Read the summary first
Have ready: who will use the space, what they will do there, site photos, rough dimensions, what you want to keep, a budget range and when you would like to start. If you do not know something, just say so and the team will check it for you.
Have ready: who will use the space, what they will do there, site photos, rough dimensions, what you want to keep, a budget range and when you would like to start. If you do not know something, just say so and the team will check it for you.
Tell us about an ordinary day before choosing a style
Start with small routines, like wanting coffee before work, kids playing after school, or using the garden in the evening more than at midday. Tell us how many people use it regularly and when guests come. If anyone needs help getting around, describe how they use the space so the team can talk through the details.
Take photos that show the whole space and where it connects
Take wide shots from the house door, looking back toward the building, the route for carrying materials, any known water and power points, and spots that have trouble after rain. Shoot again in the morning or afternoon if the light changes a lot. Noting the date and time helps the team read the shadows in the photos.
If you have an existing plan, send it with any dimensions you know. Rough measurements are fine to start the conversation, but levels and boundaries used for the real work need to be checked again. The RHS recommends drawing a plan to scale so you can see the building, existing trees and fixed points before laying out the garden.
A one-page brief you can hand to the team
- People: who uses the garden, and how many at a time
- Activities: what you want to do, and when
- The space: photos, plan, rough size and access
- Existing features: trees, materials or corners you want to keep
- Budget: for design and for the work, or just say you are not sure yet
- Timing: when you want to start, site access conditions, and how flexible you are
- Decisions: who gathers the comments and signs off the design
Reference images should say what you like about them
One photo can have several things you like. Try noting whether it is the shade, the seating, the stone surface or the openness. That helps the team keep what you love even when your space is different from the photo. You do not need to find a picture that matches your house in every corner.
You do not need every answer before we talk
Anything still unknown should become an item to check, rather than a reason to guess numbers or needs. You can start with our brief form, download it and use it to talk with the team. Once the brief is clear, the scope and price follow.
Read more from the sources
- RHS · Creating your garden plan ↗
We use these principles to explain our thinking, and adjust decisions to the real conditions of the site.
