FAQ's

What is the first step in creating my new garden?

If you use the enquiry form on this web site or call or email us with a phone number, we’ll call you back to see how we can help.

We will be happy to chat and discuss what you would like to achieve with your garden. If you agree that Ian James Landscapes could undertake your project we will then arrange for one of our designers to visit free of charge.

We don’t charge for site visits or quotations.

What will it cost me to get my new garden designed?

For producing a garden design our fees start at £250 plus VAT for a small to medium sized garden. Larger gardens or proposals that are more intricate may involve a higher fee.

The charge covers the cost of surveying and measuring the garden, the production of a scaled proposal plan drawing, a dimension plan drawing and an elevation drawing, if one is required. If necessary it will also include another meeting to discuss the proposal and once the proposal has been approved the production of a detailed specification and a firm quotation.

How long will the construction work take?

We will advise you of the anticipated length of time that the project will take well before starting. With larger projects we will provide you with a works programme.

Poor weather, materials delays and additional requests will lengthen the process. Our normal working hours are: April to October 8.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday, November to March 8.30am – 4.30p.m Monday to Friday.

Will I need to make any arrangements for you?

No. We will quote on the basis of being the Main Contractor and will make all the necessary arrangements with other trades and service suppliers, such as skip rentals that would be required during your project.

If parallel building work is in progress whilst we are on-site the arrangements will have to be agreed with your other contractors.

How much does a new garden cost?

As many factors influence the cost of a new garden it is impossible to give an accurate cost until a design has been agreed and a quotation calculated.

Ease of access, complexity of design and choice of materials all affect the final cost. If a realistic budget is available, it is usually possible to create a design that will fit. This is a critical discussion point for the first meeting with a new client.

As a guide the gardens currently displayed on our web site vary in size from 25 square metres to over eight acres and their cost varied from £5,000 up to over £250,000.

What are your payment terms?

Our standard terms for design and build projects vary depending on the cost and duration of the project. The exact payment terms will be discussed with you when the design is signed off and the amounts confirmed in our quotation.

We always ask for a deposit which will vary between 30% and 50% of the overall cost This is due 14 days before the commencement of work. One or more progress payments will then be requested during construction with a final payment when the garden has been completed.

How would I pay?

We always request payment by BACS transfer because this method of payment doesn’t incur fees for either our clients or ourselves. We are unable to accept card payments.

Is an Escrow scheme available?

We are a Trust Mark accredited firm and they provide an scrow account facility for our clients if one is required. This will involve an additional cost to our client.

What happens if you cause damage during condtruction?

Very often the only site access to a garden is through a decorated and furnished house and this is a familiar challenge. Our normal practice is to protect items with dust sheets, fit foam over vulnerable edges, cover the flooring with thick plastic sheeting and lay wooden walkways.

Externally we always cover driveways and vulnerable surfaces to prevent damage, ensuring we take great care.

As a back-up to being careful we also carry £2m of insurance just in case.

How do I know that you will do the work properly?

We are happy to provide references from previous clients if requested.

We are members of the APL— the Association of Professional Landscapers. They have high standards and do regular on-site checks on our work to ensure standards are met.

All our work is guaranteed in terms of material and workmanship as per our terms and conditions. It should be noted however that plants can only be guaranteed if we are contracted to maintain them after planting.