Redesigning our garden - newbie's first question!

That one is a bit like 'how long is a piece of string'. Depends where you live and what you actually want. I'd put together a clear remit and ask for quotes from at least three reputable designers. Ask around to see whom other folk have used and if they were happy with them.

If you live somewhere like London or Edinburgh you will possibly have to pay more than if you live in a smaller town but the only way you wil know is to ask for quotes.

Hi, Gewds and welcome to GoYland. We don't know very much about you yet so any advice should be treated with caution.
There are some good, even very good, garden designers out there but many more poor ones. If you are going to employ one ask to look at previous jobs they have done.
Now, what age group are you in? If you are fit enough then I would very much recommend designing and building your own garden. It will be far more satisfying. The one advantage (?) of hiring the professionals is that it will happen more or less overnight. Believe me, it doesn't have to. Moongrower and I have been in this house for almost twenty years and we are still building and changing things. We find this to be far more satisfactory than having had someone do it all for us.
That is quite enough for this message. I am sure that we will all be contributing many pieces of advice.

You don't say how steep the garden is, and that will make a difference to the price ,but here in London, I'd anticipate costs anywhere between £4,000 up to £10,000 if its necessary to involve a landscape architect because the slope is steep. Don't let that put you off though - contact at least 3 companies, as said above, and see what they say - you don't have to take up their quotes- and make sure you get quotations and not estimates (which are not legally binding and might more usefully be called guesstimates.) Ask the people who quote to direct you to their website (they should have one) or ask to see a portfolio of their work, or whether they have previous clients nearby so you can drive round and have a look. Don't be nervous about this - they want your business, and you're paying, so you're entitled to make sure you've got a good company/landscaper, and that you are going to get what YOU want, not what they think is best.

Good advice from Bulbaholic and Bamboo - remember 'he who pays the piper calls the tune'

Well.....stap me vitals!!!! I didn't know that Moon grower and Bulbaholic were "an item".........you live and learn.......lol

An 'item'... well that would have been 40 years ago... lol

the item or the one with the ring on her fingerand the one with the ring through his nose' plus Bamboo have given you good advice, but I favour what bulbaholic said that is what it is all about WE did this' pick every ones brain look at other gardens get some idear's have a go, sorry you two just could not resist lol

I think you are looking at closer to £20 000 + You can get a block of paving done for about £5 000 these days.

I would hire a landscaper to do the leveling but the planting is the fun bit - DIY is the way to go there :)

So long as you are reasonably fit I'd do as much as possibly yourself Gedwds. Having a landscaper come in and create the garden in oner is not nearly as much fun as doing it bit by bit yourself.

I agree with VP and MG get the difficult hard lanscaping done but choose and plant yourself other wise you will not know whats what and how to care for them. You can get advice on what to plant, you can see what grow well locally and visit gardens to see what you like.
My tip woul be dont buy all your plants at one nursery or in the same month or your garden may only look good 1 month of the year.