What do we offer in the UK?
Over the last seven years
we
have developed two main types of service to
customers in the UK:
The first is
a design and full construction service. We can
manage the entire process from the initial consultation with
you, through the design and technical specifications, to the
construction and final completion of the pond. About 35 of
the 50 ponds we have built have been in this way. There is
also an optional maintenance service afterwards.
The second
option is a design and part-build
construction service. We still carry out the design,
but you or local contractors can carry out some of the
construction elements. Most commonly we would supply and
install the liner and the filtration system (e.g. pumps,
pipework, skimmers, water plants etc.), and you would be responsible for
elements such as excavation, retaining walls, timber and stone
work etc. We have helped build about 15 ponds this way.
How
does the process work?
Whether we do all
the construction work or just part of it, there are
always three stages in building a gartenART natural pool:
1. Design
Consultation (on-site or remote)
2. Design and
Technical Specifications
3. Construction
1.
Design Consultation
The purpose
of a Design Consultation is for us to understand very
clearly what you are looking for, and to understand the requirements of the site -
the location, climate, and the specific local circumstances and
conditions. It is also for us to explain to you how we
work, what is possible, and to inspire you!
If it is
practical to visit you on site we generally recommend this, but
we have also developed a system where the Design Consultation
can be carried out remotely. For more details please see
our International section.
During an on-site
Design Consultation we will:
- Get to know the
existing character of the site as well as the conditions and local
environment, so we can respond to all these factors when
drawing up the design
- Discuss with
you your design ideas and expectations, offering our own knowledge
and suggestions in how to turn your ideas into reality, and showing
you examples of projects we have completed
- Recommend what
is technically possible and advisable based on the conditions,
access, levels etc
- Carry out a
site survey, including levels if necessary, surrounding conditions,
and the location in the larger landscape
- Take a photo
survey of the site to support us during the design process.
After the visit
we will send you a
Design Consultation Report with a sketch design and estimate of the costs and options involved
with your project. This report provides the basis for
proceeding with the Design stage.
Design
consultation fees are as follows:
- All on-site
design consultations within 25 miles of the M25 are free
- 25-75 miles from the M25 are £400 + VAT +
expenses
- Further than 75 miles from the M25 are £600 + VAT +
expenses.
2.
Design and Technical Specifications
The Design stage
involves the production of AutoCAD designs and technical
specifications, and confirmation of project costs (which usually do
not change from the Design Consultation stage), which
all form the basis for the Construction stage.
First we will produce a
concept AutoCAD design and communicate with you by email, phone and post to finalise this so that you are happy to proceed.
Please see examples here.
We then produce all the detailed design documentation and specifications
which will be used by the construction team in
building your natural pool to our specific requirements.
Please see examples here.
We can
explain more about the Design and Construction stages during the
Design Consultation.
3.
Construction Stage
If we are carrying
out the construction
it will take 4-8 weeks to complete, depending on the size and
complexity.If you or local
contractors are carrying out the construction we will always be in
touch to ensure that everything is progressing as planned, and can
visit the site as required.
Maintenance
On completion of
the construction we will give you a maintenance manual which will
explain how everything works and simple tasks which can be carried
out. We always like to be regularly in touch after the construction
to see how each
swimming pond grows and matures over the months
and years.
The maintenance
required for a natural swimming pond is much lower than for a conventional pool as nature itself carries out
most of the cleaning
service. There will however be some basic maintenance required
such as emptying the skimmer,
and the key to maintaining a natural pool is that it receives a
small amount of regular attention. With the most recent
filtration systems we now install maintenance should take no more
than a few minutes every week.
We will also provide you the option for our team to
carry out a service once or
twice a year to
remove sediments and to check the equipment, as well taking care of
proportional growth of suitable plants. We can also visit more
regularly if you wish, or also train you to easily carry all annual
maintenance yourself.
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