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Costs can vary widely depending on materials, design complexity, labour, and location, with average projects ranging from £5,000 to £15,000. Careful planning, realistic budgeting, and seasonal timing can significantly affect the outcome and cost-efficiency.
Developing a great-looking and efficient garden is something everyone in the UK wishes they had. However, how much will it set me back? Gardening involves far more than throwing flowers around the place. Design, material, labour, and planning down the line, too. Cost can vary between garden size, type of job done, and geographical area. In this guide, we examine everything that affects garden landscaping prices in the UK. We dissect costs for various elements, from patios and turf to lighting and garden rooms. This detailed dissection will help you to create a realistic budget.
Garden landscaping refers to altering your external area to make it look or function better. This comprises soft landscaping that includes areas planted with flowers, grass, shrubs, or trees. The landscape with construction includes paving and decking, fencing, and construction. Landscaping is as complicated or as simple as you need it to be. It may take such small endeavours as re-turfing a lawn or fixing flowerbeds. Otherwise, the construction of the whole garden would entail excavation, patios, lighting, framework, whatever a low-maintenance garden or a luxury garden room requires. You can turn the outdoors into an area that complements your lifestyle through landscaping.
The best time for landscaping is spring or early autumn. During these seasons, the climate is mild with good planting conditions. Winter is best avoided for most outdoor activities. Cold, damp conditions delay the work and impact plant health. Summer is suitable for hard landscaping but can require additional watering for plants.
The average UK garden landscaping cost varies between £5,000 and £15,000. Both design and installation are included in this price. Small jobs such as these might start at around £1,000. Prestige or large jobs with very individual touches could go up to £30,000 or more. Most homeowners spend on average £100 per square metre. This covers materials, labour, and ground preparation. Additional landscaping might put the price at £150 to £200 per square meter if it requires top finishes or structures.
A professional garden designer is worth hiring as it enhances the end product. Garden designers assist you in selecting the most suitable layout, plants, and materials. Simple garden designs cost between £200 and £600. They comprise scaled 2D plans for planning purposes. 3D visuals or top-quality images would be £500 to £1,500. Garden design services together with project management would vary between £1,000 and over £3,000, depending upon the size and complexity of the garden. Other designers charge from £50 to £100 per hour. Where a project is large, the design charge is usually a percentage of the overall landscaping cost.
Most gardens require clearance before the work starts. It means getting rid of old turfing, cutting back overgrown plants, removing old paving, and clearing out the rubbish. Garden clearance costs between £300 and £1,000, depending on the state of the garden. If skips are needed, a 6-yard skip would cost between £200 and £250. A waste clearance company would charge £60 per load. Access is an important factor. Uneasy access, like narrow staircases or doors, adds labour time and expense. Neglected or overgrown gardens also require more labour and machinery, boosting the overall price tag.
A new lawn enhances the appearance and texture of any garden. Natural turf has a cost between £10 to £20 per square metre when installed. Preparation, topsoil, and turf laying are included in the price. Artificial grass is also a low-maintenance favourite. It is £55 to £75 per square metre. Although artificial turf costs more to start with, it saves on future maintenance. Artificial turf also copes in dark or high-use locations where actual grass does not. Preparing the base for artificial turf involves more time and effort. This is because the ground needs levelling, compaction, and the addition of a weed membrane and aggregate base.
Adding a patio provides you with a solid, clean space for seating or entertaining. Garden paving prices vary with material, design, and size of the area. Concrete slabs are by far the cheapest option at £50 per square metre, excluding labour. Sandstone paving would set you back anything between £60 and £100 per square metre, with porcelain tiles costing anywhere between £80 and £120 per square metre. In simple terms, the final price will depend upon how much preparation work is involved. Uneven terrain or poor drainage adds to labour time. Intricate paving designs like herringbone or circular are also more expensive. Labourers will charge between £100 and £150 per day.
Decking for the garden brings warmth and personality to an area. It suits uneven terrain or raised seating. Softwood decking is the least expensive at £70 - £100 per square metre. Hardwood decking is robust, looks good, and can cost anything between £100 - £150 per square metre. Composite decking is a very good quality product: it is low maintenance and weathers badly at prices between £120 - £180 per square metre. Decking requires a good substructure and fixing, which are other expenses. Installation usually includes weed barriers, supports, and sealants. All of this contributes to higher labour fees.
Garden fencing provides privacy and bounds the area. Closeboard panels cost anywhere from £50 - £70 each, while decorative panels run from £70 - £120 each. Installation would add an extra £30 to £60 per metre, depending on ground conditions and post material. Wooden posts are less expensive, and concrete posts are more expensive but more durable. Garden walls provide a more long-term solution. A basic brick wall begins at £80 per metre, with the more expensive render block walls at up to £150 per metre. Gates, steps, or retaining elements will increase the overall cost.
Raised beds are easier to access and provide better soil control. They range in price from £150 to £500 for timber constructions. Railway sleeper beds from £200 to £800 are size and finish dependent. Brick or stone beds are the most expensive, from £300 up to over £1,000. Planting services from a professional will be between £300 and £1,000, depending on plant numbers and the complexity of the layout. Individual plants accumulate too. Perennials cost £5 to £15 each, shrubs £10 to £40, and trees £30 to £200. Planting native, low-maintenance species keeps expenses low.
Garden lighting enhances security and evening beauty. Solar lighting is the most affordable type, at £10 to £50 per unit. Main lighting should be more durable and adjustable. Fitting prices range from £500 to £2,000, plus fittings and wiring. Spotlights or bollards for feature lights range from £100 to £300 per item. Water features are water walls, ponds, and fountains. A typical fountain will cost between £200 to £500, but a custom-made pond will cost between £1,000 to £5,000. Large cascades or large water walls will exceed £10,000, inclusive of lighting and plumbing.
The garden area will become a year-round retreat if another structure is built in the garden. A wooden pergola can cost between £500 and £2,000, depending on its size and quality. It costs between £1,000 and £4,000 to purchase a good-quality but budget-friendly gazebo. It is ideal to have a multipurpose space in your garden, such as an office or garden room.
Depending on insulation, electrics, and materials, the cost can range from £5,000 to £30,000. Custom interiors, heating, plumbing, and foundations increase the cost. According to the ground and the size of the soakaway, a soakaway can cost between £1,500 and £5,000. The cost of a French drain, which is made up of perforated pipes and gravel, is about £50 to £100 per metre. Planning permission is required for bigger structures, particularly in conservation areas.
Good drainage avoids waterlogging and damage. Simple drainage systems cost £1,000 to £3,000. They are surface channels and gravel soakaways. The cost of a soakaway is £1,500 to £5,000, depending on the ground and volume. French drains, which consist of perforated pipes and gravel, cost £50 to £100 per metre. Bad drainage causes long-term damage and failure of plants. Good drainage, which is an investment, saves money in the long term.
Gardeners working in landscape mostly charge £150 to £250 every day, depending on the location and experience. They charge from £40 to £60 an hour. Specialist trades, such as electricians or bricklayers, charge more. Large teams complete work faster, but you pay more in labour per day. Always request a detailed quote. It should include labour, materials, disposal, and timelines. Check references and past work before hiring a landscaper.
Where you live impacts price. Landscaping in London or the southeast costs up to 25% more than average. High labour rates, material prices, and limited access raise the cost. The North of England, Wales, and Scotland tend to have lower costs. However, remote rural areas may still cost more due to travel or limited supplier access. Always get local quotes. They reflect local labour markets and delivery costs.
Typically, garden landscaping cost per m² is around £80 to £150. This covers labour, standard material, and minimal preparation. Additional complicated designs or high-end finishes can bring the cost up to £200 per m² and more. Calculate your project value by multiplying the square metres of your garden and the average charge. A 50 m² garden, for instance, at £100/m² is approximately £5,000. Always leave something for contingencies such as drainage, poor grounds, or gaining access.
| Landscaping Element | Average Cost per m² / Item | Notes |
| General Landscaping (Basic) | £80 - £150 per m² | Includes turfing, paving, and simple planting |
| High-End Landscaping | £150 - £200+ per m² | Includes intricate design, premium materials |
| Garden Design | £200 - £600 (basic 2D) | £1,000 - £3,000+ for full project design & management |
| Garden Clearance | £300 - £1,000 (per project) | Dependent on garden condition, rubbish volume |
| Turfing (Natural Grass) | £10 - £20 per m² | Includes preparation and laying |
| Artificial Grass | £55 - £75 per m² | Higher initial cost, lower maintenance |
| Paving (Concrete Slabs) | £50 - £70 per m² | Entry-level option |
| Paving (Sandstone) | £60 - £100 per m² | Popular and mid-range option |
| Paving (Porcelain Tiles) | £80 - £120 per m² | High-end material |
| Decking (Softwood) | £70 - £100 per m² | Budget-friendly |
| Decking (Hardwood) | £100 - £150 per m² | More durable and aesthetically appealing |
| Decking (Composite) | £120 - £180 per m² | Long-lasting and low maintenance |
| Fencing (Basic Panels) | £50 - £70 per panel | Installation adds £30 - £60 per metre |
| Fencing (Decorative Panels) | £70 - £120 per panel | Decorative styles and materials |
| Garden Wall (Brick) | £80 - £120 per metre | Standard walling |
| Garden Wall (Rendered Block) | £120 - £150+ per metre | More premium and durable |
| Raised Beds (Timber) | £150 - £500 per bed | Size and wood quality dependent |
| Raised Beds (Stone/Brick) | £300 - £1,000+ per bed | Long-lasting with aesthetic appeal |
| Planting (Professional) | £300 - £1,000 (per garden) | Based on the number and type of plants |
| Plants (Per Item) | £5 - £15 per perennial | Shrubs: £10 - £40, Trees: £30 - £200 |
| Outdoor Lighting (Basic Solar) | £10 - £50 per unit | DIY-friendly, low cost |
| Main Lighting Install | £500 - £2,000+ (per project) | Includes fittings and wiring |
| Feature Lighting | £100 - £300 per light | Spotlights, bollards |
| Water Features (Basic) | £200 - £500 | Fountains and standalone pieces |
| Water Features (Ponds/Custom) | £1,000 - £10,000+ | With lighting and plumbing |
| Garden Room (Basic) | £5,000 - £10,000 | Timber frame, uninsulated |
| Garden Room (Premium) | £15,000 - £30,000+ | With insulation, electrics, plumbing, etc. |
| Pergolas/Gazebos | £500 - £4,000 | Depending on size and material |
| Garden Drainage | £1,000 - £3,000 (simple systems) | Surface drains and soakaways |
| Soakaway Drainage | £1,500 - £5,000 | Based on size and site conditions |
| French Drain Installation | £50 - £100 per metre | Popular underground solution |
| Labour Charges | £150 - £250 per day (per tradesperson) | Specialists may charge more (e.g. electricians, bricklayers) |
You can always make a beautiful garden on a shoestring budget. Proper planning and budgeting enable one to cut unnecessary expenses.
Garden landscaping in the UK offers endless possibilities to enhance your outdoor space, whether you're making simple upgrades or embarking on a full transformation. By understanding each element—like paving, turfing, lighting, and garden structures—you can prioritise what matters most and save where possible. Always compare multiple quotes, factor in contingencies, and consult professionals to ensure your landscaping investment delivers lasting beauty and value.
Costs of various services and materials in this cost guide should be taken as estimates. These depend on location, preference and demands in the market.