Frequently Asked Questions

Landscape designers are dedicated professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge, creativity, and inspiration to your garden design. They work to create a design that is tailored specifically to your home, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Unlike other forms of art, a garden is a dynamic and evolving ecosystem that requires ongoing inputs and effort over time. A landscape designer considers all the necessary aspects, including botanical, spatial, seasonal, and temporal considerations before adding a stylish touch that creates the garden's soul.

By working with a landscape designer during the planning process, you can save both money and time. It's less expensive to explore design options early on than to change your mind during installation or after completion. At the end of the landscape design process, a set of documents is produced that serves as the blueprint and information source for your project. These documents will help you obtain comparable bids from landscape contractors, whether you choose to develop your site in a single project or in phases over time.

Collaborating with a landscape designer allows you to develop a master plan that fits your site and budget, select the best materials and plants, and find solutions for any specific issues with your property, such as privacy or noise. Additionally, a landscape designer offers access to high-quality plants at a significant discount from retail costs and can provide ongoing advice as your garden develops. With a landscape designer on board, you can be confident that you'll realise your garden's vision and make the most of your outdoor space.

Start by getting in touch with a designer or landscape architect you connect with, whether it's us or another company. Look at social media and reviews and see if they are a good fit for your values and needs.

It's best to simply give a quick explanation of your intentions when getting in contact, whether by email or phone. Having everything ready will help the procedure go more smoothly for you. For a residential home, you'll typically require house designs and an accurate site survey. It's also a good idea to prepare a list of requirements, collect some examples of your favourite styles to show Nicki, and consider your budget.

It's not necessary for you to know everything precisely when you begin; it's our job to help you out.

After you get in touch, we'll arrange a time for Nicki to visit the location and evaluate the conditions, aspect, and approach in accordance with the brief.

After the consultation, you will receive an Inspiration Board that details the design brief, and a quote that details the process for the design, and the expenses involved.

If all of your boxes are ticked, then we can start the journey to your beautiful garden!

3D garden designs provide the perfect platform for capturing the tone and ambience of your future outdoor space. With these designs, you can virtually "sit" in your garden and truly visualize how it will look. Not only do these designs ensure that you and your designer are on the same page, but they also offer you the opportunity to envision the final outcome.

Gone are the days when backyard alternatives had to be modelled on paper, taking up a lot of time and effort. These possibilities now only require a few clicks. With 3D designs, you can observe how light, and shade will travel over your garden, how planting will be impacted by the seasons, how different areas look with lighting, and how plants will develop over time. You'll also be able to determine the size and placement of structural features.

If you're planning new construction, you can view a detailed rendering of your home's exterior long before it's built. Moreover, even for existing properties, we can demonstrate how modest improvements, paint colours, and additions can enhance and transform their appearance.

Thanks to the final 3D models, your construction company will be able to fully comprehend the design intent of each landscape element. So why not explore the possibilities of 3D garden designs and bring your dream outdoor space to life?

Garden brainstorming sessions - An affordable option and a great start for those who just want to get ideas or DIY Gardeners.

Full Landscape Design including 3D - A detailed and complete landscape design solution for your garden. Nicki will work with you to put together a brief and then create a realistic 3D garden design that will allow you to virtually "sit" in your garden and truly visualize how it will look. At the end of the landscape design process, a set of documents is produced that serves as the blueprint and information source for your project. These documents will help you obtain comparable bids from landscape contractors, whether you choose to develop your site in a single project or in phases over time.

Yes, absolutely! As a landscape designer, I understand that small outdoor spaces can be just as challenging and rewarding as larger ones. In fact, designing a small area requires a great deal of creativity and attention to detail to maximize every inch of the space as well as the expertise on finding the right plants for the area.

Yes, I offer a Garden Brainstorming Session. An affordable option and a great start for those who just want to get ideas or DIY Gardeners.

https://www.nickikinglandscapedesign.com.au/garden-brainstorming-session

Book online HERE

See “What is the Landscape Design Process” below.

Yes, I can definitely help you work within a limited budget. One of the main roles of a landscape designer is to design a plan that is both beautiful and functional while also being mindful of the budget constraints of the client.

I can also provide guidance on how to phase a project over time, allowing you to spread out the costs and complete the project in stages as your budget allows.

Overall, hiring a landscape designer can be a valuable investment, especially if you have a limited budget, as we can help you make the most of your available resources while still achieving your desired outcome.

I can certainly try! I can recommend plants that are easy to care for, hardy, and can withstand the local climate. For example, native plants are often a good choice since they are adapted to the local environment. Plant information sheets are also included on every plant in your design so you have the basic care details for your plants.

I can also recommend Garden Maintenance people who can come and do regular maintenance and upkeep to ensure your garden stays looking its best. Good for people who are time-poor or would like a little help. Getting someone in to help with the maintenance is a small outlay for the peace of mind that your garden is going to be looked after.

Yes - As a landscape designer, creating a garden that can withstand the wear and tear from kids and pets requires careful planning and consideration. To achieve this, I suggest selecting sturdy plants that can handle heavy foot traffic and occasional pet digging. It's also important to create designated play areas and incorporate hardscaping elements like pathways, walls, and fences to define spaces and protect the garden from damage. Adding fun elements for pets to keep them entertained and not destroying the garden through boredom is a garden saver. Additionally, it's important to choose non-toxic plants to avoid any potential harm to children and pets.

1 – Click BOOK NOW

2 – Initial meeting with Nicki to discuss your dream garden

3 – Nicki creates an Ideas Board for your dream garden and sends you a quote

4 – You say YES and pay your deposit

5 – Nicki completes a site assessment of your property

6 – Nicki creates and delivers 3D renders of your dream garden

7 – You discuss any amendments you’d like before Nicki finalises your landscape design

8 – Nicki delivers the final plans of your dream garden

Yes, I offer Brainstorming Sessions for garden advice, planting layout ideas and plant suggestions.

All of Adelaide and South Australia.

Design is our passion and expertise, but we understand that managing a landscape construction project can be overwhelming. That's why we work with some of Adelaide's top landscapers who can handle your project from start to finish and will oversee subcontractors for significant projects such as pool construction, concrete work, stone masonry, and more.

Once we complete your design, we will refer you to the construction company that best fits your project needs. We'll provide them with the plans to quote on the cost of construction. We are happy to communicate with anyone involved in the construction process at any point, and we take pleasure in monitoring the project's progress and addressing any design-related questions.

No, as this can sometimes vary depending on the construction process chosen but you will have a full set of documents that will help you obtain comparable bids from landscape contractors, whether you choose to develop your site in a single project or in phases over time.

The time it takes to create a garden design can vary depending on a few different factors. For example, if the garden is large and complex, or if the design style requires a lot of planning and attention to detail, it may take longer to create the design. It's also important to consider the time it takes to assess the site's soil, topography, drainage, and other factors through a process called site analysis. Additionally, the more involved the client is in the design process, the longer it may take to create a design. Being creative is similar to creating an art piece in that it can take time to develop. Finally, the designer's availability can also affect the timeline.

Overall, the time it takes to create a garden design can range from a few weeks to months, depending on these factors. It's important to allow enough time for the design process so that the final result meets your expectations and functional needs.

One round of revisions is included in the design process at the concept stage before the plans are put together however it is really important to have a clear idea of what are your must-haves and have-nots in the beginning and make sure the Inspiration board captures exactly the look, feel and elements you are wanting. This is what is used to design the space so it is best to take more time getting this right, in the beginning, can save you time and money in the long run. If you need additional revisions beyond the first round, they will be charged at a rate of $110.00 per hour.

The cost of a garden design can vary depending on several factors, such as the size and complexity of the project, the location, and the scope of services provided.

Typically, full garden designs can range from between $1500 to $8000. After your initial site visit a full quote showing all costs associated with the design will be sent.

Overall, investing in a professional garden design can be a worthwhile investment that adds value and enjoyment to your outdoor space for years to come.

Of course! I am an absolute animal lover so this is naturally a big part of my design process as pets need to enjoy the space also. Plants that are not harmful to animals, elements to create interest and reduce boredom as well as appropriate fencing, shade and toileting spaces. I have created custom-made spaces for cats, chickens, dogs, rabbits and horses and love to work with clients to create spaces for their pets.

Yes, while all gardens require some maintenance, I can absolutely plan a garden that requires minimal maintenance. One of the key elements of designing a low-maintenance garden is to choose plants that are suitable for the local climate and soil conditions, and that require little water and care.

For example, choosing native plants that are adapted to the local environment can help reduce the need for watering and fertilization. Additionally, using low-maintenance materials such as mulch, gravel, or stone can reduce the amount of weeding and mowing required.

Other design elements that can reduce maintenance include grouping plants with similar water and light requirements together, using automatic irrigation systems, and incorporating hardscape features such as paths, patios, or decks.

I can also recommend Garden Maintenance people who can come and do regular maintenance and upkeep to ensure your garden stays looking its best. Good for people who are time-poor or would like a little help. Getting someone in to help with the maintenance is a small outlay for the peace of mind that your garden is going to be looked after.

Yes – part of the site assessment process is making sure I identify the types of plants you have and want to keep and their specific care requirements. This includes any commemorative shrubs or trees, plants you love, significant trees and working in Root Protection Zones and maintaining habitat for wildlife.

The amount of time required from you for a garden design project is not too much! Initially, we'll need some time together to gather ideas and meet for the initial site visit. We may need to occasionally follow up with a phone call or email to confirm details and to organise the site assessment. 1 - 2 hours for the site assessment but don't worry, if you're not available, we can still manage this on our own.

For the concept meeting, we use Zoom and it usually takes about an hour. Any revisions to the design plans can also be done via email, making it a convenient and hassle-free process for you. We understand your time is valuable, so we strive to make the design process as efficient and stress-free as possible.

Absolutely not! The design plans are yours to keep, and you can implement them at your own pace whenever you're ready.

Yes, you can absolutely take on the design construction yourself. Many clients have coordinated the purchasing of the materials, organised the labour (maybe your brother is a carpenter), and ensured that the design is installed correctly. You may even want to do the planting yourself and leave the rest to the professionals.

If you're considering a DIY landscape project, it may be wise to consult with a landscape professional to ensure that the design is safely and efficiently implemented. It may require a certain level of knowledge and skill to ensure that the design is executed properly, especially if it involves features like retaining walls or water features that are subject to local regulations or zoning laws. They can offer valuable guidance and expertise that can save you time and money in the long run.

As a garden designer, I love creating little pieces of paradise that benefit both humans and animals alike. Designing a garden is not only a fun and creative activity, but it's also a way to make a sanctuary where my clients can come home and unwind, create lasting memories, and connect with nature.

I believe in using native plants in my designs, as they can create a sustainable and low-maintenance space that supports local wildlife and ecosystems. By doing so, I can help my clients create a beautiful outdoor space while also making a positive impact on the environment.