Complete Garden Transformation | Garden Design & Landscaping | Kirman Design
Complete garden transformations across North West England. Bespoke garden design, landscaping, planting, lighting and outdoor living from concept to completion.
Complete Garden Transformation
A complete garden transformation is more than replacing a patio, adding planting or installing a new feature.
It is the comprehensive redesign and rebuilding of the garden as one connected landscape.
That may involve:
Garden design
Demolition and excavation
Groundworks
Drainage
Level changes
Retaining walls
Paving
Steps
Pergolas
Outdoor kitchens
Garden lighting
Water features
Planting
Specimen trees
Lawns
Screening
Final detailing.
At Kirman Design, a complete garden transformation is approached as one coordinated project rather than a collection of separate jobs.
The aim is to create a garden where:
the layout + construction + materials + planting + lighting + outdoor living all work together.
We provide complete garden transformations throughout North West England, including Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the Ribble Valley.
What Is a Complete Garden Transformation?
A complete garden transformation is a major redesign and reconstruction of an existing garden.
It usually goes beyond:
Simple renovation
Planting refresh
Patio replacement.
Instead, the garden may be reconsidered from first principles.
That means asking:
How should the garden be used?
Where should the main spaces sit?
How should levels work?
What should be retained?
What should be removed?
Where should privacy be created?
How should planting structure the space?
What should the garden look like from inside the house?
The resulting project may involve both garden design and full landscape construction.
Complete Garden Transformation vs Garden Renovation
These terms overlap, but the distinction is useful.
A garden renovation may retain a significant proportion of the existing layout and improve:
Paving
Planting
Lighting
Drainage.
Our Garden Renovation page explores this approach.
A complete garden transformation usually goes further.
It may involve:
Replanning the layout
Changing levels
Replacing major areas of hard landscaping
Introducing new outdoor-living spaces
Rebuilding planting from the ground up.
Complete Garden Transformation vs Garden Remodelling
Garden remodelling generally focuses on changing how an existing garden is laid out and used.
Our Garden Remodelling page explores that search intent more specifically.
A complete transformation typically includes the full journey from:
redesign to construction to planting to completion.
When Does a Garden Need a Complete Transformation?
Common reasons include:
Garden no longer suits the property
House has been extended
Garden is poorly laid out
Paving has failed
Drainage is poor
Levels are awkward
Privacy is inadequate
Planting is overgrown or fragmented
Outdoor living is limited
Previous piecemeal changes have created a disconnected space.
A complete transformation allows all of these issues to be considered together.
Start With the Whole Garden
One of the biggest advantages of a complete transformation is that you do not have to solve each issue independently.
For example:
Patio size can be designed around outdoor dining
Pergola position can be coordinated with sun and privacy
Lighting can be planned before paving is installed
Trees can be positioned before hard landscaping is finalised
Drainage can be designed before levels are built.
This is fundamentally different from adding features one at a time.
Complete Garden Design and Build
For many substantial projects, the most efficient approach is to combine:
Design
Technical planning
Construction
Planting.
Our Complete Garden Design and Build page explores this integrated process.
What Does a Complete Garden Transformation Include?
The exact scope varies, but a major project may include:
Design
Consultation
Site survey
Concept design
Masterplan
Planting design
Construction information.
Groundworks
Excavation
Waste removal
Sub-base preparation
Drainage
Foundations.
Hard Landscaping
Patios
Paths
Walls
Steps
Retaining structures
Raised planters.
Structures and Features
Pergolas
Outdoor kitchens
Fire pits
Water features
Screening.
Soft Landscaping
Trees
Hedging
Shrubs
Perennials
Grasses
Lawns.
Finishing
Lighting
Mulching
Plant establishment
Handover.
The Garden Design Stage
A complete transformation should normally begin with design.
The design establishes:
Layout
Levels
Function
Circulation
Views
Privacy
Materials
Planting.
Our What Does a Garden Designer Do? page explores the professional role in more detail.
Do I Need a Garden Designer?
For a major transformation, professional design can help coordinate the decisions that would otherwise be made reactively during construction.
Our Do I Need a Garden Designer? page explores when the investment is worthwhile.
What Happens at a Garden Design Consultation?
The first meeting should establish:
How you use the garden
What is wrong with the existing space
What you want to achieve
Broad budget
Timescale.
Our What Happens at a Garden Design Consultation? page explains what to expect.
How to Prepare for the Consultation
You do not need to arrive with a finished design.
It is more useful to think about:
Priorities
Problems
Lifestyle
Budget.
Our How to Prepare for a Garden Design Consultation page provides a practical checklist.
What Information Does the Designer Need?
Useful information may include:
Plans
Photos
Measurements
Extension details
Budget
Access
Known drainage issues.
Our What Information Does a Garden Designer Need? page explores this in more detail.
Do I Need Drawings?
For a substantial project, drawings can help communicate:
Layout
Levels
Setting out
Planting
Construction details.
Our Do I Need Drawings for My Garden? page explains why this can improve both pricing and construction.
Garden Survey
A complete transformation often benefits from accurate site information.
Depending on the garden, a survey may establish:
Dimensions
Levels
Existing trees
Walls
Boundaries
Structures.
This provides a more reliable basis for design.
Design Around the House
The garden should respond to the architecture of the property.
That includes:
Door positions
Window views
Extensions
Materials
Internal circulation.
A garden that works beautifully on plan but ignores the house can still feel disconnected.
Transformation After a House Extension
House extensions often create one of the strongest reasons to transform the garden.
Our Garden Design After House Extension page explores how the layout can be reconsidered.
For the construction side, see Landscaping After House Extension.
Transformation After Building Work
Renovation and construction work can leave the garden with:
Compacted soil
Changed levels
Damaged planting
Rubble.
Our Garden Design After Building Work page explores how the landscape can be rebuilt afterwards.
Bifold Doors and Complete Garden Transformation
New bifold doors often change the main view from the house.
The garden may need to respond through:
New patio alignment
Level changes
Planting
Focal points.
Our Garden Design Around Bifold Doors page explores this relationship.
Sliding Doors and Garden Design
For properties with large sliding doors, our Garden Design Around Sliding Doors page explores how the garden can relate to wider glazing.
Indoor-Outdoor Living
A complete transformation can significantly improve the relationship between inside and outside.
Our Garden Design for Indoor Outdoor Living page explores how:
Thresholds
Views
Patios
Outdoor rooms
can work together.
Seamless House-to-Garden Transition
Our Seamless Transition House to Garden page explores how:
Materials
Levels
Geometry
can visually connect the two spaces.
Landscape Construction
Once the design is complete, the transformation moves into construction.
Our Landscape Construction page explores the broader process of building the garden.
Hard Landscaping
Major transformations often include extensive:
Paving
Walls
Steps
Structures.
Our Hard Landscaping page explores the structural elements in more detail.
Garden Groundworks
The visible garden depends on the quality of work beneath it.
Groundworks may include:
Excavation
Sub-bases
Foundations
Drainage.
Our Garden Groundworks page explores why this stage is so important.
Garden Excavation
A complete transformation may involve removing:
Existing paving
Concrete
Old walls
Soil.
Our Garden Excavation and Preparation page explores the early construction stages.
Garden Levels
Levels influence:
Drainage
Access
Views
Retaining
Steps.
Our Garden Levelling page explores how a site's levels can be redesigned.
Sloping Garden Transformation
A slope can be one of the most difficult existing conditions.
But it can also create opportunities for:
Terraces
Views
Layered planting.
Our Sloping Gardens page explores the design response.
For steeper sites, see Landscaping a Steep Garden.
Garden Terracing
Terraces can create distinct functional levels.
These may be used for:
Dining
Lawn
Planting
Relaxation.
Our Garden Terracing page explores the construction strategy.
Retaining Walls
Where ground levels differ, retaining walls may be required.
Our Garden Retaining Walls page explores their structural and design role.
Garden Steps
Steps can become a major architectural element in a transformed garden.
Our Garden Steps page explores their construction.
For inspiration, see Garden Steps Ideas.
Level Access From the House
A complete transformation can also be an opportunity to improve step-free access.
Our Level Access from House to Garden page explores how thresholds, paving and drainage can work together.
Accessible Garden Transformation
Accessibility should be integrated into the design rather than added later.
Our Accessible Garden Design page explores inclusive landscape planning.
For wheelchair-specific requirements, see Wheelchair Accessible Garden Design.
Garden Drainage
Drainage should be designed before the new landscape is completed.
A major project creates the opportunity to address:
Surface water
Waterlogging
Patio drainage
Soil drainage.
Our Garden Drainage page explores the broader strategy.
Drainage Around Patios and Extensions
Where paving sits close to the house, see Drainage Around Patios and Extensions.
This becomes especially important where external levels are raised.
Clay Soil
Many North West gardens sit on heavy clay.
Clay can influence:
Drainage
Lawn performance
Planting
Groundworks.
Our Clay Soil Gardens page explores how a complete landscape should respond.
Waterlogged Gardens
A full transformation is often the best time to resolve long-standing drainage problems.
Covering the issue with:
New turf
New paving
does not necessarily solve the underlying cause.
Patio Transformation
A new patio often forms a major part of a garden transformation.
But its size should follow:
Furniture
Use
Circulation
Garden proportion.
Our Garden Patio Ideas page explores different approaches.
Patio Outside Bifold Doors
For patios directly outside large glazed doors, see Patio Design Outside Bifold Doors.
This explores:
Paving alignment
Thresholds
Drainage
Proportion.
Garden Paths
Paths help structure movement through the transformed garden.
They can:
Connect spaces
Frame views
Create anticipation.
Our Garden Path Ideas page explores different layouts and materials.
Outdoor Living
A complete garden transformation often creates a much stronger outdoor-living environment.
That may include:
Dining
Lounge seating
Cooking
Fire
Shelter.
Our Creating an Outdoor Living Space page explores how these activities can be coordinated.
Outdoor Living Garden Design
For a design-led approach, see Outdoor Living Garden Design.
This focuses on how the whole garden can support everyday outdoor life.
Creating an Outdoor Room
A pergola, planting or screen can help transform an exposed patio into a more defined space.
Our Creating an Outdoor Room page explores the concept.
Garden Design for Entertaining
Where entertaining is central to the brief, our Garden Design for Entertaining page explores:
Guest numbers
Seating
Circulation
Lighting.
Outdoor Dining
Our Garden Design for Outdoor Dining page explores how a dining area should relate to:
Kitchen
House
Sun
Seating.
Evening Entertaining
If the transformed garden will be used after dark, see Garden Design for Evening Entertaining.
This considers:
Lighting
Shelter
Heat
Atmosphere.
Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor kitchens can become a major feature within a complete transformation.
Our Garden Design Around an Outdoor Kitchen page explores the relationship between:
Kitchen
Dining
Pergola
Circulation.
For budgeting, see How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost?.
Pergolas
Pergolas can define:
Dining
Lounge seating
Outdoor kitchens.
Our Pergola Ideas page explores different design approaches.
For costs, see How Much Does a Pergola Cost?.
Pergolas for Privacy
Where the transformation needs targeted privacy, see Pergolas for Privacy.
A structure can provide privacy around one important area without enclosing the whole garden.
Fire Pits
Fire pits can create a strong social focal point.
Our Garden Design Around a Fire Pit page explores how to integrate:
Seating
Circulation
Planting.
Hot Tubs
If a hot tub forms part of the transformation, consider:
Privacy
Access
Views
Drainage.
Our Garden Design Around a Hot Tub page explores these relationships.
Swimming Pools
For larger projects containing a pool, our Garden Design Around a Swimming Pool page explores how the pool can become part of the landscape rather than dominate it.
Water Features
Water can add:
Reflection
Movement
Sound.
Our Garden Water Feature Ideas page explores different styles.
Garden Lighting
A complete transformation gives you the opportunity to design lighting infrastructure before construction is finished.
Our Garden Lighting Ideas page explores how to illuminate:
Trees
Paths
Steps
Water
Outdoor-living spaces.
Privacy
Major redesigns often provide the best opportunity to improve privacy.
Instead of treating boundaries in isolation, the design can use:
Trees
Hedges
Screens
Pergolas
Layout changes.
Our Garden Privacy page explores the whole-garden strategy.
Overlooked Gardens
If the existing garden is heavily overlooked, see Overlooked Garden.
The solution may involve changing where people sit rather than simply increasing every boundary.
Garden Screening
Our Garden Screening Ideas page explores:
Structural screens
Planting
Trees
Pergolas.
How to Screen an Overlooking Window
Where one particular neighbouring window creates the problem, see How to Screen an Overlooking Window.
Targeted screening can be more effective than enclosing the entire garden.
How to Screen a Neighbour's Extension
A new extension can alter privacy and views significantly.
Our How to Screen a Neighbour's Extension page explores possible responses.
Planting Design
Planting should be fundamental to the transformation.
Our Planting Design page explores how:
Trees
Shrubs
Perennials
Grasses
can form a coherent scheme.
Soft Landscaping
Once the planting design is agreed, the installation process may include:
Soil preparation
Tree planting
Hedging
Shrub planting
Turf.
Our Soft Landscaping page explores the practical stage.
Trees in a Complete Garden Transformation
Trees can provide:
Scale
Privacy
Structure
Shade.
Where immediate impact is required, larger specimen trees may be introduced.
Their position should be considered before the design is finalised.
Mature Planting vs New Planting
Not every existing plant needs to be removed.
Mature:
Trees
Hedges
Shrubs
can provide valuable character.
A complete transformation can still retain selected elements.
Transformation Does Not Mean Everything Must Be New
The objective is not:
replace everything.
The objective is:
create the strongest possible final garden.
Sometimes that means retaining:
Mature tree
Historic wall
Existing hedge.
Selective retention can improve both the design and the budget.
Garden Styles
A complete transformation can take many forms.
The correct style should respond to:
Property
Site
Lifestyle.
Contemporary Garden Transformation
Our Contemporary Gardens page explores gardens using:
Architectural materials
Strong planting
Clean lines.
Modern Garden Transformation
Our Modern Gardens page explores more strongly geometric design.
Country Garden Transformation
For rural and traditional properties, see Country Gardens.
The aim may be to create a garden that transitions naturally into its wider setting.
Formal Garden Transformation
Our Formal Gardens page explores:
Symmetry
Geometry
Repetition.
Naturalistic Garden Transformation
Our Naturalistic Gardens page explores a looser, planting-led approach.
Prairie Garden Transformation
For large areas of grasses and perennials, see Prairie Gardens.
Japanese Garden Transformation
Our Japanese Gardens page explores how:
Restraint
Materials
Planting
Water
can create a distinctive atmosphere.
Courtyard Transformation
Courtyard gardens often benefit from concentrated design changes.
Our Courtyard Gardens page explores how enclosed spaces can use:
Planting
Lighting
Vertical elements.
Small Garden Transformation
A complete transformation can make a small garden feel dramatically more usable.
Our Small Garden Design page explores:
Proportion
Privacy
Storage
Multi-function spaces.
Medium-Sized Garden Transformation
Medium gardens often have enough room to create:
Dining
Planting
Lawn
Privacy
without needing an overly complicated layout.
The design should still prioritise hierarchy.
Large Garden Transformation
Large gardens usually need a strong masterplan before construction begins.
Our Large Gardens page explores how to structure:
Multiple spaces
Long views
Large planting areas.
Very Large Gardens
For particularly substantial sites, see Very Large Garden Design.
These landscapes may require stronger zoning and longer-term planning.
One-Acre Gardens
Our Garden Design for an Acre page explores how a one-acre garden can be structured without feeling overdesigned.
Half-Acre Gardens
For smaller but still substantial plots, see Garden Design for Half an Acre.
Family Garden Transformation
Family gardens often need to accommodate changing priorities.
Our Family Garden Design page explores how:
Play
Entertaining
Planting
Privacy
can coexist.
Trampolines
A complete redesign can integrate a trampoline more carefully.
Our Garden Design with a Trampoline page explores this.
For targeted solutions, see How to Hide a Trampoline in a Garden and Sunken Trampoline Ideas.
Dog-Friendly Garden Transformation
Dogs can influence:
Lawn choice
Planting
Boundaries
Routes.
Our Dog-Friendly Garden Design page explores how practical needs can be incorporated without sacrificing design quality.
For planting, see Dog-Friendly Garden Plants.
Accessible Garden Transformation
Accessibility can be incorporated into the entire landscape.
This may involve:
Level access
Wider paths
Gentler gradients
Appropriate paving
Raised planting
Seating.
Our Accessible Garden Design page explores these principles.
Wheelchair Accessible Garden Transformation
For wheelchair-specific requirements, see Wheelchair Accessible Garden Design.
Supporting pages include:
Raised Beds and Accessible Planting
Our Raised Beds for Accessible Gardens page explores how planting can be brought to a more comfortable height.
Sensory Garden Design
For gardens where sensory experience is important, see Sensory Garden Design for Accessibility.
New-Build Garden Transformation
Many new-build gardens are almost blank canvases.
But they can also contain:
Compaction
Poor soil
Limited privacy
Small patios.
Our New-Build Gardens page explores how these plots can be transformed.
Period Property Garden Transformation
The garden should respond to the architecture of the house.
Our Garden Design for Period Properties page explores how:
Materials
Planting
Proportion
can support the property.
Victorian Houses
For Victorian properties, see Garden Design for Victorian Houses.
Edwardian Houses
For Edwardian properties, see Garden Design for Edwardian Houses.
Listed Buildings
Listed properties can require additional care when transforming:
Levels
Structures
Historic fabric.
Our Garden Design for Listed Buildings page explores the wider considerations.
Country Houses
For substantial traditional properties, see Garden Design for Country Houses.
Barn Conversions
Our Garden Design for Barn Conversions page explores how modern outdoor living can be integrated with rural architecture.
Modern Homes
For newer architecture, see Garden Design for Modern Homes.
Contemporary Houses
Our Garden Design for Contemporary Houses page explores gardens that respond to strong architectural forms and large areas of glazing.
Rural Properties
For gardens that need to relate to the wider countryside, see Garden Design for Rural Properties.
Farmhouses
Our Garden Design for Farmhouses page explores the relationship between practical rural buildings and designed landscapes.
How Much Does a Complete Garden Transformation Cost?
There is no single figure.
A complete transformation can vary enormously depending on:
Garden size
Access
Ground conditions
Level changes
Drainage
Paving
Walls
Structures
Planting
Lighting.
For specific budgeting guidance, see Garden Transformation Cost.
How Much Does Landscaping Cost?
Our How Much Does Landscaping Cost? page provides broader guidance across different landscape elements.
How Much Does It Cost to Completely Landscape a Garden?
Where the majority of an existing garden is being rebuilt, see How Much Does It Cost to Completely Landscape a Garden?.
How Much Does a New Garden Cost?
Our How Much Does a New Garden Cost? page provides another way of approaching whole-garden budgeting.
Luxury Garden Costs
For higher-specification projects, see How Much Does a Luxury Garden Cost?.
Large Garden Landscaping Costs
Large gardens have their own cost structure because scale affects:
Groundworks
Material movement
Planting
Programme.
Our How Much Does a Large Garden Cost to Landscape? page explores this in more detail.
Set a Garden Transformation Budget
Before finalising the design, establish a realistic financial framework.
Our How to Set a Budget for Garden Landscaping page provides a practical approach.
This can help prioritise:
Essential
Groundworks
Drainage
Levels.
Important
Main patio
Planting
Privacy.
Desirable
Pergola
Outdoor kitchen
Water feature.
£50,000–£100,000 Garden Transformations
For substantial projects within this investment range, see Garden Design £50,000–£100,000 Budget.
This explores how to balance:
Design
Construction
Planting
Features.
£100,000+ Garden Transformations
Larger, more complex projects may involve:
Major groundworks
Extensive paving
Structures
Large trees
Lighting
Outdoor kitchens.
Our Garden Design £100,000+ Projects page explores this scale of investment.
Garden Design Fees
The design fee should be considered separately from the construction budget.
Our How Much Does Garden Design Cost? page explores professional design costs.
How Much Does a Garden Designer Charge?
For more detail on designer pricing structures, see How Much Does a Garden Designer Charge?.
How Much Does a Landscaper Charge?
For contractor charging structures, see How Much Does a Landscaper Charge?.
For substantial projects, however, the total project quotation is generally more useful than concentrating only on day rates.
Phasing a Garden Transformation
A complete garden does not always need to be built in one phase.
Possible phasing might be:
Phase One
Drainage
Groundworks
Main patio.
Phase Two
Walls
Structures
Secondary spaces.
Phase Three
Planting
Lighting
Finishing.
The important principle is:
design the whole garden first.
Why Design the Whole Garden Before Phasing?
Without an overall masterplan, early work can conflict with later ambitions.
For example:
Patio may be built where future drainage needs to run
Tree may be planted where a future pergola needs foundations
Lighting may need to be retrofitted after paving.
A complete design protects future phases.
How Long Does a Complete Garden Transformation Take?
Project duration depends on:
Scale
Complexity
Access
Weather
Material lead times.
A significant transformation may take:
Several weeks
Several months.
The design and planning stages should also be included when establishing the overall programme.
How Far in Advance Should I Book a Garden Designer?
Our How Far in Advance Should I Book a Garden Designer? page explores the design lead time.
For substantial projects, start earlier than you think.
How Far in Advance Should I Book a Landscaper?
Our How Far in Advance Should I Book a Landscaper? page explores construction lead times.
A major transformation should generally be planned months ahead rather than weeks ahead.
Choosing a Garden Design and Landscaping Company
A complete transformation requires more than individual trade skill.
Look for a company that can understand:
Design
Construction
Drainage
Planting
Project management.
Our How to Choose a Landscaping Company page provides a detailed selection guide.
Choosing a Garden Designer
If design and construction are being appointed separately, our How to Choose a Garden Designer page explores what to look for.
Questions to Ask a Garden Designer
Useful questions include:
What drawings are included?
How is budget considered?
Is planting design included?
How does the design transfer to construction?
Our Questions to Ask a Garden Designer page provides a comprehensive checklist.
Questions to Ask a Landscaper
Before appointing a construction contractor, ask about:
Ground preparation
Drainage
Programme
Payment stages
Materials
Variations.
Our Questions to Ask a Landscaper page provides a detailed guide.
Warning Signs When Choosing a Landscaper
Potential concerns include:
Vague quotations
No drainage discussion
Unclear payment stages
Lack of drawings
Poor communication.
Our Warning Signs When Choosing a Landscaper page explores these red flags.
Do I Need Planning Permission?
Many garden transformations do not require a planning application.
However, additional controls may apply to:
Significant level changes
Raised structures
Boundary work
Listed properties
Protected trees.
Our Do I Need Planning Permission to Landscape My Garden? page provides a broader guide.
Project Management
A complete garden transformation may involve coordination of:
Design
Groundworkers
Landscapers
Electricians
Plumbers
Suppliers
Plant nurseries
Specialist installers.
Effective project management is therefore a major part of successful delivery.
Material Coordination
Materials should be selected as part of one palette.
That might include:
Paving
Walls
Timber
Steel
Pergola finishes
Outdoor kitchen finishes.
Too many unrelated materials can weaken the garden.
Planting Coordination
Planting should complement the hard landscape rather than fill whatever spaces remain.
Trees may frame views.
Shrubs may soften walls.
Grasses may bring movement beside paving.
Perennials may provide seasonal change.
That relationship is central to a complete transformation.
Lighting Coordination
Lighting should also be planned before construction is complete.
This allows:
Cables
Ducts
Power supplies
to be coordinated with the landscape.
Retrofitting lighting after all paving has been installed is often less elegant.
Drainage Coordination
The drainage strategy should sit beneath the entire project.
It may influence:
Finished levels
Patio falls
Wall construction
Planting.
Drainage is therefore not an optional extra added after the design.
Complete Garden Transformation in North West England
Gardens across North West England face particular challenges.
These may include:
High rainfall
Heavy clay soils
Exposed sites
Period properties
Sloping land.
The design should respond to the actual local conditions rather than use a generic layout.
Garden Transformations in Lancashire
Lancashire gardens range from:
Urban properties
Rural homes
Coastal sites
Large country gardens.
Planting, drainage and exposure can vary significantly across the county.
Garden Transformations in Cheshire
Cheshire contains many properties where the garden needs to integrate with:
Extensions
Large glazing
Outdoor kitchens
Contemporary architecture.
A complete design can ensure these elements feel coordinated.
Garden Transformations in Greater Manchester
Urban and suburban gardens often need to balance:
Privacy
Outdoor living
Limited space
Neighbouring buildings.
A strong layout can dramatically improve how these spaces feel.
Garden Transformations in Merseyside
Gardens across Merseyside can include:
Period properties
Coastal conditions
Suburban family gardens.
The correct transformation should respond to the site rather than simply replicate current design trends.
Garden Transformations in the Ribble Valley
Ribble Valley properties often have:
Larger plots
Views
Exposure
Rural character.
The garden may need to connect visually with the wider landscape while still creating comfortable, sheltered spaces around the house.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a complete garden transformation?
A complete garden transformation is the comprehensive redesign and rebuilding of an existing garden, potentially including design, groundworks, hard landscaping, planting, lighting and garden features.
Is a complete garden transformation the same as landscaping?
Landscaping is part of the process. A complete transformation usually also includes strategic redesign and coordination of the whole garden.
Is it the same as garden renovation?
Not necessarily. Renovation may improve an existing layout, whereas a complete transformation may fundamentally change it. See Garden Renovation.
Is it the same as garden remodelling?
They overlap. Remodelling focuses strongly on changing layout and use, while complete transformation normally includes the full design-and-build journey. See Garden Remodelling.
Do I need to remove everything?
No. Mature trees, hedges, walls and other valuable features may be retained where they support the design.
Can you completely transform a sloping garden?
Yes. Terracing, retaining walls, steps and drainage can radically change how a slope works.
Can you transform a waterlogged garden?
Yes. The drainage problem should be investigated and incorporated into the redesign.
Can you transform a new-build garden?
Yes. See New-Build Gardens.
Can you transform a garden after an extension?
Yes. Extensions often create the ideal opportunity to redesign the entire relationship between the house and garden.
Can you add a pergola?
Yes. Pergolas can be incorporated as part of an outdoor-living area.
Can you add an outdoor kitchen?
Yes. It is generally better to coordinate the kitchen with the patio, services and dining space from the beginning.
Can you add garden lighting?
Yes. A complete transformation is an ideal time to plan lighting infrastructure properly.
Can you improve privacy?
Yes. The design can use layout, trees, hedging, screens and structures to improve privacy.
Does a complete garden transformation include planting?
Yes. Planting should form a fundamental part of the finished landscape.
How much does a complete garden transformation cost?
Costs vary enormously according to garden size, access, groundworks, drainage, materials, features and planting. See Garden Transformation Cost.
How long does a complete garden transformation take?
Small transformations may take a few weeks, while major design-led projects can take several months to build in addition to the design and planning period.
Can a garden transformation be phased?
Yes. Ideally, design the whole garden first and then divide the construction into logical phases.
Do I need a garden designer?
For a substantial transformation, professional design can help establish the complete layout before major construction begins.
Do I need drawings?
For complex projects, drawings can make the design easier to price, set out and construct accurately.
How do I choose a landscaping company?
See How to Choose a Landscaping Company.
What should I ask a landscaper before hiring them?
See Questions to Ask a Landscaper.
A Complete Garden Transformation Should Change More Than the Appearance
The strongest transformations do not simply make a garden:
newer
or:
more fashionable.
They make it work better.
The:
patio is where it should be
levels are easier to use
drainage has been resolved
privacy is improved
planting has enough space
lighting extends the garden into the evening
outdoor-living areas support the way you actually live.
Most importantly, the garden feels connected to the house and to itself.
That is what separates a collection of landscaping improvements from a genuine complete garden transformation.
At Kirman Design, we combine:
garden design + landscape construction + hard landscaping + planting design + soft landscaping
to create complete gardens rather than disconnected features.
If you are considering a complete garden transformation in Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, the Ribble Valley or elsewhere across North West England, Kirman Design can take the project from initial consultation and design through construction, planting and final completion.