The Process
A defined process to bring your vision to life
Our process provides a clear guide to what you can expect, while remaining flexible to suit the needs of each individual project.
The Process
Step 1
Consultation
Every project begins with an initial consultation to understand your garden, priorities and practical requirements.
This first conversation is typically a telephone call, allowing us to discuss the scope of the project and establish whether we are the right fit before moving forward. Depending on the nature and scale of the garden, this may be followed by a site visit at a later stage.
- You’ll discuss the location, size and context of your garden, along with your overall ambitions for the space with your designer.
- We’ll talk through budget expectations, proposed timescales, and how you would like to use the garden day to day.
- This stage helps us understand the scale and complexity of the project and advise on the most appropriate next steps.
Following the consultation, we will outline how the project can progress, including design, survey requirements and indicative costs.
Step 2
Design Fee Proposal
Following the consultation, your designer will provide a design fee proposal so you have clarity on what the design stage includes and how the process will run.
This allows everyone to agree scope and costs before any detailed work begins.
- A clear outline of the design stages, deliverables and fees
- Confirmation of what information is needed next (e.g., survey requirements)
- An indicative programme for moving from design into construction
Step 3
Garden Survey and Detailed Brief
A measured survey is essential for accurate plans, costing and a smooth build.
- For smaller projects, the designer will usually carry out the survey
- For larger or more complex gardens, we would appoint a specialist survey company to ensure full accuracy prior to the design commencing
- Alongside the survey, we develop a detailed brief to confirm requirements, priorities and any technical considerations before further progress
Step 4
Design Presentation
Once the design has been developed, it is presented to you so you can review the proposal in detail and confirm the direction before moving to construction pricing.
- The designer presents the finalised layout and key details
- Any final adjustments are agreed before the quotation stage, including, if required, construction details and detailed specification
Step 5
Installation
We will prepare a detailed, itemised quotation based on the final design and agreed scope of works. Once approved, we schedule the build.
- Installation is carried out based on an agreed quotation
- Our landscaping team manages the construction process from start to finish
- We build with a focus on quality, precision and long-term garden performance, delivering the scheme in line with the approved design
Frequently asked questions
Garden Landscaping Services
-
How long does it take to build a garden?
The construction period for a garden varies depending on its scale and complexity. Most projects take between two weeks and three months to complete, while larger or more complex schemes may take longer. We’ll always provide a realistic programme at the quotation stage so you know what to expect before work begins.
-
Do you build gardens all year around?
We work throughout the year wherever possible. Seasonal conditions are always taken into account, and in rare cases of extreme weather, such as heavy snow or prolonged freezing conditions, progress on site may need to pause temporarily. Any adjustments are managed carefully to ensure quality is never compromised.
-
How much should I budget for or estimate to spend?
Every garden is different, and costs depend on factors such as site conditions, materials, planting and level of detail. As a very rough guide, some clients choose to invest around 5-10% of their property’s value into their garden, though this can vary widely.
We always encourage clients to think in terms of long-term value rather than short-term savings. Well-constructed gardens perform better over time and avoid costly remedial work. We’re happy to discuss budget expectations early on and advise on how best to allocate investment.
-
Do you design gardens as well as build them?
Hortus London specialises in garden construction and landscaping, rather than design. We work closely with a number of experienced, professional garden designers and have built strong collaborative relationships over many years.
We’re very happy to introduce you to designers whose approach and experience best suit your project, or to work alongside a designer you already have.
-
Can I use my own designer?
Absolutely. We regularly collaborate with external designers and are pleased to work with clients who already have a design in place and are looking for an experienced contractor to deliver it.
If helpful, we can also direct designers to our Designer Partnerships page for further information about how we work together.
Led by Brian Hamilton
Landscaping Director
Brian’s horticultural journey began at the age of 13, working in a local garden centre in Northern Ireland. This early grounding shaped his long-standing interest in plants, landscapes and the craft of garden building, which he later pursued through formal study in horticulture, garden design and landscape architecture.
With more than 40 years of experience in the garden build industry, Brian has developed an exceptional depth of knowledge across landscape construction, planting and project delivery. His career spans a wide range of landscape styles and scales, underpinned by a strong understanding of construction, planting and long-term garden performance.
As Landscaping Director at Hortus London, Brian oversees the delivery of all landscape projects, bringing his expertise to every build and ensuring each garden is executed with precision and respect for the original design.
Get in contact
Get in touch with us about your upcoming project, or email us at info@hortus-london.com.
Let us know where you are in your garden design or build stage, and as much information as you may have that will help us respond efficiently.