Budget and Fees

Stagecraft works across a range of garden projects.

Let's establish what you want to achieve, what you're comfortable investing, and the level of
professional involvement your project requires.

Starting with the budget

Understanding your budget at the outset is vital to developing the right garden project.

Every garden and every client is different. Knowing how much you are comfortable investing helps us understand what is realistically achievable and shape the project scope accordingly.

We will therefore ask about your budget from the outset. If you are unsure what level of investment is appropriate for your garden, we can help you understand the likely costs and make an informed decision.

Project Budgets

Stagecraft Gardens works across a broad range of project budgets, from smaller planting projects and focused garden improvements through to substantial garden transformations.

As a guide, projects can range from around £2,000 for a focused planting installation to £30,000–£80,000 or more for a larger garden transformation.

We work with both small and large gardens, and we consider each project individually based on the site's character, your ambitions, and the work required.

These figures refer to the overall investment in the garden, rather than our design fee. The final project budget will depend on the scope of work, materials, planting, construction and specialist services required.

Design Fees

Beyond the initial assessment, consultation and design fees are based on the scope and complexity of the project and are confirmed before work begins.

Depending on the nature of the commission, fees may be agreed as:

  • Fixed project fees — where the scope can be clearly defined at the outset.

  • Time-based fees — where the scope is less easily defined or additional professional input is required.

  • Percentage-based fees — for larger projects where our involvement relates to a defined landscape construction budget.

Your agreed scope, fee and payment arrangements are set out in a formal Letter of Proposal and Terms of Engagement.

Not every project requires every stage of the design process. Depending on the project, services may include spatial and concept design, detailed design, planting design, specifications, contractor support and project direction.

Expenses & Additional Services

Some projects require additional professional services or expenses, such as specialist surveys, consultants, travel, photography, planning fees or technical specialists.

Where these are anticipated, we will identify them in the proposal wherever possible. We will discuss and agree any additional work or specialist services outside the agreed scope before they are commissioned.

When planting forms part of the project, plant supply and implementation costs are separate from design fees unless specifically included within the agreed scope. We quote plant supply separately, and it is payable before ordering.

Our aim is to establish the project scope, budget, fees and any additional costs clearly at the outset, so that the investment is understood before the work begins.