- Home
- Garden design costs
Garden design costs · Bristol & Bath
How much does a garden designer cost?
The honest answer is that it depends on the garden: every project is priced individually. Here are the starting points, how my fees work and what drives the cost of a project, so you can see whether we're a good fit before we talk.
At a glance
| Service | What you get | Typical investment | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Design Day | A day on site together and a written plan | £500 | Smaller budgets, getting started |
| Planting Design | Planting plan, plant sourcing and planting | From £500 for smaller areas, plus plants | Gardens with good bones and tired borders |
| Garden Design | The full process, from concept to build monitoring | Priced on scope and complexity | Whole-garden transformations, renovations |
| Garden Stewardship | Ongoing garden care by the designer | £450 a day (two gardeners, waste removal included) | Busy owners in Bristol, Bath & surrounds |
How design fees work
Paid in clear stages
The detail is what turns a landscaped garden into a designed one. Paving, materials and planting create the atmosphere, and getting them right on paper saves money on site and pays off for years.
Concept & masterplan
From around £2,000 depending on size and complexity. We agree the fee first and a 50% deposit starts the work.
Detailed drawings
Priced once the scope and complexity are agreed, usually starting at around the same as the masterplan stage.
Tendering & monitoring
A separate fee covers managing the tender and monitoring the build, typically three to six site visits.
How long it takes
Start the journey early
The best results come from bringing a designer in at the start and keeping them involved to the finish, especially alongside a renovation.
Concept & masterplan
Four weeks to three months, depending on size and scope.
Technical drawings
About the same again: the landscaper pack that gets priced and built.
The build
A month or more, depending on the garden. Planting is best done in autumn.
What affects the cost
Why no two gardens cost the same
Size & access
Bigger gardens cost more to build, and tricky access (through the house, up steps) adds labour.
Levels & groundworks
Changing levels, retaining walls and drainage are often the biggest hidden costs.
Materials
Natural stone, reclaimed brick and bespoke timber cost more than standard products, but age far better.
Built features
Garden offices, ponds, outdoor kitchens, lighting and water all add to the build.
Planting
Larger, more mature plants give instant impact. Smaller plants cost less and settle in quickly.
Site sensitivity
Listed buildings, conservation areas and National Landscapes can add planning time and specialist input.
Where your money goes
Why design pays for itself
A garden project usually has four parts: the design fees, the build (paid directly to your landscaper), the planting and, if you'd like it, ongoing care.
A detailed design means every landscaper prices the same drawings, so you can compare quotes properly. Plants chosen for your soil and light survive, so you aren't replacing failures. And if you're renovating, designing the garden alongside the house avoids paying to undo work later.
Not sure where your budget fits? Take the quiz below or book a free discovery call and we'll talk it through.
Is the first conversation free?
Yes. The discovery call is free and there's no obligation. It's the best way to find out whether we're a good fit and what your budget could achieve.
Do you work with budgets under £10k?
Yes. A Garden Design Day gives you a clear plan to work from, and Planting Design can transform a garden without a full redesign.
Is the design fee included in the build cost?
No. The design fee is separate from what you pay your landscaper for the build. We agree the concept and masterplan fee first, with a 50% deposit to start, then price the detailed drawings once the scope is clear.
How long does a garden design take?
The concept and masterplan take four weeks to three months, and the technical drawings about the same again, depending on size and scope. Builds take a month or more, and planting is best in autumn.
Can I spread the cost?
Yes. Many gardens are designed as a whole and then built in phases, so you can spread the investment over time while working to one plan.
Why not just hire a landscaper?
You can, but a design gives every landscaper the same drawings to price, so you get like-for-like quotes. Plants chosen for your conditions survive, and designing alongside a renovation avoids paying to undo work later.
Let's talk about your garden
A free, no-pressure conversation about your garden, your plans and your budget.