Frequently asked questions

The easiest way is to fill in the contact form on our Contact page or send us an email directly at info@dogmasfundamentos.com. We typically respond within one business day. There is no commitment required at this stage — just a conversation.

The first conversation — whether by email or phone — is entirely free. If a site visit is required to assess the project properly, we discuss the terms beforehand. Our goal is to understand your project before any fees are discussed.

It helps to have a rough idea of the size and location of the outdoor space, what you would like to achieve, and any specific requirements such as budget range or timeline. If you have photos or rough measurements, those are useful too — but none of this is essential for a first conversation.

We work on a wide range of projects: private residential gardens, villa terraces, courtyard spaces, pathways and paving, planting schemes, ornamental features, and larger-scale grounds for residential developments and commercial properties.

Whether the space is intimate or expansive, we approach each project with the same attention to detail.

Yes. We offer a full-service approach: from the initial concept and detailed design drawings through to contractor coordination, site supervision, planting, and final handover. Clients may also commission design only if they have their own contractors in place.

Absolutely. If the hard landscaping is already in place and you need a considered planting scheme — specifying plants by type, size, spacing, and seasonal interest — we can provide that as a standalone service, adapted to your local soil and climate conditions.

Upon completion of every project we provide a personalised aftercare guide covering watering schedules, seasonal pruning, soil care, and long-term management advice. For clients who require ongoing support, we can also arrange periodic site visits as part of a separate aftercare arrangement.

Timelines vary considerably depending on project size, complexity, and whether planning permissions are involved. A straightforward garden redesign with planting may take four to eight weeks from briefing to completion. Larger projects with extensive hard landscaping and construction can run for several months. We provide a clear project schedule at the briefing stage.

Yes — this is a fundamental part of our process. We present concept designs for your review and discussion before developing anything in detail. Revisions are welcomed at the concept stage. Once the design is approved and signed off, we move to detailed drawings and construction planning.

Yes. For detailed design packages we produce 3D visualisations that give you a realistic impression of how the finished space will look — including materials, planting, and lighting where applicable. These are included in the detailed design phase and are a useful tool for reviewing spatial proportions and material choices before construction begins.

We are based in Tavira but work across the Algarve region and southern Portugal. For larger projects we are also open to working further afield — please get in touch to discuss your location and we can advise accordingly.

Our fees depend on the scope and complexity of the project. We typically provide a fixed-fee proposal for the design phase once we have understood the brief and visited the site. Construction management, if required, is agreed separately. All costs are set out clearly before any work begins — there are no hidden charges.

We work within the budget you set. Having an honest conversation about budget early in the process allows us to design something achievable, make informed choices about materials and planting, and avoid surprises during construction. There is no minimum budget required to work with us — we scale our approach to the project.

We favour plants that are well-suited to the local Mediterranean climate — drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and attractive throughout the year. This often includes native and adapted species such as lavender, rosemary, cistus, agapanthus, bougainvillea, olive trees, carob, and various ornamental grasses. We always tailor planting choices to the specific soil, aspect, and irrigation conditions of each site.