paper designs, to the professionalism and respectfulness of all their staff members I’ve dealt with. Our garden looks wonderful, the extensive hard landscaping has transformed our outdoor space and all the plants supplied have flourished. In less than six months, the garden looks mature. They are also very quick to deal with any issues which arise, even after finishing the job. Highly recommended.”

Client: Carol Wharrier, Foxfire

FAQs

What will my design cost?indigo tree2024-07-10T09:25:19+01:00

What will my design cost?

Professional design typically starts at around £5,000 for a smaller plot. This includes full 3D cad design, around 3 rounds of design development, and leads to a completed pack suitable for construction costing, with general arrangement plans, set out plans and detailed materials and planting schedules, lighting and irrigation designs.

Larger and more complex gardens, particularly those working around new builds obviously need a great deal more detailing and input and need to be priced specifically to ensure we capture all the work you want (but no more!)

We have a more detailed article on this subject here

What is the design process?Jo Fisher2024-05-01T14:48:06+01:00

What is the design process?

We have a longer article on our garden design process (HERE), but a quick guide is as follows:

Take the brief: Come and meet with you to understand your site and your requirements (you typically do not need to pay for that meeting)
Pull together base information: Organise a measured survey of the site (to include levels if it is not flat)
Tease out what will work for you: Create suitable mood boards and outputs to tease out styles and approaches that will meet your aesthetic preferences
Show you their initial proposals: Draw up the proposed plans for discussion with you and create outputs to share
Update and re-issue these preliminary plans to reflect those discussions
Create final outputs dependent upon the needs of the project and the site- for you, your builders and other contractors as needed (including planning if required)
Liaise with whoever you need them to: On larger projects there will also typically be more people involved such as architects and other contractors with whom we will need to liaise.

Can you create Biodiversity Net Gain Plans for planning purposes?Jo Fisher2024-07-10T13:24:14+01:00

Can you create Biodiversity Net Gain Plans for planning purposes?

Yes we can! For more information on this do have a look at our article here

What will it cost to build my garden?Jo Fisher2024-07-10T09:28:14+01:00

What will it cost to build my garden?

We have several articles on this subject (see links below). The upshot is that we have a unique process aimed at heading this problem off at the pass!

Have a frank discussion about budget and process, sharing “ballparks” for similar projects (see cost to landscape article).
Once started, we design to suit your brief, cost that as soon as it is practical to do so, and allow for the time to value-engineer and adjust the designs to optimise the budget
Final outputs are prepared to suit the value-engineered design, and once this is complete, you are welcome to obtain quotes for the work from your choice of suppliers.

An overview of the design process is here and feel free to browse our “insights” pages for more information or call us for a chat!

If you design my garden do I have to use CGLA to implement it?Jo Fisher2024-05-01T15:36:32+01:00

If you design my garden do I have to use CGLA to implement it?

No! We are happy to discuss with you whether we are the best people to landscape your garden, but our specialist team is not always the best choice for every project (not least because they are not always available on the time-line that suits you!).

If you think this will be something important to you, do let your designer know early and we can factor this in to our planning as soon as we can.

If you have other questions feel free to contact us or see FAQS.

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