Planning a New Garden? Here’s What It Really Costs
- Harriet Roberts Collins
- 8 hours ago
- 6 min read
If you’ve ever looked out at your garden and felt it could be something more, you’re not alone. A thoughtfully designed outdoor space can completely transform how you use your property, creating somewhere to relax and unwind, entertain guests, grow your own produce, or quite often all of the above. It can also become a haven for nature.
Working with a garden designer can be the key to unlocking your garden’s potential, especially if your space is sloped, awkwardly shaped, or difficult to visualise. In many cases, good design is what makes the difference between a garden that’s simply there and one that is truly used and enjoyed.
But one of the first questions most people ask is simple: how much does garden design actually cost?
The honest answer is — it depends.
Several factors influence the overall cost, so it’s important to understand how garden design is priced before you begin. This helps set realistic expectations and allows you to budget accordingly.
As a general guide, we typically advise clients that the cost of building a garden ranges between £250 and £450 per square metre. This estimate averages higher-cost elements, such as patios, with lower-cost areas like lawns. It does not include specialist features such as complex water features, swimming pools, or outbuildings, which would all be additional costs.
Naturally, this guideline does not apply to every project. Larger sites with extensive meadow planting may result in a lower cost per square metre, while gardens featuring complex designs, premium materials, significant level changes or difficult access conditions are likely to exceed this range.
Design Fees: What to Expect
In most cases, the first cost you’ll encounter is the design fee.
Garden designers typically charge in one of two ways:
As a percentage of the total build cost — usually 10–15%, although this can be higher for smaller projects
By time spent designing — which is the approach we take at Kristina Clode Garden Design
The overall fee varies depending on the scope and complexity of the project. More detailed or technically challenging gardens naturally require more time and expertise, particularly where there are level changes, water features, retaining walls or structural elements involved.
Garden size also has an impact. Put simply, the more space there is to design, the more work is involved. However, larger areas of meadow or seeded prairie planting can sometimes reduce the cost per square metre.
Most garden designers will adapt the scope of the design to suit a client’s budget where possible, which is why discussing the budget openly at the very start of the process is so important.
Design fees are usually broken into stages so costs can be spread throughout the project.
The Design Process
Design Consultation
The first step is a design consultation, carried out at your home and lasting up to three hours.
During this meeting we will:
Walk through the garden with you
Discuss your likes, dislikes and wish list
Explore how you would like to use the space
Assess the site, access and existing conditions
Answer any questions you may have about the design and build process
We’ll also offer initial ideas for developing the garden in line with the budget you have available.
Following the consultation, we produce a detailed design proposal which is presented during an online meeting. This includes:
The design brief
Moodboards and initial design ideas
Existing site considerations
A breakdown of fees and payment stages
A proposed timeline for the project
You will then receive a PDF copy of the proposal by email.
Prices for a consultation, proposal and presentation meeting with Kristina Clode Garden Design start from £1,200 including VAT, depending on the location of the garden.
Topographical Survey
We will also arrange a quote for a topographical survey from an independent surveyor, who is paid directly by the client.
This is an essential step that records your garden boundaries, existing features, building positions with windows and doorways, inspection covers and ground levels. Surveys for smaller gardens typically start from around £650.
Concept and Master Plans
Once the proposal has been agreed, we produce a Concept Plan which is then developed into the final Master Plan for the garden.
This includes:
The overall layout of your garden
Proposed materials
Existing and proposed levels
Specimen trees
General planting areas
At this stage, planting areas are identified by type — for example mixed border, herb garden or prairie planting — rather than by individual plants.
Technical Design and Tender Packs
The next stage involves producing the technical information required for contractors to accurately price and build the garden.
This tender package may include:
Scope of Works
Construction drawings
Setting out plans
Lighting plans
Irrigation plans
Material specifications
Additional drawings may also be required for retaining walls, steps, pergolas, water features or other structural elements. Some projects may require specialist drainage or structural engineering input.
These technical details are essential in ensuring the design is built accurately and quoted properly by landscape contractors.
Planting Plans
Finally, we produce detailed planting plans for all planting areas within the garden.
These plans show the precise placement of every plant and are accompanied by:
Moodboards with labelled plant images
Individual plant pot sizes and quantities
Suggested bulb planting
Seasonal maintenance guidance
Because planting areas often evolve during the design process, planting plans are estimated initially and then priced fully once the Master Plan has been agreed. As a guide, we recommend clients should allow at least £65 per square metre for plants, excluding specimen trees and large shrubs.
Kristina Clode Garden Design can organise all the plant procurement, setting out and planting on site which is usually charged on an hourly basis.
Building Costs: What to Expect
Once the design is complete, you will be able to obtain quotes for the construction of the garden.
Build costs are significantly higher than design fees and even relatively modest garden transformations can easily run into tens of thousands of pounds. More ambitious projects with extensive hard landscaping, such as large patios, retaining walls, pergolas or water features, can reach six figures and beyond.
While quotes from general builders can sometimes appear more affordable, we would generally advise using experienced landscape contractors wherever possible. Specialist landscapers are familiar with interpreting design drawings correctly and understand where corners simply cannot be cut.
Although both represent a significant investment, professional landscaping is far more likely to deliver long-term satisfaction and value for money.
Ongoing Maintenance
One final factor that is sometimes overlooked is ongoing garden maintenance.
A good designer will always consider how much time and effort you want to spend maintaining your garden. However, even low-maintenance gardens still require some level of care.
If professional maintenance is required, it is important to factor this into your long-term budget. Most professional gardeners currently charge from around £25 per hour, with rates typically higher in London and surrounding areas.
Kristina Clode Garden Design is also happy to revisit completed projects annually, or as required, to assess how the planting is developing and offer ongoing design advice. This is charged at a half-day or full-day rate.
Investing for the Long Term
So, is professional garden design worth it?
For many homeowners, the answer is a resounding yes.
A professional garden designer doesn’t just focus on how a space looks — they consider how it works for you day to day. The result is often the difference between a garden that is only occasionally used and one that becomes a true extension of the home.
Good design also solves practical problems. Awkward corners, poor flow, lack of storage or unsightly features can all be addressed thoughtfully and creatively. Even children’s play equipment can be integrated successfully into a beautiful garden design.
Perhaps most importantly, involving a designer from the outset can help avoid costly mistakes. A clear plan gives structure to the project, helps control budgets and allows work to be phased sensibly over time if needed.
Ultimately, the cost of garden design depends on your goals, your space and the scale of transformation you are hoping to achieve. Whether you are planning a modest refresh or a complete redesign, having a professional plan in place is one of the best investments you can make in your outdoor space.
If you’re considering transforming your garden, the best place to start is with a conversation. A good designer will help you understand what is possible within your budget and turn your ideas into a garden you can truly enjoy.
