How to check a designer's past work before you commit

A garden designer's track record tells you more than their website ever will. You're about to invest time and money into a space you'll live with for years, so verifying that someone can actually deliver what they promise isn't paranoid—it's essential.

The best designers don't just have pretty photos; they have traceable, real work you can validate. That means past clients willing to talk, finished gardens you can visit if possible, and proof they're operating legitimately. This guide walks you through the concrete checks that separate reliable practitioners from those who look good on paper but deliver disappointment.

Request recent site visits with current clients

Asking to visit a completed garden is the single most revealing step. A designer confident in their work will welcome it; evasion is a red flag. When you visit, you're not judging taste—you're observing execution. Do the plantings look healthy and established? Are pathways level and properly finished? Has the design held up, or does it look neglected?

Ask the client how the designer handled the handover. Did they explain maintenance? Were there snags after completion, and how quickly were they addressed? A finished garden also shows you real weather conditions—how a design performs through a load-shedding summer or winter frost matters far more than a photo.

Confirm their professional standing and insurance

Before anything else, ask for proof they're registered with the relevant professional bodies. Request their membership number or certificate—don't just take their word. Check they carry public liability insurance; this protects you if someone's injured on your property during the project.

Verify their company registration with CIPC if they're a registered business, or confirm their tax status with SARS if they're self-employed. A designer running legitimately will provide this without hesitation. If they push back or become vague, that's reason to pause.

Call and question previous clients systematically

A reference list is only useful if you actually phone people. Choose at least two clients and ask the same questions of each:

• Did the final result match what was proposed?
• How did the designer handle changes mid-project?
• Were they punctual and communicative?
• Did the cost stay within the original quote, or were there surprises?
• How long ago was the work finished, and how well has it aged?
• Would you hire them again?

Pay attention to hesitation or vague answers. Genuine satisfaction comes through clearly. If a client says "it took longer than expected" or "we had to talk about costs," probe gently—sometimes that's just honest process, sometimes it reveals poor planning.

Study their portfolio for consistency and context

Don't just look at finished photos; ask what the garden looked like before. A designer who transforms a bare plot into something lush is demonstrating different skills than one working with existing mature trees. Before-and-after shots matter because they show scope and problem-solving, not just aesthetic taste.

Notice whether their work varies or falls into a narrow style. If every garden looks identical, that's a warning they might force their vision onto yours rather than listen. Ask specific questions: "How did you solve drainage here?" or "What happened when the client changed their mind halfway through?" Real experience shows in the details.

Also check the dates on their portfolio work. Very recent projects suggest they're actively taking on jobs; very old ones might mean they've stepped back. Ask them directly which projects they'd consider their best recent examples and why.

Close the loop with a written agreement

Before you sign anything, confirm every check has been done. By this point you should have visited a site, spoken to past clients, verified their registration and insurance, and reviewed their portfolio carefully. That groundwork means your design agreement can focus on what you've learned about how they work, not anxious guesswork.

When you're ready to move forward, Strove's verified designer listings mean these background checks are part of the vetting already—but running through them yourself remains worthwhile. You're hiring someone to shape a major part of your home; that investment deserves proper due diligence.