Dear The Design Files,

‘…I hope I am not the only one, but I’d love to read a story about how to work with a landscape designer, including a rough figure on price points. In my mind it’s really expensive, but maybe it’s not as much as I think. When you do run a story like this one…Is it rude to include a guide to what the renovation cost?’

Kirsten

Here at TDF, we get dozens of reader questions like the above asking what exactly is involved with working with a professional garden designer.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the numerous companies, services (and jargon) on offer, so we reached out to some of our favourite designers to demystify the entire process. 

From project costs, to how long it’s going to take, here are your most frequently asked garden design questions, answered!

The garden of Chris Cobbett and Jonathan Cebon. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.

Phil Withers of Phillip Withers and his team selecting plants at a nursery. Photo – Amelia Stanwix.

The garden of Chris Cobbett and Jonathan Cebon is a central design feature of the whole home. Photo – Eve Wilson. Production – Lucy Feagins/The Design Files.

A neat nook of landscape designer Peter Shaw of Ocean Road Landscaping. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

The legendary Phil Withers! You’ll be safe in his hands. Photo – Amelia Stanwix.

A Northcote project by Fran Hale of Peachy Green. See the feature here. Photo – Amelia Stanwix.

Fran Hale of Peachy Green visiting one of her projects. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.

A range of services are included when you engage a landscape professional, it all depends on your brief and budget! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files.

A Peachy Green project. Photo – Sarah Pannell.

This Californian-style courtyard in Sydney by Garden Life is proof that no project is too small for a landscape designer. Photo – Nicholas Watt.

See the full feature here. Photo – Nicholas Watt.

This leafy North Fitzroy garden created by Amanda Oliver Gardens is another of small but abundant design! Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

See the original feature here. Photo – Caitlin Mills for The Design Files.

Anastasia Elias has a home garden like no other! Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Despite being a green thumb herself, Anastasia worked with a landscape designer to achieve her vision. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Bespoke Landscapes were the perfect collaborators to realise Anastasia’s design, helping her with structural requirements and keeping the vision within reach. Photo – Amelia Stanwix for The Design Files

Katy Svalbe of Svalbe & Co. worked closely with her green thumb clients to create this lush and wild-looking Redfern backyard. Photo – Nicholas Watt.

Working with a landscape designer is an intimate process. Many pros cite their great relationship with their clients (plus a shared passion for nature) as they key to the project’s success! Photo – Nicholas Watt.