Garden Design and Build in London
Soil Sisters offers a complete garden design and build service across London. We handle every stage of your project, from the first site visit and concept sketches through to construction, planting and handover. One team, one point of contact, no gaps between what gets designed and what gets built. Call us on 0203 834 9807 or request a free consultation.
Why Choose a Design and Build Service
Most garden projects fail in the handover between designer and contractor. Drawings get misread, materials get substituted, planting plans get simplified. When one team does both, that gap disappears. Your designer is on site during the build, decisions happen in real time and the finished garden matches the vision you signed off on.
We have seen what happens when design and build are split. Contractors quoting to a plan they did not draw. Designers who have not priced materials in two years. The result is usually compromise, delay or both. Our integrated approach avoids all of that.
What You Get
Design Phase
- Full site survey with measured plans, levels and drainage assessment
- Hand-drawn concepts and 3D visualisations so you see the garden before anything is built
- Detailed construction drawings with dimensions, materials specs and fixing details
- Bespoke planting plans with species lists, Latin names and spacing
- Lighting and irrigation layouts where required
- Full cost breakdown before you commit to the build
Build Phase
- Site clearance, excavation and ground preparation
- All hard landscaping: patios, paving, decking, retaining walls, raised beds, steps, edging
- Fencing, screens, boundary treatments and gates
- Drainage installation including soakaways for London clay
- Electrical work for outdoor lighting, power and irrigation
- Turfing, planting and specimen tree installation
- Final snagging and aftercare guidance
After Handover
We do not disappear once the last plant goes in. Every design and build project comes with a written maintenance guide tailored to your garden. We also offer ongoing garden maintenance packages if you want us to keep things looking their best.
Garden Design and Build Costs in London
London garden projects cost more than the national average, mainly because of access constraints, material delivery logistics and higher labour rates. We are upfront about pricing because vague quotes waste everyone's time.
| Project Type | Typical Cost Range | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Small courtyard (under 30 sqm) | £15,000 – £25,000 | Design, paving, planting, lighting |
| Medium terrace garden (30–60 sqm) | £25,000 – £45,000 | Full design and build with patio, borders, lawn, fencing |
| Large family garden (60–120 sqm) | £45,000 – £75,000 | Complete redesign with structures, levels, mature planting |
| Premium/complex projects | £75,000+ | Bespoke features, outdoor kitchens, water features, garden rooms |
Design fees on their own start from around £1,500 for a small London garden and £2,500 to £4,000 for medium to large plots. On a full design and build contract, the design fee is typically included in the overall project price.
Cost Per Square Metre
As a rough guide, full garden design and build in London runs between £100 and £250 per square metre. That range reflects the difference between a straightforward patio-and-planting scheme and a multi-level garden with bespoke features. Porcelain paving alone is £100 to £180 per sqm fitted, while a full planting scheme runs £30 to £80 per sqm depending on density and species.
We always provide an itemised quote so you can see exactly where the money goes. If budget is tight, we can design in phases so the hard landscaping goes in first and planting follows when funds allow.
How We Work: From First Call to Finished Garden
- Free consultation. We visit your garden, talk through what you want, take photos and notes. No obligation, no charge. This is where we work out if we are a good fit for your project.
- Site survey and brief. We carry out a detailed measured survey and agree the design brief, covering layout preferences, materials, planting style, budget and timeline.
- Concept design. We produce two to three initial layout options as hand-drawn plans, then develop the preferred direction into 3D visuals so you can see the garden from every angle.
- Detailed design and costing. Construction drawings, materials specifications, planting plans and a full itemised quote. You approve everything before we start.
- Build. Our team carries out all construction, landscaping and planting. Your designer manages the project on site, not a separate foreman you have never met.
- Handover and aftercare. We walk you through the finished garden, hand over your maintenance guide and schedule a check-in visit after six to eight weeks.
Most London design and build projects take 8 to 14 weeks from first concept to completion, depending on scale and complexity. We give you a realistic timeline upfront and keep you updated throughout.
Areas We Cover in London
We design and build gardens right across London, with particular experience in these areas.
South London
South East London including Dulwich, Peckham, Forest Hill, Lewisham, Greenwich, Blackheath, Bromley and Beckenham.
South West London
Fulham, Hammersmith, Chelsea, Kensington, Barnes, Putney, Wandsworth, Wimbledon, Richmond, Twickenham and Kingston.
North London
Islington, Camden, Highgate, Hampstead, Muswell Hill, Crouch End and Finsbury Park.
East London
Hackney, Walthamstow, Stratford, Bow, Bethnal Green, Canary Wharf and Leytonstone.
We also work across Kent, Surrey, Essex and Buckinghamshire.
London Garden Challenges We Solve
London gardens throw up problems you do not see in the rest of the country. Heavy London clay that waterlogs every winter. Restricted access where every bag of aggregate has to come through the house. Overlooked boundaries in Victorian terraces. Planning constraints in conservation areas. Basement gardens that barely see direct sun. We have dealt with all of these, repeatedly, and we design around them rather than pretending they do not exist.
Clay soil is the big one. Most London postcodes sit on heavy clay, which means drainage is not optional, it is structural. We install proper soakaways and channel drains as standard on clay sites. Our materials guide covers the paving and edging options that work best on clay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a garden design and build cost in London?
Most London design and build projects cost between £15,000 and £75,000, depending on size and specification. A small courtyard makeover starts around £15,000 while a large family garden with structures and mature planting can reach £75,000 or more. We provide a detailed itemised quote before any work begins.
How long does a garden design and build take?
Typically 8 to 14 weeks from first concept to completion. The design phase takes 3 to 5 weeks, and the build phase 5 to 9 weeks. Larger or more complex projects can take longer. We agree a realistic timeline at the outset.
Do I need planning permission for my garden project?
Most residential garden work falls under permitted development and does not need planning permission. Exceptions include front garden paving over 5 square metres with impermeable materials, walls or fences over 2 metres, and work in conservation areas or on listed buildings. We check all of this during the design stage. Our planning permission guide covers the details.
Can I do the project in phases?
Yes. We often design the complete garden but build it in stages. Hard landscaping goes in first, then planting and features follow later. This spreads the cost without compromising the overall design.
What happens if I already have a design from another designer?
We are happy to build from another designer's plans, though we may suggest adjustments if we spot practical issues during our site review. We regularly work alongside architects and interior designers on larger projects.
Do you provide a guarantee on your work?
All hard landscaping comes with a 5-year workmanship guarantee. Planting is guaranteed for the first growing season, and we include a detailed care guide to give everything the best start.
What qualifications and insurance do you have?
Soil Sisters carries full public liability insurance and professional indemnity cover. Our designers are qualified in garden and landscape design, and our build teams are experienced tradespeople covering brickwork, carpentry, drainage and electrical work.
See Our Work
Browse completed design and build projects in our portfolio, including gardens in Beckenham, Barnes, Shoreham, Chigwell and Twickenham. Each case study shows the brief, the design process and the finished result.
Related Services
- Landscaping services in London if you need build-only without the design element
- Garden design in London for design-only packages
- Garden build services for construction from existing plans
- Garden design budget guide for a detailed breakdown of costs at every level
Get Started
If you are thinking about redesigning your garden, the first step is a conversation. Tell us about your space, your ideas and your budget and we will let you know what is possible.
Call 0203 834 9807 or fill in our contact form to book your free consultation. We typically respond within 24 hours.