Garden Design & Build | Garden Designers & Landscapers | Kirman Design
Bespoke garden design and build across North West England. From initial design to landscaping, paving, lighting and planting, we create complete gardens.
Garden Design & Build
A successful garden depends on more than good design.
It also depends on how accurately that design is translated into the finished landscape.
At Kirman Design, our garden design and build service brings together:
garden design + landscape construction + planting + project coordination.
This creates a clear route from the first conversation about the garden through to the physical landscaping and final planting.
Rather than treating the design and build as disconnected stages, the garden can be developed with:
Construction
Materials
Levels
Drainage
Planting
Budget
in mind from the beginning.
We provide garden design and build services throughout North West England, including Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the Ribble Valley.
What Is Garden Design and Build?
Garden design and build combines the creative planning of the garden with the physical landscaping required to deliver it.
The design stage may establish:
Overall layout
Patios
Paths
Levels
Steps
Walls
Planting
Trees
Privacy
Outdoor living
Lighting
Water features.
The build stage then translates that design into the completed landscape.
Garden Designers and Landscapers Working Together
The relationship between the designer and landscape team is critical.
A drawing may show where:
Patio
Wall
Step
Tree
should be located.
But the construction team also needs to understand:
Levels
Build-up
Drainage
Materials
Setting out
Access.
Our Garden Designer and Landscaper page explores how these two roles should work together.
Why Combine Garden Design and Landscaping?
When garden design and landscaping are considered together, decisions can be made with the finished project in mind.
This can help coordinate:
Layout
Construction
Material choices
Planting
Specialist features.
For example, an outdoor kitchen affects:
Services
Patio dimensions
Dining area
Pergola position.
A specimen tree affects:
Access
Excavation
Planting
Views.
A design-and-build approach allows these relationships to be resolved before they create problems on site.
Garden Design Comes First
The construction phase should normally follow a properly considered design.
Without an overall plan, projects can become a sequence of individual decisions:
Where shall the patio go?
Where shall we put the pergola?
What paving should we use?
Where shall we plant the trees?
Those questions are better answered as part of one landscape composition.
What Does a Garden Designer Do?
Our What Does a Garden Designer Do? page explores how professional garden design can involve:
Spatial planning
Levels
Materials
Planting
Views
Outdoor living.
Do I Need a Garden Designer?
Not every small landscape project requires a full design service.
However, design usually becomes more valuable as:
The project gets larger
Construction becomes more complex
Investment increases.
Our Do I Need a Garden Designer? page explores when professional design can be particularly useful.
Start With a Garden Design Consultation
The first stage is understanding what the garden needs to achieve.
A consultation may explore:
How the garden is currently used
What does not work
Desired features
Style
Maintenance
Privacy
Budget.
Our What Happens at a Garden Design Consultation? page explains what to expect.
Preparing for the Design Consultation
You do not need to arrive with a finished concept.
It is generally more useful to think about:
Problems
Priorities
Lifestyle
Budget.
Our How to Prepare for a Garden Design Consultation page provides a practical checklist.
What Information Does a Garden Designer Need?
Useful information can include:
House plans
Extension drawings
Site measurements
Photographs
Known drainage problems
Access information.
Our What Information Does a Garden Designer Need? page explores the information that can help the design process.
Understanding the Site
A good design-and-build project should start with the actual conditions of the garden.
These may include:
Soil
Levels
Existing trees
Boundaries
Drainage
Aspect
Wind
Access.
The design should respond to those conditions rather than attempting to impose a generic solution.
Existing Trees and Planting
Existing mature vegetation can be extremely valuable.
Trees and hedges may provide:
Scale
Privacy
Character
Immediate maturity.
Where appropriate, these can be incorporated into the new garden.
Do I Need Garden Design Drawings?
For substantial projects, drawings can create a much clearer link between the design and construction stages.
These may include:
Masterplans
Setting-out drawings
Sections
Levels
Planting plans
Construction details.
Our Do I Need Drawings for My Garden? page explains the different types.
Design With the Build in Mind
Good landscape design needs to be both:
creative
and:
buildable.
That means considering practical questions such as:
Can machinery access the garden?
How will materials reach the site?
Where will drainage run?
How will retaining walls be constructed?
How will specimen trees reach their planting positions?
Resolving these issues early can reduce unnecessary changes later.
Garden Design and Build Budget
Budget should be part of the design process.
The overall landscaping investment influences:
Scale
Material choices
Plant sizes
Structures
Amount of hard landscaping.
Our How to Set a Budget for Garden Landscaping page explores how to establish priorities.
How Much Does Garden Design Cost?
The design fee will depend on factors such as:
Garden size
Complexity
Required drawings
Planting design.
Our How Much Does Garden Design Cost? page provides broader guidance.
How Much Does Landscaping Cost?
The main project investment is often the physical landscaping.
Our How Much Does Landscaping Cost? page explores factors including:
Groundworks
Materials
Access
Structures
Planting.
Garden Design and Build With a £50,000–£100,000 Budget
For significant projects in this investment range, see Garden Design £50,000–£100,000 Budget.
At this level, the design may need to carefully prioritise:
Main terrace
Groundworks
Planting
Key features.
Garden Design and Build for £100,000+ Projects
Larger projects can involve considerably more coordination.
Our Garden Design £100,000+ Projects page explores projects involving:
Extensive landscape construction
Bespoke structures
Mature trees
Outdoor kitchens
Lighting.
From Design to Landscape Construction
Once the design is sufficiently developed, the project can move into physical construction.
Our Landscape Construction page explores this stage in detail.
Landscape construction may include:
Excavation
Ground preparation
Drainage
Walls
Steps
Paving
Structures
Planting.
Garden Groundworks
Much of the most important work may ultimately be invisible.
Our Garden Groundworks page explores:
Excavation
Sub-bases
Foundations
Soil preparation.
Good finished landscaping depends heavily on these early stages.
Garden Excavation and Preparation
Existing gardens may require:
Old paving removal
Concrete breaking
Excavation
Soil movement.
Our Garden Excavation and Preparation page explores this part of the construction process.
Hard Landscaping
Hard landscaping establishes much of the permanent structure of the garden.
It may include:
Paving
Patios
Walls
Steps
Paths
Raised planters.
Our Hard Landscaping page explores these elements in more detail.
Soft Landscaping
The living elements of the garden may include:
Trees
Hedging
Shrubs
Perennials
Grasses
Lawns.
Our Soft Landscaping page explores the professional planting and installation stage.
Planting Design
Planting should ideally be designed before the final stage of construction.
Our Planting Design page explores how:
Trees
Shrubs
Perennials
Grasses
can be combined using:
Structure
Repetition
Seasonal interest
Site suitability.
Garden Drainage
Drainage should not be an afterthought.
It can influence:
Levels
Paving
Lawns
Planting
Retaining walls.
Our Garden Drainage page explores the wider subject.
Clay Soil Gardens
Heavy clay is common across many areas of North West England.
It may affect:
Drainage
Excavation
Planting
Lawn performance.
Our Clay Soil Gardens page explores how the design and landscaping can respond.
Changing Garden Levels
Levels are often one of the most important technical aspects of the design.
They affect:
Drainage
Accessibility
Steps
Retaining walls.
Our Garden Levelling page explores this subject.
Sloping Garden Design and Build
Slopes can require particularly close coordination between design and construction.
Our Sloping Gardens page explores how:
Terracing
Retaining walls
Steps
Planting
can transform difficult sites.
For more severe gradients, see Landscaping a Steep Garden.
Garden Terracing
Terracing can create more usable horizontal areas on sloping sites.
Our Garden Terracing page explores this strategy.
Garden Retaining Walls
Where level changes need structural support, see Garden Retaining Walls.
Garden Steps
Steps should be designed as part of the wider layout rather than inserted wherever a level difference occurs.
Our Garden Steps page explores the construction side.
For inspiration, see Garden Steps Ideas.
Patio Design and Build
Patios should be designed around:
Use
Furniture
Circulation
House
Views.
Our Garden Patio Ideas page explores a range of approaches.
Garden Design Around Bifold Doors
Large doors can significantly influence:
Patio alignment
Views
External levels
Planting.
Our Garden Design Around Bifold Doors page explores this relationship.
Patio Design Outside Bifold Doors
For the patio itself, see Patio Design Outside Bifold Doors.
This explores:
Paving layout
Thresholds
Drainage
Furniture.
Garden Design Around Sliding Doors
For wide sliding openings, our Garden Design Around Sliding Doors page explores how the landscape can respond.
Level Access From House to Garden
Where step-free access is required, external levels should be considered before construction begins.
Our Level Access from House to Garden page explores:
Thresholds
Drainage
Paving levels.
Accessible Garden Design and Build
Accessibility can be integrated into a high-quality landscape from the beginning.
Our Accessible Garden Design page explores:
Routes
Slopes
Seating
Surfaces.
For wheelchair-specific requirements, see Wheelchair Accessible Garden Design.
Garden Design and Build After a House Extension
An extension can change:
Access to the garden
Internal views
Door positions
External levels.
Our Garden Design After House Extension page explores how the garden can be redesigned around the new architecture.
Landscaping After a House Extension
Where the garden has also been damaged or disrupted during construction, see Landscaping After House Extension.
Garden Levels After an Extension
New floor levels may not align with the original garden.
Our Garden Levels After an Extension page explores how this can be addressed.
Drainage Around Patios and Extensions
Where new paving meets the property, drainage needs careful planning.
Our Drainage Around Patios and Extensions page explores this specific issue.
Indoor-Outdoor Garden Design
Many modern garden projects aim to strengthen the connection between:
Interior
Terrace
Garden.
Our Garden Design for Indoor Outdoor Living page explores:
Sightlines
Levels
Materials
Outdoor rooms.
Seamless Transition From House to Garden
Our Seamless Transition House to Garden page explores this relationship in more detail.
Garden Design and Build for Outdoor Living
Outdoor-living spaces can include:
Dining
Lounging
Cooking
Entertaining.
Our Creating an Outdoor Living Space page explores how these areas can form part of the wider landscape.
Creating an Outdoor Room
Pergolas, screens, walls and planting can create a more defined room within the garden.
Our Creating an Outdoor Room page explores this approach.
Garden Design for Entertaining
For clients who entertain regularly, our Garden Design for Entertaining page explores:
Guest circulation
Seating
Dining
Lighting.
Garden Design for Outdoor Dining
Our Garden Design for Outdoor Dining page explores how to size and position dining areas correctly.
Outdoor Kitchens
An outdoor kitchen may require:
Foundations
Services
Power
Lighting
Dining space.
Our Garden Design Around an Outdoor Kitchen page explores how these requirements can be integrated into the garden design.
Pergolas
Pergolas may provide:
Shade
Shelter
Privacy
Architectural structure.
Our Pergola Ideas page explores different design approaches.
For budgeting, see How Much Does a Pergola Cost?.
Fire Pits
Fire pits can create a strong secondary destination.
Our Garden Design Around a Fire Pit page explores how they can be integrated with:
Seating
Planting
Paving.
Hot Tubs
Hot tubs need to be considered around:
Privacy
Access
Drainage
Views.
Our Garden Design Around a Hot Tub page explores these issues.
Swimming Pools
For larger projects containing swimming pools, see Garden Design Around a Swimming Pool.
Garden Water Features
Water can provide:
Movement
Reflection
Sound
Focal points.
Our Garden Water Feature Ideas page explores a range of possibilities.
Garden Lighting
Lighting should ideally be planned before:
Paving
Walls
Planting
are completed.
Our Garden Lighting Ideas page explores how selective lighting can improve the garden after dark.
Garden Privacy
Privacy can be designed through:
Layout
Trees
Hedging
Screens
Pergolas.
Our Garden Privacy page explores the wider strategy.
Overlooked Gardens
Where neighbouring buildings create direct sightlines, see Overlooked Garden.
A design may reposition key spaces as well as add screening.
Garden Screening
Our Garden Screening Ideas page explores:
Planting
Trees
Screens
Structures.
Screening an Overlooking Window
Where one window is responsible for most of the overlooking, see How to Screen an Overlooking Window.
Screening a Neighbour's Extension
For privacy problems caused by new development, see How to Screen a Neighbour's Extension.
New-Build Garden Design and Build
New-build gardens often begin with:
Limited planting
Small patios
Compacted soil
Overlooking.
Our New-Build Gardens page explores how these spaces can be transformed.
Garden Design for Period Properties
For older houses, the landscape should respond appropriately to the architecture.
Our Garden Design for Period Properties page explores:
Materials
Proportion
Planting.
Garden Design for Listed Buildings
Where the property is listed, see Garden Design for Listed Buildings.
Historic properties can require additional consideration around:
Setting
Existing structures
Trees.
Garden Design for Country Houses
Substantial country properties often need stronger masterplanning.
Our Garden Design for Country Houses page explores this property type.
Rural Garden Design and Build
Our Garden Design for Rural Properties page explores how the landscape can connect with:
Countryside
Views
Trees
Hedgerows.
Farmhouse Gardens
For farmhouse properties, see Garden Design for Farmhouses.
Barn Conversion Gardens
Barn conversions frequently combine historic exterior architecture with contemporary internal spaces.
Our Garden Design for Barn Conversions page explores how the garden can connect the two.
Bespoke Garden Design
A design-and-build service should still produce a garden that is individual to the property.
Our Bespoke Garden Design page explores this site-specific approach.
Contemporary Garden Design and Build
For cleaner, current landscape design, see Contemporary Garden Design.
Modern Garden Design and Build
For a more geometric and architectural approach, see Modern Garden Design.
Country Garden Design and Build
For rural and traditional properties, see Country Garden Design.
Formal Gardens
Our Formal Gardens page explores gardens based around:
Structure
Symmetry
Repetition.
Naturalistic Gardens
For softer planting-led landscapes, see Naturalistic Gardens.
Prairie Gardens
For larger-scale perennial and grass planting, see Prairie Gardens.
Small Garden Design and Build
Smaller gardens can be particularly demanding because every area has to work hard.
Our Small Garden Design page explores:
Proportion
Privacy
Storage
Multi-functional spaces.
Large Garden Design and Build
Large gardens need stronger structure and masterplanning.
Our Large Garden Design page explores:
Scale
Zoning
Views
Planting.
Very Large Gardens
For estate-scale or very substantial plots, see Very Large Garden Design.
Half-Acre Gardens
Our Garden Design for Half an Acre page explores how to organise substantial domestic plots.
One-Acre Gardens
For larger sites, see Garden Design for an Acre.
Family Garden Design and Build
A family garden may need to combine:
Play
Lawn
Dining
Planting
Privacy.
Our Family Garden Design page explores how these requirements can be integrated.
Gardens With Trampolines
Where a trampoline is required, our Garden Design with a Trampoline page explores how it can be planned into the overall layout.
For more targeted strategies, see How to Hide a Trampoline in a Garden and Sunken Trampoline Ideas.
Dog-Friendly Garden Design and Build
Dogs can influence:
Surfaces
Boundaries
Planting
Lawns.
Our Dog-Friendly Garden Design page explores these practical considerations.
Garden Renovation and Build
Not every project needs a completely new garden.
Our Garden Renovation page explores how:
Existing trees
Walls
Planting
Quality materials
can sometimes be retained.
Garden Remodelling
Where the main issue is the existing layout, see Garden Remodelling.
This focuses on changing:
Patios
Paths
Levels
Use.
Complete Garden Transformation
Where most of the existing garden needs redesign and rebuilding, see Complete Garden Transformation.
This brings together:
Design
Groundworks
Construction
Planting.
Complete Garden Design and Build
For a more detailed explanation of the full end-to-end service, see Complete Garden Design and Build.
That page explores the complete project journey in greater depth.
Garden Design & Build Company
If you are specifically researching what type of company to appoint, our Garden Design & Build Company page explains the benefits and considerations of using a business that combines design and construction.
Garden Project Management
Larger projects may involve:
Multiple suppliers
Specialist trades
Long-lead materials
Large planting deliveries.
Our Garden Project Management page explores how these elements can be coordinated.
Moving From Design to Construction
One of the most important moments in any landscape project is the transition from:
idea
to:
buildable information.
Before major work begins, there should ideally be clarity around:
Layout
Levels
Materials
Scope
Planting
Budget.
This reduces the number of major decisions that need to be made reactively on site.
Material Selection
Materials may include:
Porcelain
Natural stone
Brick
Timber
Metal
Gravel.
They should be selected as part of one coherent palette.
The best design is rarely the one containing the greatest number of different materials.
Procurement
Some products have longer lead times than others.
These may include:
Pergolas
Outdoor kitchens
Specialist paving
Lighting
Specimen trees.
Identifying them early can help protect the construction programme.
Site Access
Before the build starts, consider:
Machinery access
Material deliveries
Waste removal
Tree deliveries.
Restricted access can affect both:
Construction method
Cost.
Project Programme
The programme may include:
Site setup
Demolition
Excavation
Drainage
Foundations
Walls and retaining structures
Paving and steps
Structures
Services
Soil preparation
Planting
Snagging.
The exact order will vary according to the project.
Weather and Landscaping
Outdoor construction is affected by:
Rain
Frost
Ground conditions.
A project programme should therefore allow for the realities of working outside.
Variations During the Build
Changes may occur because:
The client changes the brief
Hidden site conditions are discovered
A material becomes unavailable.
Where possible, variations should be understood in terms of:
Scope
Cost
Programme
before work proceeds.
Unexpected Site Conditions
Excavation may reveal:
Old concrete
Rubble
Drainage
Unknown structures
Poor ground.
A well-managed project should assess these conditions and determine the appropriate response.
Snagging
Near completion, the project should be reviewed for:
Outstanding items
Finishes
Adjustments
Cleaning.
Snagging provides a defined process for completing remaining details.
Plant Establishment
New planting needs time to establish.
The garden will continue developing long after the construction team has finished.
Trees, hedges and borders will gradually:
Fill out
Mature
Soften the hard landscape.
Can Garden Design and Build Be Phased?
Yes.
For larger projects, phasing can be a sensible way to manage:
Budget
Timing
Disruption.
However, the whole garden should ideally be designed before the first phase begins.
Why Design the Whole Garden Before Building in Phases?
Without an overall masterplan, early decisions can restrict later opportunities.
For example:
A patio may be built where a future structure needs foundations.
A tree may be planted over a future service route.
A complete design helps prevent those conflicts.
Choosing a Garden Designer and Landscaper
Whether you appoint one integrated company or separate professionals, assess both:
Design capability
Construction capability.
A beautiful concept is not enough if the construction lacks quality.
Likewise, excellent workmanship cannot compensate for a weak layout.
How to Choose a Garden Designer
Our How to Choose a Garden Designer page explores:
Portfolio
Experience
Process
Fees.
Questions to Ask a Garden Designer
Before appointment, see Questions to Ask a Garden Designer.
The page covers:
Design process
Drawings
Budget
Planting
Construction.
How to Choose a Landscaping Company
Our How to Choose a Landscaping Company page explores:
Experience
Quotations
Contracts
Organisation
Workmanship.
Questions to Ask a Landscaper
Our Questions to Ask a Landscaper page provides a comprehensive pre-appointment checklist.
Warning Signs When Choosing a Landscaper
Potential concerns may include:
Vague quotations
Poor communication
Unclear responsibilities
Unrealistic promises.
Our Warning Signs When Choosing a Landscaper page explores these in much more detail.
Do I Need Planning Permission?
Many routine landscaping projects may not require a separate planning application.
However, additional consideration may be required for work involving:
Significant level changes
Raised structures
Boundaries
Protected trees
Listed properties.
Our Do I Need Planning Permission to Landscape My Garden? page provides broader guidance.
How Far in Advance Should I Book a Garden Designer?
A substantial garden takes time to develop properly.
Our How Far in Advance Should I Book a Garden Designer? page explores when to begin.
How Far in Advance Should I Book a Landscaper?
For the construction stage, see How Far in Advance Should I Book a Landscaper?.
For significant projects, it is generally better to plan months rather than weeks ahead.
Garden Design and Build in North West England
Gardens across North West England need to respond to real regional conditions.
These can include:
High rainfall
Heavy clay
Exposed sites
Mature landscapes
Restricted urban access.
Our design-and-build approach considers those site conditions from the beginning.
Garden Design and Build in Lancashire
Lancashire gardens range from:
Urban properties
Village homes
Rural houses
Large country landscapes.
The design may need to respond to:
Clay soil
Rainfall
Exposure
Views.
Garden Design and Build in Cheshire
Cheshire projects frequently combine:
Contemporary extensions
Outdoor kitchens
Pergolas
Large terraces
Mature planting.
A coordinated design-and-build process helps connect these elements into one garden.
Garden Design and Build in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester gardens often face:
Overlooking
Limited access
Neighbouring buildings.
Careful:
Layout
Screening
Tree planting
Outdoor-living design
can create greater privacy.
Garden Design and Build in Merseyside
Merseyside includes:
Period properties
Family gardens
Coastal locations.
The design and planting should respond to the particular site.
Garden Design and Build in the Ribble Valley
Ribble Valley gardens may involve:
Larger plots
Rural views
Slopes
Exposure.
A successful design can create stronger structure around the house while allowing the garden to become softer further into the landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does garden design and build mean?
It means combining professional garden design with the physical landscape construction required to deliver the finished garden.
Is garden design and build different from landscaping?
Yes. Landscaping is primarily the construction stage. Garden design and build combines the design and construction processes.
Do I need both a garden designer and a landscaper?
For substantial projects, both design and construction expertise are often valuable. They may be provided separately or through one coordinated service.
What does a garden design and build project include?
It may include design, drawings, groundworks, drainage, paving, walls, steps, planting and specialist garden features depending on the project.
Can the design include planting?
Yes. See Planting Design.
Does the build include soft landscaping?
It can. See Soft Landscaping.
Does it include hard landscaping?
It can. See Hard Landscaping.
Does it include drainage?
Where required, drainage can form part of the landscape construction.
Can the garden include an outdoor kitchen?
Yes.
Can it include a pergola?
Yes.
Can it include lighting?
Yes. Lighting should ideally be considered early so infrastructure can be installed during construction.
Can you design and build a sloping garden?
Yes. See Sloping Gardens.
Can you design and build a new-build garden?
Yes. See New-Build Gardens.
Can you redesign a garden after an extension?
Yes. See Garden Design After House Extension.
Can you design an accessible garden?
Yes. Accessibility can be integrated from the design stage.
Can existing trees be retained?
Yes, where they are appropriate to the design and can be protected throughout construction.
Do I need drawings?
For larger projects, drawings can provide a much clearer basis for construction and pricing. See Do I Need Drawings for My Garden?.
How much does garden design and build cost?
The total cost depends on garden size, access, groundworks, materials, planting and features. See How Much Does Landscaping Cost?.
How much does the design stage cost?
See How Much Does Garden Design Cost?.
Can the project be completed in phases?
Yes. Ideally, develop the complete design first and phase construction from that overall plan.
How far ahead should I start?
For larger projects, the design and landscaping process should generally begin months rather than weeks before the preferred completion date.
Good Garden Design and Good Landscaping Need Each Other
A garden can fail in two very different ways.
It can be:
beautifully designed but badly built.
Or it can be:
beautifully built but poorly designed.
Neither is enough.
The best gardens depend on the connection between the two.
The:
layout should work before construction begins
levels should be properly resolved
drainage should be considered
materials should be coordinated
planting should form part of the design
landscape team should understand the design intent
finished garden should reflect the original idea.
At Kirman Design, our approach brings together:
garden designers + landscape construction + planting + project coordination.
The result is a clearer journey from:
initial ideas
through:
design and planning
to:
the finished garden.
If you are looking for professional garden design and build in Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, the Ribble Valley or elsewhere across North West England, Kirman Design can take your project from initial consultation through garden design, landscaping, planting and completion.