What You Really Want to Know About Designing & Constructing a New Garden!

CEO & Garden Designer
Ruth Marshall

At CGLA, we’ve written a ton of articles to answer the questions we get asked the most—and with nearly 1000 projects completed, we’ve been asked quite a few! While each garden is unique, certain questions pop up in nearly every project. So, here’s a quick-fire round-up of the essentials, plus links to our in-depth articles if you want to dive deeper. Let’s get started!

1) When is the Best Time to Do the Work? (Can I Start Now?)

In short: almost anytime! Landscaping work can generally proceed as long as the ground isn’t waterlogged or frozen solid. Autumn and winter are ideal for planting, too—so if you want your garden ready for summer, now’s the time to start planning.
👉 More on timing your garden project here

2) How Much Will It Cost?

We get it—budgeting is key. For a mid-sized, high-end garden with moderate complexity, expect to spend around £5-7,000 on design and £50-150,000 on landscaping. Costs can vary widely, of course, based on size, materials, and special features.
👉 Check out our guides on design costs
👉 Landscaping costs in more detail
👉 And more budgeting articles here

3) Can I Do It in Stages?

Yes! You can absolutely tackle your garden in phases, which can be easier on the budget. Ideally we work from back to front to avoid damaging finished areas as you go, but your priorities may be different and we can usually find a way to do it to suit. It might cost a little more than doing it all at once, but it’s a practical way to manage finances and timelines.

4) Can My Builders Do the Landscaping? (Or Can I?)

We’re all for you taking on as much (or as little) as you like. Many clients work with their builders for hard landscaping like paths and walls, while we handle the planting and more specialized elements. If you’re considering going DIY, we offer specialist sourcing and project management or support.
👉 More about working with builders on landscaping

5) Can I Have an Outdoor Kitchen, Pergola, or Hot Tub?

Almost always, yes! While costs vary widely based on what you want, outdoor kitchens and pergolas can typically be customized to fit most spaces. Hot tubs are another popular addition, but just keep in mind you’ll need to consider costs for base preparation, drainage, and electrical installation. Here’s a rough idea of the pricing:

Outdoor kitchens start from £5,000 and can go up to £60,000+ depending on the specs.
Pergolas range from £2,000 for basic models to £30,000+ for high-end designs.
Hot tubs vary from £3,000-£25,000+, depending on the model.

6) Will I Need Planning Permission?

Factors like conservation areas and listed building status usually makes restrictions tighter, but even outside of this there are a fair few structures that can require planning. By way of examples, garden buildings, raised structures, new driveways and levels changes may in some circumstances need planning permission. We are happy to discuss this in detail if you think it might apply to your situation.
👉 Our guide on planning permission

7) How Do I Get a Detailed Plan, Budget, and Cost Estimate?

The best approach is to have some idea of likely budget ranges before starting, design what you want, and then refine until you are happy that the results and the budget are at the best point for you. This might take a few goes! We provide budget costings within most of our design packages and can help you with this value-engineering, so that you wont be left with a design you cant afford to build. You will need some flexibility to achieve this as we cant make the costs disappear, but we are experts at finding alternatives and maximising your budget.
👉 More on our design process

At CGLA, we’re dedicated to making garden design enjoyable and accessible. Whether you’re planning a full-blown garden makeover or just want to freshen up a small area, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Ready to start your garden journey? Get in touch with us for a no-obligation chat—we can’t wait to bring your dream garden to life!

CGLA are an award winning team of Garden Designers, Landscape Architects, Landscapers and Garden Maintenance Operatives working in Buckinghamshire, London and the South East, as well as on prestigious design projects across the UK and abroad. We are currently working in Oman, Jersey and France, and welcome enquires for design, landscaping or garden maintenance. Contact us here