...Sophia's Gardens

...Stage 1: Initial contact. You phone or e-mail me expressing interest. I will contact you shortly and send my basic price list. You reply with continued interest and we arrrange an initial consultation. I send you my pre-consultation questionnaire to help you think about what you would like for your garden as well as your essential needs.

...Stage 2: Initial consultation. We meet and discuss your detailed requirements. This will involve a close inspection of the garden and in-depth discussion of the styles and forms of garden you prefer as well as more mundane matters such as "Do you need a shed"?. If the garden is very small and we agree on the design fee immediately, we can sign a pre-brief contract and I can survey straightaway. This will save you some travel fees. Otherwise I will leave to prepare a brief & quote for the design work. Once we are agreed on the brief we both sign the contract and I will arrange to return to survey the garden.

...Stage 3: The garden survey. I will measure boundaries, levels, the house and any other necessary items. I note the garden's aspect, wind exposure, soil pH and many other details essential to creating an accurate picture of your garden, so that I may choose with care where to place patio, paths and other features.

...Stage 4: The draft plan. After a period of reflection, I will prepare a number of drafts for you to consider. We will talk through which elements you prefer, and their locations, and upon agreement I will proceed to draw up the final plan. On this visit, I usually bring paving catalogues and samples to help you choose your materials.

...Stage 5: The final plan. For small gardens this plan can be on a larger scale and combine layout and planting plans; for larger gardens there will be separate layout and planting plans, and the latter may not be produced until the landscaping work has finished. Once you have seen your beautiful new design, we will discuss how the garden is to be created. If you wish to DIY, I can give advice on how to proceed. Alternatively, you can employ me to oversee the build process.

...Stage 6: The build process. At the outset I will show you the form of contract that I use which is a standard form published by The Joint Contracts Tribunal. Once signed, the first step is to write specifications so that we can ask contractors to tender for the work. Once we are satisfied with a contractor's bid, we all will decide the time scale and the contractor will sign his section of the contract. Throughout the build process I will oversee at regular intervals and liaise with you. On completion, a final inspection will be performed and a certificate of completion issued.

...Stage 7: Planting. I really enjoy this stage. Once the planting plans and the build are complete, it's time to shop for plants. My system is to buy and plant in the appropriate season. So, I buy bulbs, shrubs and trees and plant these in autumn; bare-rooted perennials for spring planting, and for cold sites, shrubs and trees in containers can go in during early spring. I buy smaller plants, which establish better than larger ones, and cost you less. (However, this is not instant gardening. The plants are spaced, for example, so that perennials fill their area after 3 years, at their mature size.) If the the build is completed at an innapropriate planting time the bare soil can be sown with a decorative green manure, to be dug into the ground in autumn. Planting will be done by Sophia's Gardens, with you taking part also if you wish. Many happy hours have been passed by myself and clients together in their new garden in this way. I can also give advice on aftercare in the form of a maintenance schedule or plant care list.

...Stage 8: And finally... You have a brand new, beautiful, easy-care garden to watch grow and develop; play and relax in; show to the neighbours..., the list becomes endless.