Pricing & Professional Fees
Engaging professional support for your garden is an important investment. It’s natural to want reassurance around cost, quality and reliability before making contact.
My aim is to be transparent, considered and flexible, while delivering work of lasting high quality. The information below provides a clear guide to expected fees, based on the scope and nature of your project.
Garden Consultancy & Mentoring
Consultancy and mentoring services are charged at £50 per hour and are ideal if you are seeking expert guidance, design direction or planting advice.
Half-day (minimum): £200
Full day: £320
An initial consultation is usually brief and focused, allowing us to assess your garden and objectives efficiently.
Travel time and fuel may be charged depending on distance.
For further detail, please read on.
Specialist Planting & Hands-On Garden Work
Hands-on planting and garden work is charged at £40 per hour, excluding travel time and fuel.
A minimum half-day (4 hours) applies
Day rates are normally used unless the site is very local
These rates reflect specialist horticultural knowledge, careful plant handling and a thoughtful, detail-led approach.
Tailored Projects & Investment Planning
Every garden is unique. Larger projects are therefore custom-designed to suit your site conditions, aspirations and available budget.
Key factors include:
Soil type, drainage and exposure
Local climate and micro-conditions
Long-term structure, sustainability and wildlife value
Your personal vision for the space
Projects can be delivered in well-planned stages, for example:
Structural planting and preparation first
Infill and seasonal planting introduced later
This phased approach ensures quality is never compromised and allows your garden to mature naturally over time.
The Process
1. Initial Enquiry
After reviewing the website, please get in touch via:
Phone: 07988 010418
Or the Contact Me page
I’ll establish whether you’re looking for consultancy, practical work, or a combination of both, and ask for a brief outline of your aims.
Photos and approximate measurements are helpful at this stage and allow me to provide an informed initial estimate.
2. Consultation & Site Visit
If you wish to proceed, we’ll arrange a visit at a convenient time.
During this visit I will:
- Assess soil, aspect and site conditions
- Discuss planting style, priorities and budget
- Take any measurements needed
You are also welcome, by appointment, to visit my show garden, which reflects my planting ethos and approach.
3. Quotation & Scheduling
Following the visit, you will receive a clear, detailed quotation and an estimated start date.
Please note:
For planting projects over £2,500, plant costs are payable upfront
Nurseries require full payment before plants are released
A signed receipt will always be provided
In some cases, specialist or large plants must be ordered in advance to secure availability.
Any alterations to the agreed scope of work may incur additional costs.
4. Project Delivery
I will complete the agreed project, or defined stage, with care and attention to detail.
If you’re happy with the process outlined above and would like to move forward, please call 07988 010418 or make contact via the website.
Plant Selection & Sourcing
Personalised Plant Choices
Taste is subjective. While I take great care in selecting plants suited to your garden and preferences, I am always happy to exchange any that don’t feel quite right.
Please advise while I’m onsite or within one week of planting
This allows time to organise suitable replacements
Quality-Led Plant Sourcing
I grow and hold a small selection of trusted trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials. These are plants I know well and regularly use.
For larger projects, I source stock from specialist nurseries and garden centres across Scotland, including:
Ashbrook & Silverwells Nurseries (Arbroath)
Glendoick Garden Centre
Woodbury Estate, Glen Isla
Binny Plants, R&B Nursery and Macplants (Edinburgh direction)
Plants are supplied at standard retail prices. Time spent sourcing, selecting and transporting high-quality specimens is chargeable, as it often involves visiting multiple suppliers.
I strongly prefer selecting plants in person rather than ordering unseen, ensuring the healthiest and most appropriate specimens for your garden.
Clients are welcome to join me on sourcing days if they wish, although these are often full, fast-paced and practical rather than leisurely.
Supplying Your Own Plants
If you prefer, I can provide a detailed planting list, allowing you to:
Source plants independently
Order online
Incorporate your own selections
This flexible option suits clients who enjoy a more hands-on role.
Plant Establishment Guarantee
For larger planting projects, any plants supplied by me that fail within the first year will be replaced.
This guarantee excludes losses due to:
Theft
Vandalism
Neglect
Clear aftercare and establishment guidance is always provided.
Value, Trust & Long-Term Results
Garden investment is no different from any other considered purchase — quality, expertise and longevity matter.
If you are open about your budget, I can advise on how to maximise value, prioritise spending and deliver a garden that matures beautifully over time while supporting wildlife and seasonal interest.
Get in Touch
To discuss your garden project, please contact:
John
📞 07988 010418
📩 Or via the Contact Me page