what We Do
We understand that every garden is unique and so are your requirements. At Rachel Platt Garden Design we encourage you to call us initially to see how best we can help you.
Find out what we offer below and please don't hesitate to get in touch to discuss your options further.
garden Design
Are you after a beautiful, well-designed garden you are proud of? If so, choosing to get your garden designed by us is the best option for you.
We believe that no two gardens are the same and therefore there is not a 'one size that fits all' process. However, we thought we would share with you our typical working process, so you are able to see how your timeline may look.
To start your journey, book a discovery session with us.
discovery
Having had a discovery session, an initial site visit is conducted to discuss your specific requirements, assess any challenges presented, make some initial recommendations and decide how to best survey the garden. Assuming you would like to proceed with the design, a design fee proposal and a detailed brief is agreed in writing and arrangements are made to have the garden surveyed and photographed for the following stage.
creating the vision
Using the survey, we turn your brief into reality, creating a 2D top down plan of the proposed design, 3D visuals so you can see how your new garden will look and mood boards to support the concept. We have a 50% stage meeting and one further meeting to discuss your thoughts and sign off the design before stating the next stage.
After the vision has been reviewed and any revisions have taken place, if the garden requires planning permission, we can assist with the submission of documentation.
turning the vision into buildable plans
Arguably the most important stage of the design process - once the vision has been approved, we refine the details and provide a full set of technical plans (dimensions, drainage, lighting, irrigation etc.) as well as a planting plan so that any contractor will be able to set out and build the design from start to finish without assumptions, giving you confidence that your investment will be built correctly.
The technical plans can also include sculptures, furniture and any other detail you would like included in the design. An additional service after the creation of technical plans is a specification document which provides you the option to take your designs to tender using only reliable and reputable local landscapers.
Bringing it to life
To ensure the garden is built to the design vision and progresses without delays, we can arrange regular site visits during the construction to inspect the works and answer questions.
We can also source and supply the plants, as specified, from reputable nurseries. If sourcing plants, we will attend the delivery, checking their quality on arrival, position them and plant on site, making the process hassle-free for you as well as ensuring they are planted with care, in the right location to guarantee your garden the best start in life. With this service we offer a free maintenance guide on completion.
In addition, we also offer outdoor furniture supply.
PLANTING Design
Do you have a border that requires some restoration or colour? Then the planting design service is for you.
We will arrange a site visit with you where we take photographs, check the aspect, take a soil sample if required and decide how to best survey the beds you would like adjusting. We also discuss your likes, dislikes and any initial advice as to plant selection.
Assuming you would like to proceed with the design, a fee proposal and a brief is agreed in writing and arrangements are made to have the garden surveyed. Following on from this a scaled planting plan will be drawn up for you including aspect, existing plants and new plants with labels and quantities with supporting mood boards.
We can include the sourcing, setting out and planting and if sourcing, a maintenance guide on completion. Choosing us to source, layout and plant makes the process very easy and hassle-free for you as we can ensure only good quality plants from reputable local nurseries are chosen and are planted with care, in the right location to guarantee your garden the best start in life.
Garden Consultation
If you have design ideas yourself, or would like expertise on furniture and sculpture sourcing to hedging, planting and fencing recommendations (even locations for features such as swimming pools and tennis courts) and would like to talk through your ideas, then the consultancy service is for you.
With the consultancy service, we will arrange a site visit with you. During this site visit, we walk around the garden together so that you can discuss your plans and ideas and receive advice on implementation and potential challenges. We will take notes and photographs and use this as the basis for our report.
After the site visit, we write up a report with our findings and recommendations based on your requirements including photographs where necessary.
Remote consultations are available.
If you have a project in mind, please get in touch to discover how we can help.
Following that should you wish, we will arrange a site visit to talk with you in more detail about the project and to establish an estimate for the work.
We are knowledgeable, honest and happy to help.