Garden questions we often get asked

Garden design fees depend mainly on the size of the garden and how much design work is needed. A smaller project may only need a layout and planting plan, while a larger garden can require surveys, detailed drawings and support during construction. The design fee is separate from the cost of building the garden, so it helps to talk about the overall budget early.

At Locorum, we discuss this from the start so the level of design work is realistic for the project and, where appropriate, larger schemes can be phased. If you’re unsure what level of design support you need, we’re happy to talk it through with you. There’s no obligation to proceed, and an initial conversation can help you understand what might be suitable for your garden and budget.

Start by looking at the designer’s previous work and whether their approach feels right for your home and garden. It is also worth asking how the process works, what you will receive and how the costs are handled. A good garden designer should listen carefully to how you want to use the space and be realistic about what can be achieved within your budget. You should also feel comfortable asking questions and discussing ideas openly, because the relationship matters when you are making decisions about your home. If you’re considering Locorum alongside other designers, we’re happy to explain how we work and what would be included in your project. There’s no pressure to proceed, and the initial conversation should help you decide whether we’re the right fit.

The design stage often takes several weeks, although the timing depends on the size of the garden and how much detail is needed. Once the design is agreed, the construction period will depend on the work involved, the contractor’s availability and the time of year. Smaller projects may move ahead relatively quickly, while larger gardens can take longer or be completed in phases.

The important thing is that you have a realistic idea of the programme before work starts. At Locorum, we explain the likely timescale early and keep clients informed as the project develops. If you already have a date in mind, we’re happy to discuss whether it is realistic before you commit to anything.

A garden designer plans how an outdoor space should work and how it should feel to live with over time. This can include the layout and planting, as well as materials, levels and how different parts of the garden connect. The process begins with understanding how you want to use the space and what is already there. A good designer will also think about practical factors such as light, soil and the amount of maintenance you want, so the finished garden works in everyday life rather than only looking good on paper. If you’re not sure whether you need full garden design or simply help with part of the space, we can talk through what you have in mind and suggest the most suitable level of support.

Locorum is based in Hampstead and Highgate, but we work with clients across North London and surrounding areas. This includes garden design and ongoing garden maintenance, with the location and requirements of each project considered individually. If you are outside Hampstead or Highgate and are unsure whether we cover your area, please get in touch. We are happy to discuss your garden and let you know whether we can help before you make any commitment.

Garden design fees depend on the size of the garden and the amount of design work involved. A smaller garden may only need a clear layout and planting plan, while a larger project can require surveys and more detailed drawings, with support during construction where needed.

The design fee is separate from the cost of building the garden, so it helps to discuss the overall budget early. At Locorum, we talk about this from the start so the level of design work is realistic for the project and, where appropriate, larger schemes can be phased. If you are still working out what level of support you need, an initial conversation can help you understand the likely scope before you decide whether to proceed.

A professional garden design service takes an idea for a garden and develops it into a clear plan that can be built. It begins with understanding the site and how you want to use it, then develops the layout and planting alongside the materials that will give the garden its character.

Depending on the project, the finished design may include a masterplan and planting plan, with more detailed drawings where they are needed. The exact documents should reflect the complexity of the garden rather than following the same package every time. At Locorum, we explain what we believe your project will need before the design work begins, so you can see what you will receive and how each part of the design will help move the garden towards construction.

The design stage usually takes several weeks, although the exact timescale depends on the size of the garden and how much detail is required. A straightforward garden can move through the process more quickly, while a larger landscape may need more development before the plans are ready.

Time is also needed for discussion and feedback. Garden design is collaborative, so there should be room to consider the initial ideas and make sensible changes before the design is finalised. Once we understand the project, Locorum can give you a clearer idea of the likely programme. If you are hoping to have the garden ready for a particular season or event, it is worth mentioning this at the beginning so we can discuss whether the timing is realistic.

Yes. Redesigning a garden does not mean everything already there has to be removed. Mature trees and established planting can give a garden character that would take many years to recreate, so retaining what works can become an important part of the design.

The first step is to understand what is already growing successfully and how it fits with the way you want to use the garden. Some plants may simply need more space or a different surrounding planting scheme, while other areas may need a more substantial change. Locorum looks carefully at the existing garden before deciding what should stay. The aim is to build on its strengths where possible rather than starting again unnecessarily.

Most ordinary garden redesign work does not require planning permission, but some changes may need additional consent. This can apply to certain structures or boundary changes, while listed properties and homes in conservation areas may have extra restrictions. Protected trees also need particular care, and larger garden buildings can be subject to separate planning rules. What applies will depend on the property and what is being proposed.

For garden design projects in North London, we consider these issues early and can flag where further advice or approval may be needed. If you already know your property has planning restrictions, tell us at the beginning so they can be taken into account before the design develops too far.

Yes. A small garden can benefit greatly from professional garden design because every part of the available space has to work harder. The design needs to consider how the garden will be used while making good use of the space without leaving it feeling overcrowded. Locorum designs small gardens across London as well as larger landscapes. Existing planting can often be incorporated into the new design, while the layout and new planting can be used to make a compact garden feel more inviting and enjoyable throughout the year.

Yes. A garden can often be designed as a complete scheme and then built in stages, allowing the work and expenditure to be spread over time. The important thing is to consider phasing during the design process so that work completed now does not create unnecessary problems or additional costs later. If budget is likely to influence how the garden is developed, we encourage clients to discuss this with us early. Locorum can then consider what should be prioritised and how the wider garden could develop as further stages become possible.

Once the design has been agreed, the next stage is turning the drawings into a real garden. A landscaping contractor will normally carry out the construction work using the approved plans. Locorum can communicate with the contractor during this stage and provide clarification where needed. We can also recommend contractors where appropriate, although clients are free to work with their own preferred team.

Our involvement helps keep the finished garden close to the original design while allowing practical decisions to be made as work progresses. We can also remain involved with planting and ongoing garden maintenance once the garden has been completed.

Garden maintenance costs depend on the size of the garden and how much work is needed at each visit. Some gardens need regular care throughout the year, while others only need seasonal attention to keep the planting healthy and the garden in good condition. At Locorum, we start by looking at the garden and discussing the level of care you want. We then recommend a suitable maintenance schedule and provide a clear proposal, so you know what is included before any ongoing work begins.

A professional garden maintenance service can include pruning, planting work and soil improvement, with lawn care and seasonal preparation where needed. At Locorum, we also look at how the garden is developing over time. That means paying attention to how plants are establishing and whether parts of the garden need adjusting, so the space continues to work as intended rather than simply being kept tidy.

There is no single schedule that suits every garden. The right frequency depends on the planting and the time of year, as well as how intensively the garden needs to be managed. Some gardens benefit from monthly visits, while others only need seasonal maintenance. We assess the garden first and recommend a schedule that keeps it healthy without doing more work than is necessary.

Yes. Locorum maintains both gardens we have designed and existing gardens created by other designers or previous owners. We begin by understanding the current planting and how the garden is meant to work. From there, we can create a maintenance plan that supports what is already successful and gradually improves areas that need more attention.

Yes. An overgrown garden does not always need a complete redesign. Often, there is good planting or useful structure underneath that can be recovered. We start by assessing what to keep and what needs attention, then bring the garden back to a manageable condition. Once that work is complete, regular garden maintenance can help it develop more successfully and reduce the chance of the same problems returning.

The difference is mainly in the level of ongoing planning and attention given to how the garden develops over time. At Locorum, garden maintenance is informed by design. We look at planting relationships and structure, as well as how the garden changes through the seasons, so the space continues to mature in a considered way. This is particularly useful for clients who want long-term care rather than occasional help with individual gardening tasks.

Yes. Locorum provides ongoing garden maintenance in North London, with the frequency and type of work changing as the garden moves through the seasons. Gardens do not need the same attention throughout the year. Some periods involve more active growth and planting work, while quieter months provide opportunities for pruning and preparation for the season ahead. We recommend a maintenance schedule based on the garden itself rather than carrying out the same work at every visit.

In England, Biodiversity Net Gain is mandatory for most developments that need planning permission, although there are exemptions. From 6th August 2026, developments with a site area of 0.2 hectares or below are generally exempt. There are also separate exemptions for some very small habitat impacts and certain temporary developments. Priority habitat can affect whether an exemption applies, so it is worth checking the site rather than assuming a small development is automatically exempt.

If you are unsure whether BNG applies to your development, Locorum can help you establish what is likely to be required before you commit to a full Biodiversity Net Gain plan.

Where BNG applies, the planning process includes a Biodiversity Gain Plan showing how the development will achieve the required net gain. The supporting information normally includes the completed statutory biodiversity metric and plans showing the habitats before and after development. If off-site biodiversity units or statutory credits are being used, further evidence is required.

The Biodiversity Gain Plan is normally submitted after planning permission has been granted, but development cannot begin until it has been approved by the local planning authority. This is why it helps to consider Biodiversity Net Gain planning earlier, while the wider landscape and development are still being designed. Locorum works with ecologists to turn the ecological requirements into a practical landscape proposal, including planting plans and long-term management where needed.

The 10% requirement does not mean simply adding 10% more planting. Biodiversity is measured using the statutory biodiversity metric, which converts habitats into biodiversity units. The calculation looks at the type and condition of habitat, along with its size and strategic significance. For new or enhanced habitat, the metric also considers how difficult it will be to create and how long it is expected to take to reach the required condition.

The development must deliver at least a 10% increase in biodiversity value compared with the pre-development position. An ecologist will normally establish the existing biodiversity value, while the landscape design is developed around achieving the required gain in a way that works with the wider project.

Yes. Many developments can provide some or all of their Biodiversity Net Gain within the site itself. This may involve creating new habitat or improving existing areas so they provide greater biodiversity value. Where the required gain cannot be achieved entirely on-site, registered off-site biodiversity units can also be used. Statutory biodiversity credits are available where the necessary gain cannot be achieved through those routes and are intended as a last resort.

For projects in North London, looking at BNG alongside the landscape design can often reveal practical opportunities to create habitat without treating biodiversity as something separate from the rest of the development.

Creating habitat is only part of Biodiversity Net Gain. Significant on-site habitat improvements and registered off-site gains generally need to be maintained for at least 30 years, so there needs to be a clear plan for how those habitats will be managed over that period.

A 30-year Biodiversity Net Gain management plan explains how the landscape should be maintained so the promised biodiversity gains have a realistic chance of being achieved and retained. Where significant on-site gains are involved, information on management and monitoring forms part of the wider Biodiversity Gain Plan requirements. Locorum prepares 30-year management plans alongside BNG landscape plans, allowing the long-term care of the landscape to be considered from the start rather than added later.

As early as possible. BNG can affect how much space needs to be retained for habitat and what can realistically be created within the site. Leaving it until the rest of the development has already been designed can reduce the available options or create additional work later.

Using the biodiversity metric during the design process allows the development team to understand likely habitat losses and test ways of achieving the required gain. Biodiversity Net Gain should therefore be considered throughout planning rather than treated as something to deal with only after planning permission has been granted. If you are at an early stage, Locorum can work alongside your ecologist and wider project team so the BNG landscape plan is considered while there is still room to make sensible design decisions.

The Biodiversity Net Gain calculation is normally led by a competent person with appropriate ecological expertise, using the statutory biodiversity metric to assess the habitat before development and the proposed position afterwards. For some developments and habitats, the level of expertise required is specifically defined within the BNG process.

The landscape designer has a different but closely connected role. Locorum works alongside ecologists to develop the landscape and planting proposals needed to help deliver the required biodiversity gain, while considering how those habitats will be established and managed over time. Bringing the ecological and landscape design work together early can make the process much more practical, because the BNG requirements can influence the design while there is still scope to make changes rather than being addressed at the end.