Andrew Williams was recommended to us by a mutual friend. We asked him if he would quote for replanting and redesigning our front and back gardens and pond. His approach was extremely professional and thorough. To do so he began by taking us around the garden, questioning us about what we wanted it to look like, (colour, shape), what functions we wanted the garden to perform (eg, screening, beauty, smell etc). He made notes. He then surveyed all areas of planting, identifying the plants and their precise positions. Andrew then drew up a map of how things were and then drew his proposed design on tracing paper, which could overlay it. This process made clear the changes and how they would be effected. He modified the plan according to our requests, even doing so halfway through marking it out on the lawn, in response to a panicked amendment about space for football. Pictures and a pen-portrait of all the plants involved accompanied the plans. He provided a fully costed out quotation, based on the work to be done, not hours spent here. We found Andrew to be very honest and completely reliable. He was always on time, even on Sundays and he never left early without explaining. He worked extremely hard and took only brief breaks. He did not avoid physically hard work and, in fact, embraces it as a challenge. The weather was terrible for much of his time here but it did not stop him. The way he managed the project showed that he understood that success rested on full preparation of the site. When he made an agreement he stuck to it. He made great efforts to keep costs down and always cleared it with us if he found himself having to spend on tool hire etc. It emerged from conversations that Andrew has been a groundsman at Windsor and was head gardener at the London residence of the Sultan of Oman for 12 years. This was clearly the source of his amazing knowledge. And experience. The work was completed before time and under budget. We are delighted with what he has done and we are looking forward to spring and summer when his work will start to come alive. I would wholeheartedly recommend Gardens of Distinction to anyone. Andrew charges a fair price for a very professional, reliable and knowledgeable service. David Finnegan