Everyone has a budget for work which needs doing. You may not have even verbalised it to yourself — it will usually be half what you think the job will cost!

No matter how big or small the area to be changed, the three processes outlined in this web site are essential. It is in the last section that there is most room for manoeuvre, although this is obviously the bit you want most. If the purpose of the design and the plans themselves are skimmed over, there is a danger that you will not be satisfied with the end result, however costly the new additions and labour are to effect the transformation.

It is usually possible to do work in stages to spread the cost. Planting, particularly, can be done over a long period of time. Many people welcome the chance to add bits over the years, but building on a basic theme.

It is important that everyone is clear what is going to be done and by whom. Most craftspeople are prepared to provide costings for a client’s specification free of charge, but anything which involves the creative process, you must expect to pay for.

The information gained from the following pages provides the starting data for the design process:

Designing for a Purpose Questionnaire

Site Survey and Site Photographs

The answers to the Designing for a Purpose Questionnaire will provide you with the purposes to which you have placed upon the use of the garden. Some of it will be obvious, but sometimes it is needed to help you focus on the functions you want, in addition to an area which looks nice and enhances the house.