HP Garden Design

How to find the right garden designer for your project?

Engaging a design professional can be a daunting prospect if you’ve never done it before. 

So, how can you maximise your chances of choosing the right one to work with you to help create your dream garden space?

It's going to depend a little on what your dream space looks like (or, if you don't know, to understand what the important things are going to be for you - wildlife, family friendly, clean minimalism or plants, plants, plants?)

You’re also going to be spending time with and / or talking to them a lot over the lifespan of the project and it’s important you’re on the same page when it comes to approach.

When I moved out of London about 14 years ago, I wasn’t a garden designer. My husband and I had moved from a one bed, first floor flat in London to a partially-completed barn conversion project in a rural village with 2 acres of mud, docks and nettles.

We’d wanted a project and that’s exactly what we had. However, instead of taking a breath and listening to myself and treating the garden as wonderful part of the jigsaw that didn’t have to be fixed there and then, I panicked. 

I phoned a local (well known) designer to see what first steps in engaging her might be. The call was not what I would have hoped for and I put the phone down feeling small and a bit silly to have bothered her.

It was a moment I reflected on considerably when I came to start my own design practice.

We have access to all the information at our finger tips these days so, what would I consider if I was looking for someone now?:

Not all designers have necessarily been to ‘design college’ and not all have taken RHS exams. Many have gained their knowledge and experience in a practical context over time. Equally, there are lots that have one of the many professional qualifications out there currently without necessarily having lots of practical experience. There are also lots of people that have all of the above.

Understanding the designers ‘how I got here’ is a starting point and, personally, it would be of interest. However, I would also look for examples of their previous work both in design and having been built as an indication of experience, style and approach to visually communicating their ideas rather than obsess about what certificate they got from where.

Most things can be learnt, not everything can be taught.

Professional Accreditation:

The garden design industry is not currently regulated in terms of qualifications needed to be a 'professional designer' although, I do think may change at some point. However, there are professional bodies such as the APL (Association of Professional Landscapers*) and the SGD (Society of Garden Designers) which designers can apply to for accreditation to show their commitment to professional standards and an agreed Code of Practice.

As an APL accredited designer myself, it’s a sign I have gone through a certain process to have my work recognised by a professional body but, I also know there are also good designers who choose not to do this.

Word on the street:

Reviews and testimonials: Access to written feedback is instant these days and while I would definitely have a look at these I'd also consider word of mouth and personal referrals (especially where you can go and see the designers previous work in real life) to be more insightful.

If you get chance to, ask lots of questions and get to understand the clients experience of the designers approach as well as the end result. 

Feel Appeal:

Website and social media accounts: This is a virtual shop window so, if you like the way the designer and their process comes across, you like the look of their previous work and generally get professional and / or a warm, fuzzy vibes, it’s all good information.

Does the way they talk about their process resonate with you? Do you recognise similar challenges and aspirations from the projects included? 

Ultimately, you're looking for someone who gets where you're coming from and understands any challenges you're looking to overcome and will get your project from A-B in an organised, professional and, ultimately enjoyable, manner.

So, I would say if you feel like you’d want to have a conversation with the designer after having read what’s written there, all good.

Make Your Move:

All the above are the preliminaries. 

Making contact and having an initial conversation to discuss what you’re looking to achieve** and the designers suggested approach is the next step. If you end the conversation excited at the prospect of hearing more about how you can work together, it’s a good sign.

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*More about the APL and the accreditation process can be found here:

**During this conversation you should reasonably expect to have a discussion around your budget to ensure that your expectations are realistic taking into account the size of your space and the length of your wish list. Some designers also have a minimum budget they are prepared to work with (often included on their websites).