Some people love gardening, while others hate it. But one thing’s for sure; anyone can have a stunning outdoor space to enjoy throughout the year. The best gardens take elements of a person’s style preferences and combine them with functional features to create a multi-functional outdoor area.
While some people embrace gardening, while others hate the idea of digging holes and planting flowers. If you’re more green-eyed monster than green-fingered, then read on.
We will share how landscape gardening services can create your dream outdoor space and how much it would cost.
The Exterior Designer
When it comes to landscape gardening, people often get confused as to what constitutes a specialist. There are plenty of gardening services around, regardless of the town you’re in – but a general gardener isn’t a landscape specialist.
General gardeners will mow the lawn, prune hedges and clean your pond, but a landscape gardener specialises in design. Many landscape specialists regard themselves as exterior designers because they take a blank canvas and add both softscaping and hardscaping elements to bring a garden plan together.
In a way, it’s similar to interior design. A designer will plan decorative elements and advise you on colours, while a painter/decorator will carry out the actual work.
In many cases, a landscaping company will have a mixture of designers and gardeners. They’ll collaborate on the project, and most landscapers are happy to get stuck in with the actual gardening too.
How Much Do Landscapers Charge?
There’s no set fee for a landscape designer, and the rate you’ll pay depends on numerous factors. Entry-level landscape specialists will cost less than experienced people, and some will charge up to £200 a day.
If you choose a large landscaping company, they might offer set rates for a job instead of hourly rates, which can work out cheaper in the long run.
The rate a landscaper will charge covers their services but not the materials, so you’ll need to budget accordingly.
What’s the Typical Budget For Landscape Designers?
Knowing your budget is essential because it lets you create a garden that includes the elements you want but won’t put you in debt. Let’s take a look at different budgets and what they mean for your garden.
High-Budget Gardens
Few people are willing to spend £30,000 on their garden, but if you have an extensive outdoor area, you have more options for what you can do. Commercial properties such as pubs and restaurants might be willing to spend more on their garden – as will country escapes.
If you have a minimum budget of £10,000, you can use it to add hardscaping features, such as paths, tiered living areas and water features. Up to £30,000 will provide the best contractors and give you some wiggle room when it comes to ornamental features.
Medium Budget Gardens
If you can spare between £5000 – £10000, you’ll be able to hire a team of gardeners for a week and pay for vital materials. Most designers will charge based on your budget, so you’re looking at the specialist taking around 15% off the budget.
With a medium budget, you can decide whether you want to incorporate water features, pathways and decking areas, but you might need to prioritise which is more important.
Low Budget Gardens
A small budget shouldn’t stop you from having the garden of your dreams, but you will need to be smart and think about important features. For example, you might want to incorporate a cooking area into your garden but lack the funds to include each element.
Landscape design companies are skilled in building, so it would make sense to pay a company to create a decking area, then add a grill or pizza oven when you have the funds.
Similarly, you could ask the company to build raised planters but wait until you have more money to buy plants.
With some forward-thinking and planning, you can take any budget and use it to create a garden that works for your needs.
Things to Consider
Creating your dream garden doesn’t have to cause a headache, but many people settle for a few plants because they don’t know how to include those minor elements that make a big difference.
Hiring a landscape design company means you can make your outdoor area a functional space without getting your hands dirty.
Not all landscape design companies are made equal, so here are some things you should consider before choosing one.
Think About What’s Most Important
You should always weigh up what’s most important for your garden – especially if you’re on a budget. Some elements of your garden can wait, while others will help you to achieve the design you want in the future.
For example, most people can plant seeds, but few can lay decking. If you’re on a budget, it makes sense to let your gardening company do the heavy lifting, and you can add the finishing touches.
Find a Reputable Company
As we mentioned previously, just because someone’s a gardener doesn’t mean they’re skilled in landscape design, so it’s crucial to find the right company before committing.
Any reputable landscape gardening company will be able to showcase previous projects, so if there’s no gallery, then it’s time to look elsewhere.
Know Your Limitations
It’s so easy to get carried away, especially when you have a creative designer hurling ideas in front of you. We always recommend that you decide on a budget before the work begins, so there won’t be any nasty surprises when it comes to wrapping things up.
A good landscaper will listen to your requests and offer ideas that relate to the budget instead of getting you to spend more money.
Final Thoughts
Landscape design is a central part of turning an outdoor space into a living area, and there are so many things you can do to make your garden stand out. If you can’t afford a landscape designer, opting for the DIY route might be best.
At Floral & Hardy, we believe that everyone should access the best gardening tips and landscaping techniques. If you think that the DIY route is best for your needs, please feel free to follow our blog.
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Check our latest post on the best flower garden designs here.
