Garden Design Cost | How Much Does Garden Design Cost in the UK?
How much does garden design cost? Explore professional garden design fees, what is included, pricing structures and how design costs relate to landscaping with Kirman Design.
Garden Design Cost
One of the first questions homeowners ask when considering professional garden design is:
How much does garden design cost?
The answer depends on the:
Size of the garden
Complexity of the site
Level of design required
Number of drawings
Planting design
Lighting design
Construction information
Amount of technical coordination involved.
A relatively simple garden design may require a much smaller amount of work than a complex landscape containing:
Multiple levels
Retaining walls
Outdoor kitchens
Pergolas
Water features
Lighting
Mature trees
Bespoke structures.
Kirman Design provides bespoke garden design throughout North West England, including Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the Ribble Valley.
The better question is therefore not:
What is the standard cost of garden design?
It is:
What design work does this particular garden actually require?
How Much Does Garden Design Cost?
There is no single fixed figure that applies to every project.
Garden design fees may be based on:
Fixed fees
Staged fees
Hourly rates
Daily rates
Percentage-based arrangements.
The method used depends on the designer and the scope of work.
What Is Included in Garden Design Cost?
Professional garden design can include:
Initial consultation
Site survey
Client brief
Concept design
Masterplan
Levels
Materials
Planting design
Lighting design
Construction detailing
Specification
Coordination with landscape contractors.
Not every project requires every stage.
Garden Design Cost Versus Landscaping Cost
Our Landscaping Cost page explores the physical cost of constructing a garden.
Garden design cost is separate.
It covers the professional work involved in deciding:
What should be built
Where it should go
How the garden should function
How the planting should work
How the landscape should relate to the house.
Garden Design Cost Versus Garden Transformation Cost
Our Garden Transformation Cost page explores the total cost of substantially rebuilding a garden.
Garden design is one component of that wider investment.
Garden Design Cost Versus Luxury Garden Cost
Our Luxury Garden Cost page explores high-end landscape budgets.
Luxury gardens often require more design time because they may include:
Complex detailing
Bespoke structures
Large-scale planting
Outdoor kitchens
Lighting
Water
Multiple outdoor rooms.
How Much Does a Garden Designer Charge?
Our How Much Does a Garden Designer Charge? page explores professional fee structures in more detail.
A garden designer may charge for:
Consultation
Concept design
Full design
Planting design
Technical drawings
Site visits.
What Affects Garden Design Cost?
Several factors influence the amount of professional design work required.
Garden Size
Larger gardens can require more:
Surveying
Planning
Zoning
Planting
Detailing.
But garden size alone does not determine the fee.
Design Complexity
A relatively flat garden with one terrace and simple planting may be less complex than a smaller garden containing:
Several levels
Retaining walls
Steps
Outdoor kitchen
Water feature
Lighting.
Existing Site Conditions
The designer may need to resolve:
Poor drainage
Awkward levels
Overlooking
Existing trees
Difficult boundaries.
The more complex the site, the more design input may be required.
Number of Garden Features
A project containing:
Outdoor kitchen
Pergola
Fire pit
Hot tub
Water feature
Garden lighting
will usually require more coordination than a simpler landscape.
Level of Detail
A concept-only design is different from a complete package containing:
Construction drawings
Levels
Sections
Details
Specifications.
Does Garden Design Cost More for Sloping Gardens?
It can.
Our Sloping Garden Ideas page explores sloping sites.
Slopes can require additional design work around:
Terracing
Retaining walls
Steps
Drainage
Levels.
Garden Levels and Design Fees
Our Garden Levelling page explores the impact of level changes.
Where levels are complex, the design may need more technical information to ensure the landscape can be constructed accurately.
Retaining Walls and Garden Design
Our Garden Retaining Walls page explores retaining structures.
These may require coordination between:
Garden designer
Landscaper
Structural specialist
depending on the project.
Garden Steps and Design Cost
Our Garden Steps page explores step design.
Steps can require detailed thought around:
Levels
Widths
Materials
Sightlines
Lighting.
Drainage and Garden Design Cost
Drainage may form part of the design process.
Our Garden Drainage Installation page explores drainage solutions.
The designer may need to consider:
Water movement
Patio falls
Slopes
Low points
Soil conditions.
Garden Design After a House Extension
Our Garden Design After a House Extension page explores gardens altered by building work.
These projects can require additional design around:
New levels
New doors
New views
Patio relationships
Drainage.
Garden Design for New Extensions
Our Garden Design for New Extensions page explores designing the garden earlier in the building process.
This can allow better coordination of:
Thresholds
Services
Drainage
Outdoor kitchens
Lighting.
Indoor Outdoor Garden Design Costs
Our Indoor Outdoor Garden Design page explores the relationship between house and garden.
These projects may require careful design of:
Levels
Sightlines
Paving
Planting
Glazed doors.
Planting Design Costs
Planting design may be a separate or integrated part of the overall design fee.
Our Garden Planting Ideas page explores planting design.
A planting plan may include:
Trees
Shrubs
Perennials
Grasses
Hedging
Groundcover.
Why Planting Design Takes Time
Plant selection must consider:
Soil
Aspect
Shade
Exposure
Maintenance
Seasonal interest
Mature size.
It is not simply a list of attractive plants.
Garden Lighting Design Costs
Our Garden Lighting Ideas page explores lighting.
Lighting design may require:
Fixture positions
Cable routes
Controls
Integration with planting
Coordination with construction.
Outdoor Kitchen Design Costs
Our Garden Design Around an Outdoor Kitchen page explores outdoor kitchens.
Design work may need to coordinate:
Cooking
Dining
Seating
Services
Pergolas
Lighting.
Pergola Design Costs
Pergolas may need to be considered as part of the wider landscape.
Our Pergola Ideas page explores pergola design.
The designer may need to resolve:
Position
Scale
Sightlines
Shade
Privacy.
Water Feature Design Costs
Our Garden Water Feature Ideas page explores water.
Bespoke water may require more detailed design around:
Structure
Levels
Position
Visual effect
Relationship with planting.
Fire Feature Design Costs
Our Garden Design Around a Fire Pit page explores fire areas.
Fire features may need to be designed around:
Seating
Safety
Circulation
Views
Lighting.
Hot Tub Garden Design Costs
Our Garden Design Around a Hot Tub page explores hot-tub integration.
Design work may consider:
Privacy
Access
Levels
Service access
Planting
Lighting.
Swimming Pool Garden Design Costs
Our Garden Design Around a Swimming Pool page explores pool landscapes.
These can require substantial design input around:
Terraces
Privacy
Planting
Lighting
Outdoor living
Circulation.
Small Garden Design Costs
Our Small Garden Design page explores compact gardens.
Small gardens are not necessarily simple.
Because every square metre matters, the design may require very careful:
Layout
Storage
Privacy
Circulation.
Medium Sized Garden Design Costs
Our Medium Sized Garden Design page explores typical residential plots.
These gardens can often include:
Main terrace
Lawn
Planting
Trees
Secondary seating.
Large Garden Design Costs
Our Large Garden Design page explores substantial landscapes.
Larger plots may require:
Masterplanning
Zoning
Tree strategy
Paths
Multiple outdoor rooms
Phasing.
Half-Acre Garden Design Costs
Our Garden Design for Half an Acre page explores substantial plots.
At this scale, design becomes increasingly about:
Hierarchy
Movement
Planting mass
Landscape structure.
Acre Garden Design Costs
Our Garden Design for an Acre page explores acre-sized gardens.
The designer may need to consider:
Formal areas
Informal landscape
Trees
Meadow
Orchard
Multiple destinations.
Very Large Garden Design Costs
Our Very Large Garden Design page explores estate-scale landscapes.
These projects can move closer to landscape masterplanning.
Garden Design for Country Gardens
Our Garden Design for Country Gardens page explores rural properties.
Design may need to respond to:
Countryside views
Mature trees
Existing hedges
Naturalistic planting
Large lawns.
Garden Design for Country Houses
Our Garden Design for Country Houses page explores larger rural homes.
Design costs may increase where the landscape includes:
Formal terraces
Long views
Multiple garden areas
Large-scale planting.
Garden Design for Period Properties
Our Garden Design for Period Properties page explores older homes.
Design may need to balance:
Contemporary use
Historical architecture
Materials
Existing mature landscape.
Garden Design for Contemporary Houses
Our Garden Design for Contemporary Houses page explores contemporary architecture.
These gardens may require strong coordination between:
Building lines
Glazing
Terraces
Planting
Lighting.
Garden Design for Modern Homes
Our Garden Design for Modern Homes page explores modern properties.
Clean architectural relationships can require particularly careful detailing.
Garden Design for New Build Homes
Our Garden Design for New Build Homes page explores new-build gardens.
These can require design around:
Privacy
Exposure
Limited maturity
Poor initial landscaping.
Garden Design for Long Narrow Gardens
Our Long Narrow Garden Design page explores long plots.
The design may need to resolve:
Perspective
Corridor effect
Zoning
Views.
Garden Design for Wide Gardens
Our Wide Garden Design page explores broad plots.
These gardens may require additional thought around:
Depth
Focal points
Side-to-side structure.
Garden Design for Corner Plots
Our Corner Plot Garden Design page explores corner properties.
These can require careful planning around:
Multiple boundaries
Privacy
Access
Public-facing views.
Luxury Garden Design Costs
Our Luxury Garden Cost page explores premium landscapes.
Luxury projects often require more detailed design because of the number of:
Materials
Interfaces
Bespoke features
Specialist elements.
Luxury Outdoor Living Design Costs
Our Luxury Outdoor Living page explores premium outdoor spaces.
A luxury outdoor-living garden may include:
Outdoor kitchen
Pergola
Dining
Lounge
Fire
Water
Lighting.
The more integrated the scheme becomes, the more design coordination is usually required.
What Is a Concept Garden Design?
A concept design establishes the broad layout and design direction.
It may show:
Main terraces
Lawn
Planting
Paths
Trees
Key features.
It may not contain all the detailed information required for construction.
What Is a Full Garden Design?
A more complete design service may include:
Detailed masterplan
Levels
Materials
Planting
Lighting
Construction information.
This usually costs more because substantially more work is involved.
What Is a Garden Masterplan?
A masterplan provides the overall design framework.
It shows how:
House
Terrace
Paths
Lawn
Planting
Trees
Structures
Features
relate to one another.
For larger gardens, this can be especially valuable.
What Are Construction Drawings?
Construction drawings can communicate how particular landscape elements should be built.
They may include:
Dimensions
Levels
Sections
Materials
Details.
These are different from attractive concept illustrations.
Does Garden Design Include Planting Plans?
It depends on the service.
Planting design may be:
Included
Optional
Separately priced.
Always establish the exact scope.
Does Garden Design Include Lighting?
Not always.
Lighting may require additional design and coordination.
Does Garden Design Include Project Management?
Not necessarily.
Garden design and project management are different services.
Some projects may include:
Site visits
Contractor coordination
Construction reviews
as additional stages.
Does Garden Design Include Landscaping?
No.
Garden design is the professional design service.
Landscaping is the physical construction.
Our Complete Garden Landscaping page explores the construction side.
Garden Design Only Services
Our Garden Design Only Service page explores design without construction.
This may suit clients who:
Already have a landscaper
Intend to tender the project
Plan to build in stages.
Garden Design and Build
Our Complete Garden Design and Build page explores an integrated approach.
This can reduce the separation between:
Designer
Construction team.
Garden Design Consultation Costs
Our Garden Design Consultation page explores consultation services.
A consultation may be appropriate where a client requires:
Professional direction
Ideas
Early-stage advice
rather than a complete design package.
Is Professional Garden Design Worth the Cost?
Our Is a Garden Designer Worth It? page explores this question.
The value of professional design is not simply the drawings.
It can influence:
How the garden works
How money is allocated
How construction is sequenced
How mature the finished landscape feels.
Do I Need a Garden Designer?
Our Do I Need a Garden Designer? page explores when professional design may be worthwhile.
Design is particularly valuable where the project involves:
Significant budget
Complex levels
Several garden areas
Extensions
Outdoor living
Large-scale planting.
When Should I Hire a Garden Designer?
Our When Should I Hire a Garden Designer? page explores timing.
In many cases, the earlier the designer becomes involved, the more opportunities there are to coordinate:
Architecture
Levels
Drainage
Services
Views.
Why Cheap Garden Design Can Become Expensive
A poorly considered layout can lead to:
Oversized patios
Wrong levels
Misplaced features
Poor circulation
Inadequate privacy
Rework.
Saving money on design may not save money overall.
Garden Design Should Control the Construction Budget
A strong design helps answer:
Where should the budget be concentrated?
Which existing features should stay?
How much paving is genuinely required?
Which trees are most important?
Which features can be phased?
This makes the subsequent landscaping budget easier to manage.
Can Garden Design Reduce Landscaping Cost?
It can help prevent unnecessary spending.
For example:
Reducing excessive paving
Retaining useful existing trees
Simplifying levels
Avoiding duplicate features
Planning services early.
The purpose is not necessarily to make the project cheap.
It is to make the investment deliberate.
Can Garden Design Be Phased?
Yes.
A complete masterplan can be prepared even if the garden will be built over several years.
This can help prevent future phases from conflicting with earlier work.
Is Garden Design Cost Based on Garden Size?
Sometimes partly.
But size alone is not enough.
A small garden with:
Complex levels
Bespoke features
Outdoor kitchen
Lighting
may require more design work than a much larger simple garden.
Is Garden Design Cost Based on Landscaping Budget?
Some designers may structure fees partly around total project value.
Others use fixed or staged fees.
Always establish the exact basis of the quotation.
Should I Tell My Garden Designer My Budget?
Yes.
A realistic budget helps the designer develop a scheme with an appropriate:
Scale
Specification
Level of maturity.
Without one, the design risks becoming disconnected from what can realistically be built.
What Should a Garden Design Quote Include?
A professional quotation should clearly explain:
Scope
Deliverables
Number of stages
Revisions
Planting design
Lighting design
Technical drawings
Site visits
Additional fees.
Compare Garden Design Quotes Carefully
Do not compare only the headline fee.
One quote may include:
Concept only.
Another may include:
Masterplan
Planting
Technical detailing
Site involvement.
The services may not be comparable.
Compare Scope, Not Just Price
The right comparison is:
What work is being provided for the fee?
rather than:
Which designer is cheapest?
How Much Should I Spend on Garden Design?
There is no universal percentage or figure that works for every project.
The appropriate design investment should reflect:
Project scale
Complexity
Landscaping budget
Required level of detail.
For substantial projects, professional design should be viewed as part of the total landscape investment.
Garden Design Costs in North West England
Kirman Design provides professional garden design throughout North West England.
Local site conditions can influence the amount of design work required.
Garden Design Costs in Lancashire
Lancashire gardens may require particular attention to:
Rainfall
Heavy soils
Drainage
Exposure
Slopes.
Larger rural gardens may also require more extensive:
Tree strategies
Planting
Masterplanning.
Garden Design Costs in Cheshire
Cheshire projects can range from standard residential gardens to substantial high-end landscapes.
These may include:
Outdoor kitchens
Pergolas
Pools
Mature trees
Lighting.
Garden Design Costs in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester gardens may require careful design around:
Privacy
Overlooking
Restricted plots
Extensions
Neighbouring buildings.
Garden Design Costs in Merseyside
Exposed gardens may require greater thought around:
Shelter
Wind
Tree selection
Screening.
Garden Design Costs in the Ribble Valley
Ribble Valley properties may involve larger gardens and stronger connections with the wider landscape.
The design may need to balance:
Formal areas near the house
Trees
Lawns
Planting
Countryside views.
Typical Garden Design Process
A full garden design project may include:
Initial consultation
Client brief
Site survey
Site analysis
Concept development
Masterplan
Design revisions
Materials
Levels
Planting design
Lighting design
Technical information
Construction coordination
The precise scope depends on the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does garden design cost?
There is no single fixed price. Garden design cost depends on garden size, complexity, level of detail and the services required.
What is included in a garden design fee?
It may include consultation, survey, concept design, masterplan, planting design, lighting design and construction information.
Is garden design separate from landscaping?
Yes. Garden design is the professional planning and design service. Landscaping is the physical construction.
Does a garden designer charge by the hour?
Some do. Others use fixed fees, staged fees or percentage-based pricing.
Does garden size affect the design fee?
Usually, but complexity can be just as important.
Is a small garden cheap to design?
Not necessarily. Compact gardens can require very detailed planning because space is limited.
Is a sloping garden more expensive to design?
It can be, particularly if levels, retaining walls and drainage require additional technical work.
Does planting design cost extra?
It depends on the designer and service package.
Does garden lighting design cost extra?
It may. Lighting design is often a separate specialist stage.
Are technical drawings included?
Not always. Some design packages include concept drawings only, while others include detailed construction information.
Should I hire a garden designer before a house extension is complete?
Ideally, the garden should be considered as early as possible so levels, views and services can be coordinated.
Can I pay for garden design without using the same company for landscaping?
Yes. A design-only service can allow the project to be tendered or built by another contractor.
Can a garden design be built in phases?
Yes. A complete masterplan can be developed before construction is phased.
Does professional garden design save money?
It can help avoid unnecessary work, misplaced features and poor sequencing, although its main purpose is to improve the quality and coherence of the finished landscape.
Should I tell the designer my landscaping budget?
Yes. Budget is an important design parameter.
How do I compare garden design quotes?
Compare scope, deliverables, technical detail, planting work, site involvement and revisions rather than only the total fee.
Is professional garden design worth it for a large landscaping project?
For substantial projects, professional design can help coordinate levels, materials, planting, lighting, structures and budget before construction begins.
What is the difference between a concept design and a full design?
A concept establishes the broad direction. A full design may include detailed layouts, levels, planting and technical information.
Does Kirman Design provide garden design across North West England?
Yes. Kirman Design provides bespoke professional garden design throughout North West England, including Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the Ribble Valley.
Garden Design Cost Should Be Viewed in the Context of the Whole Garden
Garden design is easy to think of as a separate fee before the "real" landscaping begins.
But on a substantial project, the design determines much of what follows.
It decides:
How large the patio should be
Whether levels need changing
Where drainage matters
Which existing trees should remain
Where privacy should be created
How people move through the garden
Where outdoor living should happen
How much planting is needed
Which features deserve investment
Which elements can be simplified.
Those decisions can influence a construction budget far larger than the design fee itself.
The important questions are therefore:
What level of design does the project require?
How complex is the site?
What drawings will the landscaper need?
Does the garden require detailed planting?
Will lighting be incorporated?
Are there significant level changes?
Are there bespoke structures?
And what level of involvement is required once construction begins?
Once the scope is clear, the garden design cost becomes much easier to assess.
The aim should not be to find the cheapest set of drawings.
It should be to invest in the level of professional design required to make the wider landscaping investment work properly.
If you are considering professional garden design in North West England, contact Kirman Design to discuss your garden, the design service required and the likely scope of investment.