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 and project management Fee: 

This is due after your initial consultation, agreed design brief and draft drawings have been supplied to you for a masterplan and all amendments agreed upon. Once payment is received the final design, planting plans and 3D drawing will be supplied with specs for materials and plants plus quantities and a layout plan will be supplied to one of our APL contractors.
 

Extensive changes of designs may incur additional charges. All masterplans and planting plans are created using Vectorworks, and whole garden designs are accompanied by either a hand drawn or 3D CGI, Birdseye view- CGI walk throughs can be requested but will incur an extra fee.

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.

• 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 various invoice stages, the design fee is stage one. In all other stages you will be invoiced for the materials upfront and the labour on completion. when choosing which option you will go for, the materials and plants, will be invoiced for before the building phase begins. All costs to do with the build and hard landscaping will come from the landscape contractor. This will cover their labour costs, hand landscape materials, travel, porter loos. 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 for your delivery of plants and 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 signing off time. 

• Bespoke Garden Design (Package 4):  We charge a day rate of £300 (plus VAT) and timing depends on the size of the garden and the complexity of the design, and any changes to the design. At the start of the project we will provide you with an estimate of the time it will take to complete the design stage.  If this stage looks like it will run over (typically around 10 days)  we will contact you in advance.

The whole design, build and plant package will the be invoiced in 5 stages. The design, the materials, the plants, the build and planting, and any final sundries. 

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 an invoice for Plants 

(If you have ordered build or build-and-plant services.)

a) After a site meeting and discussion of work commencement dates with you - The selected APL contractor will issue you with a quote then invoice you directly for this payment instalment, which covers hard landscaping materials, equipment hire and soil improvers. Upon receipt of this materials will be ordered ready for commencement

b) You will also be given a quote/invoice for all the Plants listed on the Planting plan from The Garden Design Group. Once payment is received for these they will be ordered and delivered to site. They will be thoroughly checked on arrival.

Phase 3 – Landscape Contractor’s Invoice 

The next invoice will be sent to you on completion of build and planting and sent directly to you from the APL 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.) 

Phase 4 - Upon the completion 

The Garden Design Group will come and make sure the space is left clean and tidy, ready for your enjoyment and sign off the garden as completed with you the client. Maintenance documents and advice will be provided at this time as well as a final invoice for any outstanding costs if there are any.
 

Additional Charges 

• Mileage: All mileage will be charged at the current 2025/26 HMRC advised business rate per mile (45p/mile) and will be included in the designer and the contractor’s invoices. 

• 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 design plans within three to four weeks of agreeing the design brief with you, the client. If there are a lot of last minute changes then this time may increase. The actual build timeline will depend on the availability of both the client and contractors and the availability of some plants/materials, and the complexity of the design. The planting time may depend on the season too. 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 recommend an alternative if you do not wish wait for it. Bespoke plans may take longer and may require multiple site visits.
 

• 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. 

 
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: These will be issued in the phases stated in the Terms of Payment section and must be paid before the next phase of the garden can continue. Delays in payment will delay the process.

• Late Payments: Failure to pay the balance within 7 days of project completion will result in a late fee of 2% per week on the outstanding amount.
 

5. 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. 

6. Warranties and Liability 

• Warranties: our contractors have warranties on all materials supplied by them, times vary on products. The Garden Design Group provide a 1 week warranty on pre planted plants which is subject to proper maintenance and care by the client. Once they are planted they become the clients responsibility.

• 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. 

7. 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. 

8. Privacy

We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information.

9. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of The United Kingdom. Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of The United Kingdom.

10. Amendments

We reserve the right to amend these Terms at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting on our website or in other forms of communication.

11. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at:

The Garden Design Group Ltd
info@thegardendesigngroup.co.uk