And now for the bad news, what your project is going to cost ...
Realistic budgets
Unfortunately many of the garden make-over programmes on TV have given unrealistic estimate of the total cost. Contractors costs are typically 50% materials and 50% labour, but on TV there is no allowance for the labour cost. Assuming you're not planning on attending an evening class on brick-laying, paving and fencing followed by regular sessions in the gym to build up the required strength, labour costs need paying for. Other costs that could be overlooked are a planting plan which requires knowledge of plants and their suitability, and last but not least, a design fee.
The total cost will depend in the size of the site, the materials chosen, preparation work and access. The minimum budget for a project would be about £3,000. Below this I cannot take on the entire project. You could manage the project yourself and buy in resources, such as design, on an hourly basis (see below).
For £3,000 you could get a design, some help from a contractor with the structural work, some planting suggestions and plants. You would probably need to do some of the work yourself and the hard works (walls, paving etc) would be minimal.
A more realistic budget would be £6,000. This would allow a reasonable amount of paving, paths, fencing together with a planting plan and help sourcing the plants. It might even include a small pond or water feature.
Once the size of the project increases (say a typical suburban back garden 6x20m) and terrace of York stone and full sized pond then the cost would be £10,000 and upwards.
Gardens are enjoyed for free during the day but on summer evenings lighting gives an extra dimension, and in winter much pleasure can be derived from a well designed and lit garden from the comfort of indoors. Good lighting is not cheap - £1,000 would cover the material cost of an armoured cable ring, junction boxes and say 10 lights.
My fees are typically:
£450 for a small garden
£650 for a medium size
£950 for a large garden
this includes the survey, draft plan, detailed plan & construction drawing. A planting plan is charged separatelyand costs from £150 depending on the amount of planting.
Travel costs
I also do consultations for £45/hour plus £15/hour travelling time.
Where I work
I live in South-West London near Hampton Court. I am prepared to travel North London ( recent jobs in Southgate & Stoke Newington). It is easy for me to get out into Surrey or down the M3 into Berkshire. Within one hour's drive is my preferred location.
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