Diamond Landscaping

Diamond Landscaping, landscaping and garden design in Surrey

Diamond Landscaping is a garden design and landscaping company based in Surrey that works in Surrey, Hampshire and South London. Its activity ranges from soft and hard landscaping to the construction and complete transformation of outdoor spaces, with a focus on making the most of the garden's potential so it can be enjoyed all year round.

The company was founded in 1996 by Steve Preston, who originally trained as a graphic designer and steered his career towards gardening. From its base in Surrey it operates within a 50-mile radius of Woking and, it states, can also work further afield depending on the size and suitability of the project.

Soft landscaping services

The soft landscaping service catalogue includes planting and plant procurement, lawns — including artificial lawns —, rockeries and terracing, chipped stone areas and alpine gardens, irrigation and land drainage, site clearance and preparation, groundworks and grading, and cultivation and topsoiling. It also creates water features such as streams and water courses with bridges and islands, formal ponds — including raised water features and koi ponds —, natural ponds and compost areas, as well as tree work.

Hard landscaping and outdoor structures

In hard landscaping, the company builds patios, terraces and paths, swimming pool surrounds, driveways and entrances, raised beds and planters, installation of sculptures and ornaments, and lighting. It constructs wooden structures such as pergolas and gazebos, sheds, greenhouses, beach huts, cabins, playhouses, storage units, kennels, decking and carports. It also creates entertainment areas with fire pits, barbecue areas and garden seating, as well as fencing, gates, trellis, screens — including acoustic screens —, picket fences and metal fences. In stonework it builds retaining walls, freestanding walls, dry stone walls and arches.

Design, construction and transformation

The company undertakes design and build projects, new builds, transformation of existing gardens and planting schemes. It works with the client from initial concept through to construction and planting, and offers professional advice throughout the project. Its design criteria take into account the client's lifestyle and their interest in or knowledge of gardening, so it can propose low-maintenance schemes when required.

Working method and client relationship

Diamond Landscaping describes a process based on transparency and communication. It offers a free, no-obligation quotation service: it visits and assesses the site, listens to the client's goals and presents detailed costs. It plans each stage of the project in advance to meet the brief and take into account practical aspects and costs, and involves the client in design and product choice decisions, including visits to nurseries or stone suppliers to compare finishes. During execution, the company manages the project and keeps the client informed so they know what is happening at each stage.

The company states that it works with a network of suppliers selected for their reliability in quality, service and value, and that it strives to minimise disruption during works. It also declares that, in the event of a dispute or defective work, it acts to reach a satisfactory resolution. It has public liability insurance of £1,000,000.

Quotations, payments and guarantees

According to the information published, the cost of a project cannot be determined without visiting the site and knowing what the client wants; if there is a prior budget, the company designs and plans according to it. Once the quotation is accepted, a written contract is formalised with the payment terms, which includes a deposit before starting work and staged payments depending on the size of the project. Changes in materials or layout may affect the cost and the company informs of the financial implications before continuing. The company also works in the winter months, with shorter working days due to reduced daylight, and points to that period as suitable for planning new schemes. After the garden is completed, it carries out an inspection visit and schedules any necessary remedial work. The company takes responsibility for removing waste materials and recycles those that are suitable.

Team and professional approach

The company highlights the continuous training of its team and its intention to help restore the status of the skilled craftsman. Its photographs correspond to gardens executed by Diamond Landscaping and its testimonials come from real clients; it also offers the possibility of visiting one of those gardens.