Terms and Conditions

Introduction

Welcome to The Garden Design Group Ltd ("we," "our," "us"). These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of our garden design services ("Services"). By engaging with our Services, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, please do not use our Services. 

 1. Terms of Agreement Payment 

Phase 1 – Design Fee: Upon payment of our initial online design fee, you will be emailed our 'Design Brief' form. Please fill this out accurately and return it to us. We will then begin designing your garden. We may contact you for further clarification if needed, and you can also reach out to us through our website. We aim to send you your personalised design within three to four weeks of receiving your completed design form. You will have the opportunity to make minor changes before finalising the design, which will be sent to you along with a planting plan. 

• Border design/redesign (Package 1): If you have ordered a planting plan only, it will include a list of plants, quantities, and any special planting instructions. This is all covered in the initial design fee. 

• The Garden Design Plan Only (Package 2): includes a plan view, a birdseye view, and a planting plan - No landscaping materials, plants or labour are included. This is a single upfront payment option depending on the size of the garden. 

• Complete Garden Package (Package 3): Start to finish garden.  There will be 3 invoice stages, the design fee is due upfront when choosing which option you will go for, the materials and plants, will be invoiced for before the building phase begins. The final payment will be invoiced to you directly from the landscape contractor. This will cover their labour costs, travel, porter loos (if requested by you the client) and any unforeseen extra costs (which will always have been agreed with you prior to being carried out.) This payment is due on completion of the garden build. Upon the contractor receiving this payment, our planting team will contact you and book in a time, with you, to complete the planting. They will ensure the space is left clean and tidy, ready for your enjoyment. Maintenance documents and advice will be provided at this time. 

• Bespoke Garden Design (Package 4): This will be quoted for before any work commences. These will the be invoiced in three stages. The design, the materials and plants, and finally the landscape contractors invoice for the build. 

Extensive changes of designs may incur additional charges. All plans are created using Vectorworks, and whole garden designs are accompanied by either a hand drawn or CGI, Birdseye view- CGI walk throughs can be requested but will incur an extra fee.

Phase 2 – Invoice for Hard Landscaping Materials and Plants 

If you have ordered build or build-and-plant services, we will invoice you for the next payment instalment, which covers hard landscaping materials and plants/trees. Upon receipt of this payment one of our partner landscape contractors will contact you to schedule the start date for your build. 

Phase 3 – Landscape Contractor’s Invoice 

The final payment will be invoiced to you directly from the landscape build contractor. This will cover their labour costs, travel, porter loos (if requested by you the client) and any unforeseen extra costs (which will always have been agreed with you prior to being carried out.) This payment is due on completion of the  garden build, but before it is planted. Upon the contractor receiving this payment, our planting team will contact you and book in a time, with you, to complete the planting. They will ensure the space is left clean and tidy, ready for your enjoyment. Maintenance documents and advice will be provided at this time. 

Please note: All plans/drawings will be at scale in a pdf file and emailed to you. You may print these plans at full scale if desired but this service is not included but can be requested and charged for accordingly.

2. Additional Charges 

• Mileage: All mileage will be charged at the current 2024/25 HMRC advised business rate per mile (45p/mile) and will be included in the contractor’s invoice. 

• Extra Fees: Any additional fees incurred by contractors, suppliers, electricians, etc., will be your responsibility  to agree with them in advance and will included in their final invoice. 

• Design Changes: Any changes or additions to the design after approval may result in delays and additional costs. 

3. Time Scales 

We aim to deliver any package design plans within three to four weeks of receiving the completed design brief questionnaire. The actual build timeline will depend on the availability of both the client and contractors. The planting time will depend on season and plant availability. Occasionally, we may not be able to get hold of one of the specified plants we have put in the plans, however we will discuss with you a recommended alternative if you do not wish wait for it. Bespoke plans may take longer and may require multiple site visits.

4. General Terms 

Quotes and Payments 

• Quotes: All quotes are valid for 30 days from the date of issue. Prices are subject to change after this period. 

• Payments: Once the design has been agreed upon, a non-refundable charge for hard landscaping materials and plants will be issued. This must be paid to secure your booking with one of our contractors. The remaining balance is due upon completion of the build of the project. This will secure the final stage of planting your garden. 

• Late Payments: Failure to pay the balance within 14 days of project completion will result in a late fee of 2% per month on the outstanding amount. 

Project Timeline 

• Timeline: We will provide an estimated timeline for project completion. This is subject to change based on weather conditions, availability of materials, availability of landscape contractor, and other unforeseen circumstances. 

• Delays: We are not responsible for delays caused by factors beyond our control, including but not limited to adverse weather, supply chain disruptions, or client related delays. 

Client Responsibilities 

• Access: You must ensure we have adequate access to your property to perform the Services. This includes access to water and electricity if required. Please ensure our contractors have access to toilet facilities if you do not wish to include one in our build quote. 

• Permissions: It is your responsibility to obtain any necessary permissions or permits from local authorities or neighbouring property owners before the commencement of the project. 

Design Approval and Changes 

• Approval: Before the commencement of the project, you will be provided with a design plan for approval. Any changes to the design must be communicated before the start of the project. 

• Changes: Any changes requested after the project has commenced may incur additional charges and extend the project timeline. 

Warranties and Liability 

• Warranties: We provide a 12-month warranty on all materials supplied by us, and a 1 month warranty on plants which is subject to proper maintenance and care by the client.

• Liability: Our liability is limited to the value of the Services provided. We are not responsible for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use of our Services. 

Complaints and Dispute Resolution 

• Complaints: Any complaints regarding our Services must be made in writing within 7 days of project completion. We will address your complaint promptly and aim to resolve it within 14 days.

• Dispute Resolution: In the event of a dispute, both parties agree to attempt mediation before pursuing any legal action.