Three steps to hiring the right gardener
First, ask to see photos of similar completed work, ideally local gardens. Second, for larger projects, get a written quote specifying materials and scope. Third, ask about public liability insurance, particularly for any work involving power tools, ladders, or structural landscaping.
What a good landscaping quote should include
A proper quote should specify materials by name/grade (not just "paving" or "decking"), whether waste removal and disposal is included, and an estimated timeline that accounts for weather-dependent work. Ongoing maintenance quotes should state visit frequency and exactly what's covered each visit.
Guarantees on landscaping work
Hard landscaping (patios, walls, decking) commonly comes with a workmanship guarantee, typically shorter than a building trade's (often 1-2 years). Planting generally isn't guaranteed the same way since plant survival depends on aftercare, weather and site conditions beyond the installer's control.
Common gardening and landscaping jobs
Gardeners cover a wide range, from regular maintenance (mowing, hedge trimming, weeding) to one-off landscaping projects like patios, decking, fencing and full garden redesigns. It's worth checking whether a gardener does both, since some specialise in maintenance only and subcontract larger landscaping work.
Accessible garden design
Level or gently sloped paths, raised beds, and wider gateways make a garden more usable for anyone with mobility considerations — worth planning these into a redesign from the start, since retrofitting accessibility into an already-completed hard landscaping scheme is more disruptive and costly.
Privacy screening options beyond fencing
Hedging, trellis with climbing plants, and screening panels all offer alternatives to a solid fence for privacy, with different maintenance and growth-time trade-offs — a fast-growing hedge gives privacy sooner but needs more regular trimming than a slower-growing alternative.
Raised beds and vegetable gardens
Raised beds improve drainage and soil quality control, useful where existing soil is poor or compacted, and make gardening more accessible for anyone who finds ground-level bending difficult. Positioning for sun exposure matters more for a productive vegetable bed than for purely ornamental planting.
Understanding your soil before planting
Soil type (clay, sandy, chalky) significantly affects what plants will thrive without heavy intervention — a simple soil test before a planting scheme is decided can save money on plants that would otherwise struggle in unsuitable conditions.