Gardens are renowned for their positive effects on mental and physical well-being. Few things rival the joy of sipping a morning coffee surrounded by blooming roses and lavender. Gardening is well-documented for enhancing mental health, improving arthritis symptoms, and often prescribed by GPs as a beneficial activity for the elderly and those with limited mobility as an effective exercise programme.
With landscaping and design rates on the rise, creating a beautiful garden has become a significant investment. Have you ever considered how this impacts your property’s value? How does a cohesive design influence the cost of hiring a landscaper? Essentially, how likely are you to see a return on your investment in hiring a professional garden designer?
Let’s begin by setting expectations for design fees based on the estimated final price for the build. On average, garden design fees account for about 10-20% of the total landscaping budget, which includes labour, materials, plants, and waste removal. This percentage tends to be lower for higher-value projects and higher for medium-sized budgets, so for £20,000 to £30,000 garden you can expect the designer fee of 15-20% and for higher value projects may drop to around 10%, reflecting the significantly increased complexity and effort involved for the designer.
However, rather than significantly increasing the cost of revamping your garden, hiring a skilled garden designer and being upfront about your budget ensures that your garden is expertly planned to meet your needs but also mitigates many risks associated with construction work, ultimately paying for itself in the long run, as all parties involved understand their expectations.
I consulted a leading independent property expert and several London-based landscapers to gather their insights on the subject of actual value of well-designed gardens.
Let’s start with the value of your home.
Anthony, who owns Coyle Dowling Estate Agency based in Ealing commented: When selling a property, a well-designed garden can significantly enhance its appeal. A neat, carefully planned garden creates an impression of a well-maintained home and can attract higher offers. Buyers often see gardens as an extension of the living space, which can contribute to a higher perceived value of the property. A garden designed with purpose and quality can make a substantial difference, especially in competitive markets.
And how about the actual cost of the work itself? Interestingly, every professional landscaper I consulted highlighted that when estimating costs for a medium-sized urban garden—encompassing a new patio, adjusted layout, fresh planting, and a new fence—they typically quote 10%-15% higher if the client hasn't provided detailed scaled drawings or remains undecided about key materials such as paving stones, cladding, or fencing. For the trader, even with many years of experience, having clear plans and material decisions from the onset not only streamlines the process but also reduces costs and ensures a more efficient project execution.
According to George from Daizy Gardens, landscaper and horticulturalist with 20 years of experience working in West and North London, working with the garden designer is win/win scenario. ‘Having a ready design significantly streamlines my preparation for the job, as all questions and requirements are clearly outlined in the design pack. This not only reduces my risk but also ensures that the client is fully committed, having already invested in the designer’s services and understanding the associated costs. I typically quote around 10% less for these projects, as I avoid the risk of dedicating hours to creating a quote without a response, which occurs in about 50% of the jobs I quote for. Furthermore, it’s evident that projects involving a garden designer have a higher likelihood of proceeding, with considerably less risk involved.’
Tomasz, the owner of Ealing based building and landscaping company Green Space Building Contractor Ltd shared the following feedback: ‘Having a ready design significantly reduces my risk contingency for the project, as the client has already decided on the layout and materials after discussions with the designer. This means I won’t encounter the risk of last-minute changes that could delay the work. Additionally, it saves me a minimum of three working days, that I would otherwise spend determining materials, before the work even started, presenting options, and showcasing various layouts to the client. I just put my numbers against the specified quantities of the chosen materials that the garden designer has compiled. As a result, I typically quote 10-15% less for projects involving comprehensive designs created by a professional, compared to those where I need to figure everything out on my own.’
‘I typically work on small gardens with modest to medium budgets. A well thought out design greatly enhances these spaces, as the garden designer has already optimised the layout and identified cost-effective solutions. This allows me to commence work swiftly without the need for extensive back-and-forth with clients, since the designer has prepared all the necessary information. I often quote 10% lower for gardens with ready drawings and material specifications as this allows me to finish job quickly and move on to the next project’ says Karol from Garden Spirit, Surrey based landscaper with over 20 years of experience building gardens in West London.
Marcin from Marcin Gardens, serving the Twickenham, Chiswick, and Kingston areas, values the time saved in both before and during the build: ‘Having a professional garden design tailored to a £30K budget allows me to save two days on the estimate preparation. During the construction phase, the potential savings can also be considerable, as the client has already approved the design and has a clear vision of the final outcome. This significantly minimises the risk of changes during the build since all options have been discussed upfront, enabling us to reduce the risk contingency for the project. Overall, I estimate the savings to be between £1,500 and £3,000.’
Just to be clear, if your only goal is to have the patio and fence replaced, hiring a designer may not be the most sensible option and could add unnecessary costs. In such cases, you’re better off directing that design fee towards hiring a more skilled landscaper.
However, if you’re looking to truly enhance your property and create a space that perfectly meets your needs while withstanding the test of time, investing in a service of a garden designer is definitely worth it. This investment will lead to quality results that make you feel truly special in your finished garden, and pay for itself in the long run.
This article could not be created without valuable input and inspiration from the following people:
- Anthony Coyle Dowling https://www.coyledowling.com/
- Tomasz Tarchala https://gsbcontractor.co.uk/
- Marcin Cienkusz https://marcingardens.com/
- George Sorin-Balan https://www.daizygardens.co.uk/ (under construction)
- Karol Kozlowicz www.garden-spirit.co.uk (under construction)
- Denise Quinlan https://insightfulcollective.co.uk/
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