Garden Landscaping Cost UK — Prices Per m² and Day Rates
If you are wondering about the average cost of garden landscaping in the UK, you are not alone. It is one of the most searched questions by homeowners planning a garden makeover. The answer depends on several factors: garden size, materials, your location, and the complexity of the work.
In 2026, landscaping prices range from around £2,000 for a basic garden tidy-up to £20,000+ for a full garden transformation. This guide covers every major landscaping job with current UK price ranges per m2, regional differences, day rates, and the factors that push costs up or down.
Garden landscaping costs at a glance (2026)
| Cost Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Average garden makeover | £3,000 - £15,000 |
| Per m2 (basic to mid-range) | £60 - £150/m2 |
| Per m2 (premium) | £150 - £300+/m2 |
| Landscaper day rate (sole trader) | £200 - £350/day |
| Landscaper day rate (team of 3) | £550 - £900/day |
| Typical project duration | 3 days - 6 weeks |
These are national averages. London and the South East cost 25-40% more. Scotland, Wales, and the North tend toward the lower end.
How much do landscapers charge per day in the UK?
Most landscapers price jobs by the day rather than per hour. Here is what to expect in 2026:
- Sole trader landscaper: £200–£350/day
- Landscaper + labourer (two-person crew): £380–£550/day
- Full landscaping team (3 people): £550–£900/day
- Landscape architect or designer: £400–£700/day
London and the South East add 20–35% to these rates. For a full breakdown including hourly rates, see the table below.
"A well-executed garden makeover is one of the few home improvements that can return more than it costs. A £10,000 landscaping project routinely adds £15,000 to £20,000 in property value, particularly when it creates usable outdoor living space." - Mark Ellison, chartered surveyor and RICS member
Landscaper day rates in the UK
Most landscapers price larger jobs by the day rather than hourly. Here are typical 2026 day rates:
| Crew Type | Day Rate | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Sole trader landscaper | £200–£350/day | Labour only, no materials |
| Landscaper + labourer | £380–£550/day | Two-person crew |
| Landscaping team (3 people) | £550–£900/day | Faster on large jobs |
| Specialist (landscape architect/designer) | £400–£700/day | Design + project management |
London and the South East typically add 20–35% to these rates. In Scotland, Wales, and the North, expect rates toward the lower end.
Hourly rates: If a landscaper quotes hourly, expect £25–£50/hr for a sole trader and £40–£75/hr for a two-person crew. Most prefer day rates for any job over 4 hours.
If you are a landscaper looking to send professional, itemised quotes from site, Jobnix lets you build and send branded PDF quotes in under 2 minutes from your phone. For current day rate benchmarks across all trades, see our UK tradesman day rates guide for 2026.
Patio and paving costs
Patio installation is one of the most-requested landscaping jobs. Prices are quoted per m² (supply and fit) and vary significantly by material:
| Patio Material | Price per m² (supply + fit) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete slabs (standard) | £55–£90 | Budget option, durable |
| Indian sandstone | £80–£130 | Popular, warm tones |
| Porcelain paving | £100–£160 | Low maintenance, premium look |
| Granite setts | £90–£140 | Very durable, traditional |
| Block paving | £70–£120 | Flexible design options |
| Limestone | £90–£150 | Premium, requires sealing |
| Slate | £100–£160 | Contemporary look |
Example costs for a 20m² patio:
- Budget (concrete slabs): £1,100–£1,800
- Mid-range (Indian sandstone): £1,600–£2,600
- Premium (porcelain): £2,000–£3,200
These prices include excavation to 150–200mm, sub-base compaction, sharp sand bed, laying, and pointing. Prices increase for complex patterns, curves, or difficult access.
What affects patio cost?
- Existing surface: Removing an old patio adds £300–£700 in labour and skip hire
- Ground conditions: Soft, uneven, or clay soil needs more sub-base and compaction
- Drainage: If the patio drains toward the house, a drainage channel adds £200–£500
- Access: No rear access = all material wheelbarrowed through the house (adds 15–25% to labour)
- Steps: Each step adds £150–£350 depending on material
Driveway costs
| Driveway Type | Price per m² | 50m² Driveway | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel (loose) | £25–£50 | £1,250–£2,500 | 5–10 years |
| Tarmac (macadam) | £50–£80 | £2,500–£4,000 | 20–30 years |
| Block paving | £70–£130 | £3,500–£6,500 | 25–40 years |
| Resin bound | £60–£100 | £3,000–£5,000 | 15–25 years |
| Pattern imprinted concrete | £65–£105 | £3,250–£5,250 | 20–30 years |
| Exposed aggregate concrete | £75–£120 | £3,750–£6,000 | 25–40 years |
Note: Driveways that drain to public highway may need a permeable surface or kerb drain under Permitted Development rules. Resin bound and gravel are naturally permeable.
Fencing costs
| Fence Type | Per panel (supply + fit) | Per metre run |
|---|---|---|
| Lap panel (standard) | £120–£180 | £65–£110 |
| Featherboard / closeboard | - | £80–£130 |
| Picket fence | - | £60–£100 |
| Trellis topper (on existing fence) | £40–£70 | - |
| Timber acoustic fence | - | £120–£200 |
| Metal railings | - | £150–£350 |
- Concrete posts: Add £15–£30 per post over timber posts (longer lifespan)
- Gravel boards: Add £20–£40 per panel (prevents rot at base)
- Gate (supply + fit): £180–£500 depending on size and material
A typical 20m fence run with lap panels and concrete posts: £1,400–£2,200.
Turfing and lawn costs
| Job | Price per m² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turf supply + lay | £15–£25 | Includes ground preparation |
| Lawn seeding | £5–£10 | Cheaper but takes longer to establish |
| Artificial grass (basic) | £55–£80 | Includes membrane and infill |
| Artificial grass (premium) | £80–£120 | Thicker pile, better appearance |
| Lawn scarification + overseeding | £3–£6 | Renovation, not replacement |
| Lawn levelling | £8–£15 | Topsoil + levelling labour |
Turf prices include removing the old surface, rotovating, levelling, laying, and an initial water. It does not include post-installation watering. New turf needs daily watering for 2 to 3 weeks.
Decking costs
| Decking Type | Price per m² | 20m² Deck |
|---|---|---|
| Treated softwood (pressure treated) | £80–£130 | £1,600–£2,600 |
| Hardwood (hardwood boards, e.g. Balau) | £120–£180 | £2,400–£3,600 |
| Composite (mid-range) | £130–£180 | £2,600–£3,600 |
| Composite (premium, e.g. Trex, Millboard) | £180–£280 | £3,600–£5,600 |
- Raised deck: Add £500–£1,500 depending on height (extra structural posts and joists)
- Balustrade/railing: £100–£250 per linear metre
- Steps: £200–£500 per flight
- Built-in seating/planters: £300–£800 each
Tree surgery prices
Tree work requires a qualified arborist. Prices vary considerably by tree size, species, and access:
| Job | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Crown reduction (small tree) | £150–£350 |
| Crown reduction (large tree) | £400–£1,200 |
| Tree removal (small, up to 5m) | £200–£500 |
| Tree removal (medium, 5–10m) | £500–£1,200 |
| Tree removal (large, 10m+) | £1,200–£3,500 |
| Stump grinding | £100–£400 |
| Hedge trimming (per metre run) | £8–£20 |
| Hedge removal (per metre run) | £20–£60 |
Always check whether a tree has a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) before quoting removal. Work on TPO trees without permission carries a fine of up to £20,000.
Garden clearance and waste removal
| Job | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Small garden clearance (up to 25m²) | £150–£400 |
| Medium garden clearance (25–50m²) | £350–£700 |
| Large garden clearance (50m²+) | £600–£1,500+ |
| Skip hire (6-yard) | £250–£400 |
| Man + van waste removal (per load) | £150–£300 |
Other landscaping job costs
- Garden wall (brick, per m²): £150–£300
- Raised beds (railway sleepers, each): £250–£600
- Pergola (supply + fit): £1,500–£5,000
- Outdoor lighting: £500–£2,500 (depends on number of points)
- Irrigation system: £1,000–£4,000 for a typical garden
- Water feature (pre-made): £500–£2,000 installed
- Pond installation: £2,000–£8,000+ depending on size
- Garden room / shed base: £600–£1,500
- Rotovating (per hour): £60–£100
- Topsoil (per tonne, delivered): £60–£120
Full garden transformation costs
A complete garden redesign combining hard landscaping, planting, decking or patio, fencing, and lighting is a significant project. Here's what to expect for different garden sizes:
| Garden Size | Budget Redesign | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (up to 30m²) | £3,000–£6,000 | £6,000–£12,000 | £12,000–£25,000 |
| Medium (30–80m²) | £6,000–£12,000 | £12,000–£25,000 | £25,000–£60,000 |
| Large (80m²+) | £12,000–£25,000 | £25,000–£60,000 | £60,000+ |
Regional price differences
Location has a significant impact on landscaping costs in the UK. Here is how prices vary across regions compared to the national average:
| Region | vs National Average | Typical Day Rate | Example: 20m2 Patio (Sandstone) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | +25 to 40% | £300-£500 | £2,000-£3,600 |
| South East (Surrey, Kent, Herts) | +15 to 25% | £250-£420 | £1,850-£3,200 |
| South West, East Anglia | Broadly average | £200-£350 | £1,600-£2,600 |
| Midlands, Yorkshire | -5 to 10% | £180-£320 | £1,450-£2,400 |
| North West, North East | -10 to 15% | £170-£300 | £1,350-£2,200 |
| Scotland (cities) | Near average | £200-£350 | £1,600-£2,600 |
| Scotland (rural) | Variable (travel adds cost) | £180-£300 + travel | £1,500-£2,500 |
| Wales | -10 to 20% | £160-£280 | £1,300-£2,100 |
London rates are driven up by congestion charges for vans, parking restrictions, and higher labour costs. Rural Scotland can be surprisingly expensive due to travel time and material delivery costs.
"The biggest surprise for most homeowners is access. If we cannot get a mini digger to the rear garden, everything has to be done by wheelbarrow. That alone can add 20% to the labour cost, and it is not something you can tell from a phone quote." - Tom Barlow, director at GreenScene Landscaping, Manchester
What affects landscaping costs?
Beyond the job itself, several factors consistently push prices up or down:
- Access: No rear access means everything is wheelbarrowed through the house or over the property. Expect to add 15–25% on labour for poor-access jobs.
- Ground conditions: Clay soil, rock, or waterlogged ground adds excavation time and cost. Hard fill or rock may require a breaker, adding £200–£600/day for plant hire.
- Drainage: Poor drainage needs resolving before hard landscaping goes down. French drain systems cost £800–£2,500 depending on size.
- Slope: Terracing a sloped garden adds significant structural work (retaining walls, steps). A moderate slope can double the cost versus a flat site.
- Existing surfaces: Removing concrete, old tarmac, or a previous patio adds skip hire, breaking, and disposal costs.
- Time of year: Landscapers are busiest April–September. Booking out of season can save 10–15%, and ground conditions are often better for laying patios in dry weather.
- Materials specification: Porcelain costs roughly double concrete slabs. Composite decking can cost 2x softwood. Material choice is often the biggest cost lever.
- VAT: Most landscaping work attracts standard rate VAT (20%). Check whether your contractor is VAT-registered. Non-VAT-registered sole traders may quote lower as a result.
Whether you are comparing quotes as a homeowner or building them as a landscaper, having a clear cost breakdown makes everything easier. Jobnix helps landscapers create detailed, itemised quotes with phased pricing that customers can accept with a single tap.
How to save money on garden landscaping
Landscaping is a significant investment, but there are ways to bring costs down without compromising on quality:
- Do the soft landscaping yourself. Planting, turfing, and laying mulch are tasks most homeowners can handle. Saving on labour for these elements can cut 15-25% off a mid-range project.
- Use phase planning. Spread the project over two or three years. Do the expensive groundwork and hard landscaping in year one, then add planting and finishing touches in subsequent years.
- Choose seasonal timing. Book landscaping between October and March. Landscapers are quieter, materials suppliers offer deals, and dry weather in autumn is ideal for laying patios.
- Keep existing hard surfaces where possible. If your old patio is structurally sound but looks tired, consider power washing, re-pointing, or overlay paving rather than a full dig-out and re-lay.
- Substitute materials intelligently. Indian sandstone and porcelain look similar, but concrete slabs with a good sealer can achieve a similar look for 30-40% less. Gravel grids over a compacted base look premium and cost a fraction of paving.
- Buy plants from wholesale or grow your own. A garden centre charges a 200-400% markup on plants. Buy perennials and shrubs from wholesale nurseries, or grow from cuttings and seed for a fraction of the cost.
- Get three quotes, but not just on price. The cheapest quote often misses items. Ask every landscaper to break down groundwork, drainage, waste removal, and plant hire separately. Compare like-for-like.
- Minimise waste disposal costs. If you have space, hiring a skip yourself costs roughly half what a landscaper charges for the same skip through their supplier.
Does garden landscaping add property value?
Yes - and for once, a home improvement can genuinely pay for itself. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) estimates that well-executed garden landscaping can add 5% to 20% to a property's value, depending on location, quality, and the type of improvements made.
For the average UK home worth around £285,000, that is a potential uplift of £14,000 to £57,000 from a £10,000 landscaping project. Even in less expensive areas, a well-presented garden typically adds more value than it costs.
The best ROI comes from:
- Patios and outdoor dining areas - extend the living space of the home
- Low-maintenance gardens - appeal to time-poor buyers who want a garden, not a weekend job
- Good boundary fencing - clear property lines matter to buyers
- Outdoor lighting - creates kerb appeal and extends garden use into the evening
- Artificial turf - especially for small gardens where maintenance is disproportionate to space
Planning permission for garden landscaping
Most garden landscaping falls under permitted development rights and does not require planning permission. But there are important exceptions:
| Work Type | Permission Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Patio, paths, standard paving | Usually no | Permitted development if no closer than 2m to a boundary |
| Driveway (permeable surface) | Usually no | No permission needed for permeable paving |
| Driveway (non-permeable, over 5m2) | Yes | Must drain to lawn/soakaway, not hard surface drain |
| Walls or fences up to 2m high | Usually no | Permitted development applies within limits |
| Walls or fences over 2m | Usually yes | Full planning application needed |
| Retaining walls over 1.5m (varies) | May be required | Check with local authority |
| Garden buildings (sheds, studios) | Usually no (under 15m2) | Must be single storey, under 2.5m eaves height |
| Listed buildings or conservation area | Almost always yes | Even repointing may need consent |
| Work on TPO trees | Yes, always | Fines up to £20,000 for unauthorised work |
| Swimming pools | May be required | Depends on size and location |
Always check with your local planning authority before starting work. Most councils offer a pre-application advice service for a small fee. It is far cheaper than enforcement action.
Natural turf vs artificial grass: which is cheaper?
| Factor | Natural Turf | Artificial Grass |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per m2 (supply + fit) | £15-£25/m2 | £55-£120/m2 |
| 50m2 garden cost | £750-£1,250 | £2,750-£6,000 |
| Annual maintenance cost | £200-£500/year | £50-£150/year |
| Lifespan | 20+ years (with care) | 15-25 years |
| Water requirement | High (daily in summer) | None |
| Weeding required | Yes, regularly | Minimal (leaf removal only) |
| Mowing required | Yes, fortnightly in season | None |
| Pet-friendly | Very good | Good (washable, but gets hot in sun) |
| Environmental impact | Absorbs CO2, supports biodiversity | Plastic; not biodegradable |
| Looks and feel | Natural, soft, improves with age | Consistent; can look artificial in premium company |
Artificial grass costs 4-5x more upfront but saves £150-£350 per year in maintenance. Over 20 years, natural turf typically costs £5,000-£10,000 in maintenance (mowing, feeding, weed control, re-turfing patches). Artificial grass costs £2,000-£4,000 in maintenance over the same period.
Decking vs patio: which is better value?
| Factor | Timber Decking | Paving/Patio |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per m2 (mid-range) | £100-£180/m2 | £80-£160/m2 |
| 50m2 area cost | £5,000-£9,000 | £4,000-£8,000 |
| Annual maintenance | £100-£200/year (clean, oil, stain) | £50-£100/year (jet wash, re-point) |
| Lifespan | 15-25 years (treated softwood) | 30+ years (paved correctly) |
| Slip resistance | Good when dry; can be slippery when wet | Good (textured slabs); excellent with resin joints |
| Installation speed | Faster (2-3 days for 50m2) | Slower (5-7 days for 50m2) |
| Raised level changes | Easy to create raised areas | More complex structural work |
| Drainage | Natural gaps between boards | Needs fall/gradient away from house |
| Pet-friendly | Claws can damage surface | Excellent; easy to clean |
For most UK gardens, a patio is the lower-maintenance, longer-lasting choice. Decking makes most sense for sloped sites where you need to create level areas, for elevated terraces, or where you want to connect a raised level to the house (e.g. a deck that meets a back door at 600mm height).
Typical garden landscaping project timescales
| Project | Duration | Team Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small patio (15-20m2) | 2-4 days | 2 people | Excavation, sub-base, lay and point |
| Medium patio (30-50m2) | 5-8 days | 2-3 people | Includes complex pattern or steps |
| Fence replacement (20m run) | 1-2 days | 2 people | Concrete posts recommended |
| Full garden turfing (50m2) | 1-2 days | 2 people | Includes ground prep, topsoil, turf laying |
| Garden clearance | 1-3 days | 2 people + skip | Depends on volume of waste |
| Full patio + fencing + turfing | 1-2 weeks | 2-3 people | Standard mid-range makeover |
| Complete garden redesign | 2-6 weeks | 3+ people | Depends on size, scope, and weather |
| Large garden with drainage issues | 4-8 weeks | 3-4 people | Drainage work adds significant time |
Weather is the biggest variable in landscaping. Heavy rain delays excavation, prevents laying turf, and can wash out pointing compound. Spring and early autumn offer the best balance of dry weather and moderate temperatures for most groundwork and paving.
How to get the best landscaping quote for your garden project
Getting the right landscaper at the right price is about more than finding the cheapest quote. Here is how to make sure you get value, quality, and a job that finishes on time:
- Always get three quotes. More than two feels like hassle; fewer means you have no comparison. Aim for quotes from three different contractors, ideally with different backgrounds (one sole trader, one small team).
- Ask for a site visit, not a phone quote. Any landscaper who quotes without seeing the garden will get it wrong. Either the price will balloon when they see the reality, or they quoted too high and you overpaid. Insist on a site visit.
- Ask for itemised quotes. A single line that says "garden landscaping - £8,000" tells you nothing. Request a breakdown: groundwork, drainage, materials, labour, skip hire, plant hire, and contingency. This lets you compare like-for-like.
- Check what is included and excluded. Does the quote include waste disposal? Does it include a membrane beneath paving? Does it include re-instating the lawn after groundwork? These items can add £500-£2,000 to a project if you did not know to ask.
- Ask about groundwork specifically. Groundwork is where most landscaping budgets go wrong. Ask: "What happens if you hit rock or poor ground?" A good landscaper will have a contingency clause. A bad one will add surprise costs mid-project.
- Ask for references and photos of previous work. Specifically, ask to see a job of similar size and scope to yours. A landscaper who does beautiful small gardens may not have the crew for a full redesign.
- Check insurance. Public liability insurance (minimum £2m) is essential. Ask for a certificate. If they do not have it, do not use them.
- Get it in writing. A quote, scope of works, payment schedule, start date, and expected duration should all be documented. A WhatsApp message is not a contract and offers you no protection.
- Understand the payment structure. A 20-30% deposit on acceptance is standard - this covers materials ordering. Be suspicious of any landscaper who asks for more than 50% upfront or who will only accept cash.
- Plan for phased payment. Agree milestones: groundwork complete, landscaping complete, final snagging. Only pay when each stage is signed off.
For tradespeople who want to send professional, itemised quotes from site, Jobnix lets you build and send branded PDF quotes in under 2 minutes from your phone.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to landscape a garden in the UK?
A basic garden tidy with new turf and planted borders starts from £1,500–£4,000. A full redesign with new patio, fencing, decking, and planting typically costs £8,000–£30,000+ depending on size and specification.
How much does a landscaper charge per day in the UK?
A sole trader landscaper charges £200–£350/day. A two-person crew is £380–£550/day. London and the South East add 20–35% to these rates.
Is it worth getting a landscaper?
For major work (patios, driveways, retaining walls, tree surgery), yes. Mistakes are expensive and dangerous to fix. For simpler soft landscaping, an experienced gardener is often sufficient and cheaper.
How long does garden landscaping take?
A patio installation typically takes 2–5 days. A full garden transformation can take 2–6 weeks depending on the scope and size.
Do I need planning permission for landscaping?
Most garden landscaping is permitted development and doesn't require planning permission. Exceptions include: driveways over 5m² with non-permeable surfacing (needs planning), listed buildings, conservation areas, and work affecting TPO trees.
Ready to win more landscaping jobs with professional quotes? Jobnix lets you build itemised quotes on-site, send PDFs instantly, and track jobs from first enquiry to final invoice - all from your phone.