Before requesting quotes for a garden renovation in Ibiza, prepare a brief that states what you want to change, what should stay and how the garden will be used. Bring photographs and any existing plans to the site visit. Ask each provider to price the same scope, including irrigation, installation and care after planting.
This guide is for owners planning changes to a villa or finca garden, including those who manage the property from abroad. Use the two checklists below to organise the discussion before committing to a design or purchasing plants.
Start with the problem you want the renovation to solve
Describe what is difficult about the current garden: an exposed terrace, a planting bed that is hard to reach, an unclear route to the pool or too much routine work when the house is empty. A useful brief connects each proposed change to the way the space is used.
- Keep: identify trees, views, walls and usable features you want to retain.
- Change: list the areas that need a different layout, planting or irrigation assessment.
- Prioritise: separate essential work from ideas that could wait for a later phase.
Include reference images, but explain the feature you like in each: privacy, a seating arrangement, planting texture or a material. The garden design service can then address your requirements alongside the actual conditions on site.
What to bring to a garden design site visit
Gather any property plans, previous planting drawings and irrigation information you already have. Take photographs of each area and note where you observe strong sun, shade, wind or water collecting after rain. Tell the designer which months the property is occupied and who can provide access when you are away.
A rough sketch helps explain your ideas; it does not replace a measured survey. The Royal Horticultural Society's garden planning guide explains how an accurate plan records the garden's shape and existing features. Ask which measurements and technical assessments are needed for your project and whether they are included in the design fee.
Show the current irrigation controller and available documentation, and point out known leaks or areas that are regularly too wet or dry. Ask for an assessment of the existing system before assuming it must all be replaced. See our irrigation service for the work we offer in Ibiza.
A project brief you can copy into your notes
Fill in these points before the visit. Unknowns are useful too: mark them as questions for the designer instead of guessing.
| Decision | What to write down |
|---|---|
| Use of the garden | Who uses it, occupied months and the areas used most. |
| Keep and change | Existing features to retain and problems to address, in priority order. |
| Planting and water | Preferences, observed site conditions and what is known about irrigation. |
| Maintenance | Who will care for new planting, visit arrangements and access when away. |
| Timing and access | Preferred work period, other works, guest bookings and delivery constraints. |
| Budget and approval | Your spending limit, essential first phase and the person approving changes. |
Share the same brief with every provider. For a property managed remotely, agree who approves the planting plan and substitutions, how progress will be recorded and which decisions require your approval.
How to compare garden renovation quotes
Two totals are only comparable when the included work is clear. Ask for exclusions and optional items in writing. A quote for planting alone cannot be compared directly with one that also includes design, removal of existing materials and irrigation work.
| Part of the project | Check the scope |
|---|---|
| Design | Survey, drawings, visualisations, planting specification and revision allowance. |
| Preparation | Removal, disposal, soil preparation and protection of retained features. |
| Plants and materials | Species, quantities, supplied sizes, material specifications and delivery. |
| Irrigation | Existing equipment retained, new components, installation and testing. |
| Handover and care | Instructions, establishment visits, responsibility for watering and replacement terms. |
| Commercial terms | Taxes, payment stages, exclusions and the procedure for approving additional work. |
If the budget requires phasing, ask for an essential first phase and clearly separated optional work. Confirm that the sequence makes practical sense, especially where planting depends on preparation or irrigation work. The brief helps define a quotation; it is not a substitute for an inspection or an agreed specification.
Plan for the garden after installation
Plant choice should reflect the soil, exposure and individual areas of the property. The RHS drought-resistant gardening guide emphasises assessing these conditions and watering new plants while they establish, including plants described as drought tolerant. A new garden therefore needs an agreed care plan from the start.
Ask who checks watering and plant condition when the villa is unoccupied, and how problems will be reported. The garden maintenance team can discuss ongoing care. For an approach to planting and outdoor layout, explore our landscaping service in Ibiza.
Questions before you commission the work
Can I request a quote before I have a complete design?
You can discuss the brief and arrange a visit. Ask which items can be estimated at that stage and which need a survey or design specification before a reliable execution quote can be prepared.
Should I replace all the existing plants?
Make retention part of the brief. Ask the designer to assess condition, suitability and how existing planting fits the proposed layout before agreeing what to remove.
Do I need 3D drawings?
They can help you assess views and layout. Confirm which visualisations are included and which technical drawings define quantities and installation details; these serve different purposes.
Can I manage the project while outside Ibiza?
Agree site access, a local contact, progress updates and approval responsibilities before work starts. Identify who can authorise changes and how they will be documented.
Is maintenance included in a renovation quote?
Check the offer. Establishment care and continuing maintenance may have different scopes or prices. Ask for the visit schedule and watering responsibilities to be stated explicitly.
Discuss your garden renovation with ServiJuanito
Bring your brief to a garden design visit. We can discuss the layout, planting, irrigation and ongoing care around the needs of your Ibiza property. Contact ServiJuanito to discuss your garden.
Editorial sources: RHS, Creating your garden plan; RHS, Drought-resistant gardening. Consulted 8 October 2026. The planning and comparison checklists above are an original ServiJuanito editorial guide.