Do I need a designer? 

When seeking landscaper recommendations on Facebook, it's common to receive dozens of suggestions for reputable companies. However, have you considered consulting a garden designer before selecting the most recomended landscaper?

A skilled garden designer can unlock the full potential of your outdoor space. They advise you of the feasible options, ensuring your budget is spent wisely and ensuring you get the very best for your money. Collaborating with a garden designer ensures that your garden meets your unique requirements. They understand drainage, soil types, building regulations, budgeting, materials, and plant life, and how these elements connect to help create a stunning garden. A garden designer will tailor their approach to your specific needs, your likes and what nature will allow. 

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." – Abraham Lincoln

A skilled garden designer can maximize the potential of your garden, regardless of budget or style, and help prevent expensive errors. It's worth considering whether you can afford to forgo the expertise of a garden designer. 

First of all - lets get the jobs sorted who does what in the Landscape industry –

Gardener - Usually responsible for general maintenance and upkeep of your garden. There are some highly trained and experienced gardeners with specialist horticultural knowledge who are really worth their money – there are also those who are trying to earn a living with the more simple jobs like lawn care and general weeding.  

Landscaper – These come in many forms and may specialise in one particular area (fencing, decking, paving, etc) or may be multi- skilled trades people who can build an entire garden from the drainage upwards.  There are several colleges that offer accredited training courses but many learn ‘on the job’ from family or employers.

Garden designer –  This is where the ideas and creativity happens.  Normally working on domestic projects directly for homeowners. The level of training, knowledge and skill varies immensely across the industry, as does the design style and techniques. A good designer will offer anything from initial ideas or advice all the way to a full blue-print for an entirely new garden. Some designers are naturally gifted, some will have studied for several years to achieve a formal education. Some are very experienced while some only ‘dabble’ as a hobby or part time venture.  

Landscape designer/ Landscape arcitecht - Offers similar services to a garden designer but normally on much larger scale, commercial setting or public spaces. Sometimes employed by local authorities or as part of an Architects practice.

Horticuturalist – a plants specialist. 

Arborist – Tree specialist. Could include tree surgeon who can shape large and small trees safely or specialists to identify species, potential issues and diseases.

The landscaping industry remains unregulated, allowing individuals to identify as landscapers without formal qualifications. There is often an overlap in services provided by different companies; for instance, a gardener might provide fencing or basic patio/decking services, and some may include basic design services. As a designer, I previously provided a full landscaping service to impliment my own designs. 

So – do I need a garden designer? 

A good designer will create a robust, unified design tailored to your individual requirements. They possess a broad spectrum of resources, expertise, and knowledge, enabling them to choose appropriate materials and plants that will flourish and maintain their appeal over time. Additionally, a designer has the capability to craft unique, custom-made features for your garden that are not readily available elsewhere.

Adhering to a design also minimizes the chance of miscommunication with your landscaper, guaranteeing that the completed garden meets your expectation and conforms to established industry standards. 

A well-designed garden not only enhances your lifestyle but also adds significant value to your home; indeed, some studies indicate a potential increase in home value of 15%-20%.

Some designers offer to take on the role of managing the entire project. Alternatively, others provide a lighter touch with a  'Project Monitoring' service, which ensures your garden is being installed accurately to the specified standards, while also offering advice and assistance with any unforeseen complications.

A proficient garden designer brings a wealth of benefits, and the associated costs are well worth it, often resulting in financial savings over time. 

Therefore, the question arises: can you afford not to use a garden designer? 

To see how Paul Slater can help create your garden Contact Us today