Why Use A Garden Designer
Many people feel that spending money on employing a professional designer is a waste,
thinking it can't be that difficult to do the job themselves. But what makes a good
garden into a gorgeous garden is knowing how to put all the elements together in
a way that is both functional and pleasing to the eye.
With materials, labour and planting the budget for basic landscaping of even a small
garden can easily reach £10,000. If the layout and implementation of elements
within the garden are not thought through correctly, this could be £10,000
badly spent. A few hundred pounds spent on a professional design would ensure value
for money. Very often owners have ideas on what they would like to see in their
garden for example a patio, lawn and play area for the children, but knowing the
right size, shape, location and materials to use takes expert knowledge and experience.
A designer will take the time to talk through the exact requirements of the client,
also including those elements the client does not want. It is often at this point,
when more than one owner is involved,that it becomes clear each person has different
ideas that they haven't actually discussed with each other. The introduction of
a designer into the equation focuses thoughts and ideas and each can be looked at
on their own merits.
Designers often have a portfolio of their own work and/or magazine clippings that
illustrate different styles, hard landscaping materials and planting combinations
and can be used to introduce new concepts which owners have not realised were possible.
The notes taken during these discussions will provide the basis for the design and
the designer will be able to produce a sketch plan and/or illustrations to show
the client how everything will fit into their plot. This enables any changes to
be made on paper at an early stage rather than during construction which could prove
to be very costly.
Some people, rather unfairly in many cases, expect a landscaper to give what amounts
to design advice. It is true there are some landscapers who have a good eye for
design (and may even be trained as a designer as well as a landscaper) but this
is not often the case. A garden designer has been trained to think about the garden
as a whole from the large-scale elements such as a patios and paths down to using
the lines in paving to make the garden look wider.
Not many of us could tackle major work within the house without the help of professionals
such as electricians and plumbers. The garden is no different. Most people need
a professional landscaper to make the changes but to ensure those changes are both
good for the wallet and great on the eye and professional designer is an absolute
necessity.
© Sharon Brown
15th January 2008