Always be wary of the designer or contractor who’ll be around later. Most successful professionals and trades people are in demand, and as such you might have to wait.

Typically, after contact has been made, a site visit will be arranged within the following two weeks and depending on the level of complexity, a design proposal should be ready for review with a week or two. I usually insist that clients take at least a week after reviewing a design in order to absorb it fully. It’s good to have some friends around and get as much input as possible. Time spent considering options is time well spent.

When a designed has been fully agreed and any revisions made, then it’s time to get a quote for the installation (NB; most designers will be able to provide you with a rough estimation of likely costs). I typically work with the same contractors, who I trust and whom I know will provide value for money. There are a lot of cowboys out there so make sure you check their credentials before they start work.

An average suburban garden with paving/features/planting etc should take between 5-10 working days to install. But remember, this is Ireland and the weather doesn’t always work in contractor’s favour.