Is a survey needed? When you commission us we’ll start by undertaking a comprehensive survey that takes account of any existing features, such as trees that might remain in the new garden, or utility services. We’ll explore options with you, and consider any constraints or opportunities that are presented by the space. If you live on or near the Dorset coast, you will be only too aware of the particular challenges that are thrown up by the environment. Strong, salt-laden winds, bright sunshine (occasionally) and exposed locations require a particular approach to the design process.

Do you project manage the whole build? Designing and installing a garden is ideally suited to a ‘project management approach’, and it follows that your landscaper should have plenty of experience in this area if all of the components of your garden are going to come together effectively, on time and within budget. With Coastal Tree Care you can be assured that your project is in very safe hands. Dale Culbreth is a ‘Prince2’ trained Practitioner, with years of project management experience under his belt. Whether we complete the entire project in-house, or outsource specific elements, you can be confident that each part of the process will be meticulously managed, with quality and high standards underpinning every stage and decision.

Where do you get Inspiration from? Inspiration is drawn from a diverse and eclectic mixture of previous experience and historical records, as well as a wider exposure to visual art and design principles from around the world. If you live near Weymouth, Portland, or Dorchester, please give us a call or complete an enquiry form to discuss your garden design requirements.

How much will it cost? When you first meet us we’ll listen to what you are looking for and start exploring initial ideas, so that you get a good sense of what is possible. We’ll explain our service, fees and timescales with you, and discuss the key elements of your requirements.

What happens once a design is agreed?

After the design and project costs are agreed, we begin the process of scheduling work, and arranging for the supply of the landscape materials to the site. We liaise closely with both clients and suppliers to ensure that there are arrangements in place to enable deliveries to be made directly to the site wherever possible. As you might imagine, the installation generally follows a set process.

Site Clearance

Groundwork – excavation and levelling, where required

Installation of hard surfaces (patios and paths)

Decking, fencing and wooden structures/features

Turf-laying and planting

Mulching planted areas

There’s no avoiding it – the garden will resemble a building site whilst the project is in it’s early stages! Happily, all of the temporary mess and inconvenience is more than made up for by the finished, planted design.

Our commitment to sustainability ensures that we source materials and services locally wherever possible, and taking a ‘partnership approach’ with local firms enables us to keep our prices competitive.

How is risk to the project managed ? Projects are regularly, and rigorously reviewed to take account of risks, and to enable clients to have as much involvement as they want with the quality assurance aspects of the installation. All projects can be subject to potential ‘slippage’ for a whole variety of reasons, so care is taken to manage and mitigate any possible issues. This process is often transparent and very informal, but larger, complex projects occasionally call for a more formal, documented approach, with risks articulated in a register, and actions planned and recorded systematically to minimise the potential for delay or additional costs.