Hire a garden designer or do it yourself?

The big question

You want a new garden. Everyone asks the same thing: do I design it myself or hire someone? The honest answer isn't as simple as you'd like. It depends on budget, skill, your garden's complexity and — let's be candid — your confidence level. Most gardening enthusiasts overrate their design ability. And most designers underestimate your budget constraints.

Tools like GardenWorld let you visualise your garden without the cost of a landscape architect. Upload a photo and get a visual design in minutes. A solid starting point whether you continue solo or bring in a professional.

Option 1: Hire a garden designer

A professional garden designer creates a bespoke plan. They know plants, materials, proportions and regulations. A good design saves money long-term by preventing costly mistakes.

What does a designer cost?

• Consultation: £40–120 (sometimes free with a commission)
• Sketch design: £250–700
• Full design: £700–2,200
• Design + project management: £1,300–4,500+

RHS partner gardens and garden shows are great places to meet designers. Many charge a flat fee; others work hourly (£50–100/hr).

When to hire?

• Your garden is over 100 m² and you don't know where to start
• Complex conditions exist (slopes, poor soil, heavy shade)
• You want a coherent design tying everything together
• You have no feel for proportions or colour (and that's perfectly fine)

Option 2: Design it yourself

DIY design saves hundreds to thousands and gives you full control. With the right tools and knowledge you can get surprisingly far. But it takes time — budget 20–40 hours for a solid design.

The upsides

• No designer fees
• You learn enormously about your garden
• Work at your own pace
• The result is truly yours

The risks

• Proportions off (too-small patio, oversized borders)
• Plant combinations that don't work (everything blooming at once)
• Mismatched materials
• Overlooking underground issues

Option 3: The middle ground

The smartest approach is often a blend. Use GardenWorld for initial visualisation, research materials and plants yourself, then get a designer to review your plans. Many offer a "second pair of eyes" service.

The hybrid approach

1. Upload your garden photo on GardenWorld for a first design
2. Research materials and plants at garden centres
3. Draw your ideas to scale
4. Pay a designer for 2 hours of feedback
5. Execute yourself or hire a landscaper

This costs £100–250 in professional advice instead of £1,200+, with the reassurance that the fundamentals are sound.

Cost comparison

My honest advice

Tight budget? Start with GardenWorld, educate yourself, go step by step. Generous budget and complex garden? Invest in a designer. The mistakes you prevent are worth more than the design fee.

Curious what's possible? Upload your photo on GardenWorld and receive a custom design within a minute.