Landscaping, Patios

Customer reference for Essential Gardens as told to pickapro by Niamh Marshall from Dalkey, Co. Dublin on 06-Mar-2008

When was the work done?
Between December 2007 and January 2008.

What was involved?
It was pretty extensive. We replaced driveways, paths, extended one patio and built a new patio, new walls and two new ponds. There was overall landscaping and planting as well.

How did you choose Brian O' Hara?
We picked the first three landscape gardeners with websites in the Golden Pages, looked at their websites and asked them all to come and quote for the work. Brian was the only one who responded. It turned out that Brian had done work for two people we knew. So, we went, had a look at their gardens, spoke to them and were happy with what we saw and heard.

Had you definite ideas in mind before you talked to Brian O' Hara?
No, we were pretty open actually. We'd started out just trying to replace a 1940's driveway which was badly cracked and we ended up doing a pretty substantial job on the garden.

Did Brian introduce new ideas?
We pretty much left the design up to him. We told him what were the absolute "must haves" which was really replacing a lot of stuff that was old and broken. And we asked him to come up with a design that was in keeping with the house. It's a 1940's house but we have a very, very modern extension onto it. We explained that we use the garden a lot and that we want to use it even more in the Summer time.

So we really wanted him to try and capture all of that. And we were happy with what he came up with it - we made almost no change to what he suggested.

How did the project run?
I really couldn't fault that at all. He works with a team of people who are probably the best workmen I've encountered - very professional, they turned up on time, worked as long as light permitted, didn't take extensive breaks and tried to keep the place as tidy as possible.

They were incredible actually, in terms of their work ethic. It all went very smoothly, and that's a tribute to them too.

What was the biggest benefit to you?
It's the result - we've ended up with a major enhancement to our house, both visually and in terms of practical usage. We've quite a large garden and this has brought more of it into play.

What's your favourite part now?
Brian has created different zones in the garden, that I see us using as the sun moves around the house and garden.

Would you recommend Brian and Stafford to others?
We would and we have - a friend of ours is using them now.

Any tips for other people?
Try and look at a few pieces of work that other people have done.

Spend time thinking about stone colour.

Don't be afraid to say no - there was one part of the design that we did disagree with and change.

Be there when it starts. The design did include a lot of walls. It was only when we saw them going up that that we realised that we wanted them moved a little.

Try and do a little research on planting and what you want it to look like in terms of coverage and colour.