Advice and consultancy

Gardens are wonderful places. But they can also be complex, bewildering and frustrating, whether you’re starting a new garden, or trying to work out what to do with one that’s already well established. Sometimes we all need a helping hand with our gardens, and that’s where my consultancy services come in.

After an initial conversation over the phone to make sure I’m the right person to help you, I’ll spend two hours with you in your garden to understand what you want to achieve. We can discuss your ideas and any challenges you are facing, and I’ll give you my thoughts and suggestions.

We can leave it at that, or if you prefer, I will send you a written summary of our discussion and my recommendations.

Initial deposit

Garden visit only

Garden visit and written report

£50.00

£250.00

£750.00

There are many topics I can help you with, but inevitably there will be some that I can’t, in which case I will tell you so and, if possible, suggest someone else who might be able to help you. If I don’t think I can help you, I’ll refund your deposit in full right away.

Feel free to contact me at info@duncanknowles.design if you’d like to book a call.

Questions about advice and consultancy services

  • Whilst I love talking to people about their gardens, I also need to make sure I focus my time on the needs of my clients.

    I ask you to pay a deposit to secure my time for a consultation; during our initial conversation, we will agree a date and time for me to visit your garden.

    The initial conversation is just to make sure I can actually help you. If I don’t think I’m the right person, I’ll refund your deposit immediately.

  • Yes, the deposit in included within the fees for consultations. So if you would like me to provide you with a written report, your total fee will be £750.

  • The full fee for the consultation, with or without a written report, must be paid at least a week before the garden visit.

  • Yes. However, I would strongly encourage you to decide before the garden visit, so that if something comes up during the visit that you want to include in the report, it won’t be missed. If you ask me after the visit, I will be reliant on the notes I’ve taken.

  • I am a garden designer, and my main area of expertise is in garden design. If you are hoping to identify unknown plants in your garden, for example, or if you want to know why a particular plant isn’t thriving, I may not be able to help you.

    I’ve learnt a lot about plants, and if these types of questions come up during a garden visit, I’ll do my best to answer them. But if this is the main reason for the consultation, I’ll probably suggest someone else to help you.

  • This depends on the details of the consultation. In general though, you should expect a summary of the challenges you are facing and the questions you ask me for advice on, and my opinions on how to address these. I’ll back these up with some sketches of ideas and details of up to 10 plants that might be appropriate.