Planning a garden redesign? Why now is the time to start for next summer
Updated: Oct 27
When the weather turns cooler, it’s easy to put thoughts of the garden aside until spring. But if you’re hoping to enjoy a redesigned garden next summer, autumn and winter are an excellent time to start the conversation.
A garden transformation takes time. Before any work begins on site, there’s the design, time to consider and refine it, quotations and the wait for a landscaper to become available. Starting now gives all of those stages room to happen.
Think beyond the building work
People often ask how long it takes to build a garden. A small-medium-sized garden might take around two to three weeks, with larger gardens taking longer. Projects involving swimming pools, saunas or garden rooms can need considerably more time and coordination. But the build is only one part of the process.
My design diary usually has a waiting list of around six weeks. You can book your place in advance, but it’s useful to understand that getting in touch doesn’t mean design work will begin immediately.
Once I start, the first version typically takes two to three weeks. We then discuss it and work through any changes. Once those are agreed, allow another week or so for the final design. The overall timing depends on the garden, the complexity of the site and how much we need to refine.
A garden with several changes in level, for example, will need more design time to resolve how everything connects and works together.
A finished design comes before a landscaping quote
I work with excellent landscapers, and their diaries reflect that. A wait of four to six months can be quite normal.
Before they can quote accurately, they need the finished design. They can then understand the scope of the work, the materials and what’s involved in building it. A place in their diary is only confirmed once they’ve provided a quote and you’ve accepted it.
So the design and landscaping waits generally follow one another. Add in time for quotations, decisions and the build itself, and you can see why a conversation in spring may mean the garden won’t be finished for that summer.
Starting in autumn or winter gives you a much better chance of having everything ready in time.
Once the build is complete, planting follows straight afterwards, bringing the design together. That stage needs to be included in the schedule too, so we allow time for the whole garden to be ready for you to enjoy.
Be realistic about the investment
A complete garden redesign is a significant investment, and I think it’s helpful to be open about that from the beginning.
My design fees start at £1,200, depending on the size of the garden and the complexity of the site. As a guide, a small to medium garden can cost around £30,000 to £35,000 to build, including materials, and planting. Landscaping costs vary considerably according to the design, access, ground conditions and the finishes you choose.
Having a budget in mind when you approach a designer helps us have a useful conversation about what’s achievable and whether a full redesign is the right approach.
You don’t need to know what every element will cost. That’s part of what we work through. But knowing what you’re comfortable investing helps me understand your priorities and develop a design with those in mind.
How big is your garden?
Everyone has a different idea of what makes a garden small or large. What one person considers small, another might think is enormous!
To help put things into perspective, here are a few familiar comparisons:
Small garden – up to 50m²
Roughly 5m × 10m at the upper end, equivalent to around four standard car parking spaces.
Small-to-medium garden – 50–100m²
Up to around 10m × 10m, equivalent to approximately eight standard car parking spaces.
Medium garden – 100–250m²
Up to approximately the size of a doubles tennis court. Typically, a family garden with room for a patio, lawn, planting beds and entertaining space.
Large garden – 250–500m²
Approximately one to two tennis courts in size, with space for several distinct areas, generous planting and features such as an outdoor kitchen or garden room.
Gardens over 500m² are generally considered substantial gardens or extensive grounds, with larger properties sometimes measured in acres rather than square metres.
These are approximate guidelines to help you visualise the scale of your garden. Of course, size isn't everything when it comes to landscaping costs. A small garden with complex levels, bespoke features and expensive materials can cost considerably more than a larger garden with a simpler design.
Why it's important to establish a budget early
I always encourage clients to think about their overall budget before we begin the design process. It's much better to design a garden with a realistic budget in mind than to create something beautiful that turns out to be too expensive to build.
There are often different ways of achieving a similar look, and the choices we make during the design process can have a significant impact on the final cost. For example, a gravel seating area may be more economical than a paved patio, while different materials for paths, edging, steps and retaining walls can be selected to suit the available budget.
Knowing your budget from the outset allows me to make considered decisions about materials, features and the overall layout, balancing your wish list with what is realistically achievable.
It doesn't mean compromising on a beautiful garden. It means making thoughtful choices and investing your budget where it will make the greatest difference.
You don’t have to build everything at once
Sometimes the best approach is to design the whole garden and build it in stages. I would much rather help you work towards the garden you really want than compromise the design simply to finish everything in one go.
Having an overall plan means each stage contributes to the finished garden. We can consider the order of the work from the outset, including anything that needs to be prepared early for a later phase.
Planning a garden redesign: why starting early makes all the difference
Perhaps you've recently renovated your home and now it's time to give the garden the same attention. Or maybe your existing garden no longer works for the way you live, and you're ready for a complete transformation.
Whatever your reasons for redesigning, starting early gives us time to carefully consider the layout, materials, planting and, importantly, your budget. It also allows enough time for the design process, appointing a landscaper and scheduling the work, without having to rush important decisions.
If you're dreaming of a new garden for next summer, now is the time to get started. I'm currently taking bookings for new design projects, so do get in touch. I'd love to hear about your plans and help you create a garden you'll enjoy for years to come.
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