Garden design is a planting and layout plan built around your specific site — soil, sun/shade and how you'll use the space — using plants with a proven track record in Adelaide gardens, done before any construction starts.
If you've decided to update the landscape of your back garden or front yard, you may be looking at landscaping ideas from magazines or pictures you've seen of other work done by landscapers, such as from Hand Made Gardens. Some clients come to us knowing what they're after, what they want and where, with a budget in mind, but many people only know what type of elements they'd like included and what they'd like to spend, with no idea how it should all be laid out.
Just like when building a house, the landscape design Adelaide home owners request from Hand Made Gardens sets out exactly what hardscape and soft-scape landscaping work will be undertaken and where everything will be located. Once you're happy with all the dimensions, choice of materials, plants and colours discussed with the landscape designers, our landscapers Adelaide residents have trusted for over 45 years will take over and start construction of your project.
One of the major advantages you have, and a point of difference, when dealing with Hand Made Gardens is that you only deal with one business all the way through. While you'll meet several specialists along the way, one person is in charge to make sure everything runs smoothly, and that's Martyn Hand!
Free Quote, Project Consultation Or Design Consultation
Three different starting points suit three different situations. A Free Quote is for when you already know what you want built and just need a price. A $220 Project Consultation (1 hour) is for getting a fixed, realistic figure on a rough idea before committing to anything bigger — the $220 is refunded if you go ahead with construction. The $495 Design Consultation (1.5 hours) goes further into materials, planting and layout, finishing with a concept sketch plan — the actual hardscape and soft-scape concept plans described below are the next step beyond that, priced on application once the scope is set.
Hardscape Landscaping Concept Plans
Landscape design hardscape concept plans set out what landscaping materials will be required for the project. Quantities are also specified (LM, M², M³) so that costings can be accurately calculated — planter beds, turf, compost, pavers, screens and fences, decking, walling, irrigation and garden lighting are all defined within the scope of works. These plans also locate the position of sprinklers and garden lights for the landscapers to install.
Soft-Scape Concept Plans
Landscape design soft-scape concept plans list the plants that will be planted out for the project. With over 45 years experience, Martyn will be only too happy to assist with what will look great in years to come once the plants have matured, and give advice based on where the plants are to be located on your property with regards to sun/shade and soil content. Quantities and size of each plant are also specified based on budget and time to reach maturity. To be as accurate as possible, the landscape design Adelaide home owners receive includes both the botanical name and the common name, to avoid confusion with the many variants that come out each year.
As the landscape designers Adelaide's southern, eastern, western and Adelaide Hills suburb home owners have used for over 45 years, Hand Made Gardens will handle everything for you, so you don't have to worry about anything. From the initial consultation, discussing what you have in mind and your ideas, to providing landscape design working drawings for both the structural hardscape work and the soft-scape landscaping work if you choose, liaising with other contractors or structural engineers if required, through to completion, Hand Made Gardens will be in control of everything so all you have to do is enjoy your new dream garden.
Plant selection changes with where the site actually is, not just what look you're after. A garden in the Adelaide Hills deals with different frost, rainfall and soil than one on the coastal Fleurieu Peninsula or the clay-heavy Adelaide Plains, and a planting plan that ignores that ends up fighting the site rather than working with it. The soft-scape plan factors in your specific block's conditions rather than applying one generic plant list across every job — part of why over 45 years of real Adelaide-area jobs matters more here than a stock list ever could.
Design and construction have worked well split across two specialists too — the Glen Osmond deck pictured in our portfolio was designed by an outside landscape designer, with Hand Made Gardens handling the licensed construction from those plans. That's a genuine option alongside the all-in-one service described above, not just a theoretical one.
Not sure where to start? Browse our full Landscaping Ideas and Inspiration library, including our landscaping ideas for front and backyard gardens and guide to how a garden renovation runs, and our infinity-edge pool landscaping project shows a full design brought to life.
Garden Design FAQ
Can I get a garden design without construction work?
Yes — Garden Design is available on its own if you just want a planting plan and layout advice, separate to any construction.
How much does a garden design consultation cost?
$495 for a Design Consultation (1.5 hours), covering ideas, materials, planting and design choices, finishing with a concept sketch plan setting out what was decided. Full design plans beyond that are priced on application. This is separate to a free quote, which is for when you already know what you want done.
Will the plants actually suit my garden?
The planting plan is built from species with a genuine track record in Adelaide-area gardens and your specific site's soil, sun and shade — not a generic list.
Can garden design be combined with construction?
Yes — hardscape (paving, decking, retaining walls) and planting can be designed together from the start so they work as one plan, or design can be a standalone project.
What information do you need to design my garden?
A look at the actual site — sun, shade, soil, drainage — plus how you want to use the space, all covered as part of the Design Consultation itself.
Would you like your dream garden designed? If you know what your budget is and have elements in mind, ask us to quote on plans for it.
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