THE PROCESS
- The first step will be a meeting between the designer and the owner at the site of the garden. The designer will carry out a preliminary inspection of the site and take the owner through and complete a detailed questionnare designed to ensure that the designer becomes aware of all of the owner's aspirations for the garden and that all significant issues that will or might impact on the design and its implementation are considered and taken into account at the planning stage. Some owner's will already have very clear ideas about what they want ; others will need the designer's help to establish these.
- The next step will be for the designer to undertake or arrange to have undertaken a detailed survey of the site and to produce an outline plan setting out in brief the designer's proposals to meet the agreed requirements The results of the survey and the outline plan will then be discussed at a second meeting between the owner and the designer with the objective of agreeing on a final design.
- After this, the designer will draw up a scope of works for the agreed design, including all materials and plants to be used and arrange for independent contractors to quote to carry out such works. It is usual to ask up to three contractors to quote and for the designer and owner's to then discuss and agree which of the contractors to appoint to carry out the works. The cost quoted by a contractor will be a key factor but not the only one and the designer will carefully consider the various quotations and ensure that the owner understands how best to evaluate them.
- Once the choice of contractor has been agreed, the designer will approve the form of contract to be entered into between the owner and the contractor. The contract will specify in detail the scope of the works to be carried out, the materials and plants to be used, the timescale for implementation and the total costs to be paid. The designer will supervise the carrying out of the works by the contractor and advise the owner when agreed stage payments/final payments are due.
- Once the garden has been completed, the designer will prepare a brief for the customer detailing the key maintenance requirements for the garden going forward. Colin Campbell offers an ongoing maintenance contract which involves regular visits to check that the garden is maturing as proposed and that any plants/features that might benefit from attention, receive it.
