How Much Does Landscaping Cost in 2026?
Most UK homeowners pay between £3,000 and £10,000 for a garden landscaping project. A basic garden tidy-up with new turf starts from around £1,500, while a full redesign with patio, planting, and fencing typically runs £5,000–£15,000 depending on garden size and materials.
£8,500
Average cost
£2,000+
Basic makeover
£5,000+
Full redesign
£200–£300
Landscaper day rate
Prices updated April 2026 · Based on industry data and contractor submissions.
Landscaping Prices at a Glance
Prices below cover common garden landscaping projects, including labour and materials unless stated otherwise.
Garden clearance
Removal of overgrown vegetation, old fencing, and waste
£600
£300 – £1,500
New lawn (turf)
Ground prep and turf laying for a medium garden
£1,200
£600 – £2,500
Planting scheme
Border plants, shrubs, and small trees, supplied and planted
£1,500
£500 – £3,000
Garden levelling
Regrading uneven ground, topsoil, and compaction
£1,800
£800 – £3,500
Basic garden makeover
New lawn, tidy borders, basic fencing, no hard landscaping
£3,500
£2,000 – £5,000
Full garden redesign
Design, hard and soft landscaping, patio, fencing, planting
£8,500
£5,000 – £15,000
Premium garden project
Bespoke design, premium materials, water features, lighting
£18,000
£12,000 – £30,000+
Cost by Garden Size
| Garden Size | Basic | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small garden (up to 50m²) | £2,000 – £4,000 | £4,000 – £7,000 | £7,000 – £12,000 |
| Medium garden (50–100m²) | £3,500 – £6,000 | £6,000 – £12,000 | £12,000 – £20,000 |
| Large garden (100–200m²+) | £5,000 – £10,000 | £10,000 – £18,000 | £18,000 – £35,000+ |
Labour Cost Breakdown
| Trade | Cost |
|---|---|
| Landscaper / garden builder | £200 – £300 |
| Groundworker | £180 – £250 |
| Labourer | £120 – £180 |
| Garden designer | £500 – £2,500 |
| Tree surgeon | £300 – £500 |
| Electrician (outdoor lighting) | £200 – £350 |
Day rates are for labour only. Materials, skip hire, and plant costs are additional.
Material Costs
Common materials and what they cost. Your landscaper will usually source these, but buying direct can save 15–30%.
| Material | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Turf (supply only) | £3 – £8 per m² |
| Artificial grass | £15 – £35 per m² |
| Topsoil | £25 – £45 per tonne |
| Decorative gravel | £40 – £80 per tonne |
| Raised bed sleepers | £15 – £35 each |
| Fencing (supply and fit) | £80 – £150 per panel |
| Skip hire (8-yard) | £250 – £400 |
Considering artificial grass? Artificial grass costs £45–£85 per m² fully installed, including ground prep and weed membrane. It removes the need for mowing and watering, but quality varies a lot - cheap artificial grass looks cheap. Budget at least £20/m² for the grass itself if you want something that looks halfway realistic.
What Affects the Cost of Landscaping?
Garden size and shape
The bigger the garden, the more materials and labour you need. An awkwardly shaped garden - L-shaped, sloped, or with difficult access - takes longer to work and costs more per square metre than a simple rectangular plot. Rear gardens with no side access for machinery add time because everything has to be carried through the house or over a wall.
Scope of work
A basic tidy-up (clearance, new turf, tidy borders) is a fraction of the cost of a full redesign with patio, raised beds, retaining walls, and specimen planting. Hard landscaping — anything involving concrete, paving, or structural work — is always more expensive than soft landscaping like lawns and borders. For larger projects, consider using a BALI-registered landscaper (British Association of Landscape Industries) for added peace of mind.
Ground conditions
Clay soil, tree roots, old concrete under the surface, or poor drainage all add cost. A sloped garden that needs terracing or retaining walls is significantly more expensive to landscape than a flat one. If the ground needs levelling, expect groundwork costs of £30–£60 per m² depending on how much soil needs moving.
Access
If a mini-digger can get into the garden, groundwork is faster and cheaper. If everything has to be dug by hand and carried through the house, labour costs increase substantially. Scaffolding or crane access for large materials (sleepers, stone) adds further cost in tight spaces.
Materials and finish
Natural stone paving costs two to three times as much as concrete slabs. Hardwood decking costs double softwood. Premium turf costs twice budget rolls. The material specification is usually the single biggest variable in any landscaping project after garden size.
Your location
Landscaper day rates are 25–35% higher in London and the South East than in the North or Wales. Materials cost roughly the same everywhere, but delivery charges can vary. The further you are from a builders merchant, the more you pay for delivery of bulk materials like gravel and topsoil.
Turfing Costs
Laying a new lawn is one of the most common landscaping jobs. The total cost depends on the size of the area, the quality of turf, and how much ground preparation is needed.
| Lawn Size | Turf Only | Supplied & Laid |
|---|---|---|
| Small (30m²) | £90 – £240 | £450 – £900 |
| Medium (60m²) | £180 – £480 | £900 – £1,800 |
| Large (100m²) | £300 – £800 | £1,500 – £3,000 |
Prices include ground preparation, topsoil where needed, and laying. If the existing lawn needs stripping first, add £3–£6 per m² for removal and disposal.
Landscaping Costs by Region
Average prices for a mid-range garden landscaping project (new patio, lawn, borders, and fencing) by UK region.
| Region | Average Cost | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| London | £11,500 | +35% |
| South East | £9,800 | +15% |
| South West | £9,000 | +6% |
| East of England | £9,200 | +8% |
| Midlands | £8,500 | Average |
| Yorkshire | £7,800 | -8% |
| North West | £7,900 | -7% |
| North East | £7,200 | -15% |
| Scotland | £7,600 | -11% |
| Wales | £7,400 | -13% |
Based on industry data. Prices for a mid-range garden landscaping project, fully installed.
How to Get Your Landscaping for Less
Garden projects are one of the easiest home improvements to save money on, because there are so many places where small decisions make a big difference.
Get three quotes and compare scope, not just price
Landscaping quotes vary enormously because the scope varies. One landscaper might include topsoil and turf in their price while another quotes labour only. Ask each to break down materials and labour separately so you can compare properly. The cheapest quote often excludes things the others include.
Book in autumn or winter for better rates
Spring and summer are peak season for landscapers - they are busiest and can charge more. Booking hard landscaping work for late autumn or winter often means shorter waiting times and sometimes lower day rates. Just avoid periods of heavy frost for paving and concrete work.
Phase the work over two or three stages
You do not have to do everything at once. Start with the hard landscaping (patio, paths, fencing) in year one, then add planting and a lawn the following spring. This spreads the cost and lets you live with the layout before committing to the detail. Many landscapers are happy to work in phases.
Do the clearance and prep work yourself
Removing old plants, digging out roots, and clearing waste is back-breaking but not skilled work. If you are physically able, doing the clearance yourself and hiring a skip saves a full day or more of landscaper labour - that is £200–£300 you keep. Just make sure the site is ready before they arrive.
Choose low-maintenance planting
Native shrubs, perennials, and ground cover plants cost less to buy, establish faster, and need less ongoing maintenance than exotic or specimen plants. The Royal Horticultural Society has excellent guides on plants suited to UK soil types and climates. Avoid anything that needs constant watering or annual replacement.
Source materials yourself where practical
Landscapers typically mark up materials by 15–30%. Buying turf, topsoil, gravel, and sleepers directly from a builders merchant or online supplier can save a decent chunk. Turf in particular is much cheaper bought direct. Just arrange delivery timing with your landscaper so it does not sit around and dry out.
What to Expect: The Landscaping Process
A typical garden landscaping project takes 1–3 weeks depending on scope. Here is the usual sequence.
- 1
Site visit and design
A good landscaper will visit your garden before quoting — look for TrustMark-registered landscapers. They will assess the ground conditions, access, drainage, and take measurements. If you are using a garden designer, they will produce a detailed plan before any work starts. For simpler projects, most landscapers can work from a sketch and discussion.
- 2
Site clearance
Existing vegetation, old fencing, broken paving, and any waste is removed. A skip is usually needed at this stage. If there are trees to remove, a tree surgeon may be required - most landscapers subcontract this.
- 3
Groundwork and drainage
The ground is levelled, compacted, and shaped according to the plan. Any drainage runs, soakaways, or French drains are installed at this stage. If a patio is included, the sub-base is laid and compacted. Outdoor lighting cables are also run before surfaces go down.
- 4
Hard landscaping
Patios, paths, decking, raised beds, retaining walls, and fencing are all installed. This is typically the longest phase and the most weather-dependent - paving should not be laid in freezing conditions or heavy rain.
- 5
Soft landscaping
Soil is prepared for planting areas and lawn. Borders are planted with shrubs, perennials, and ground cover. Turf is laid or seed is sown. Beds are mulched to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
- 6
Finishing
Edging is installed, gravel areas are filled, outdoor lighting is connected, and a final clean-up is done. New turf needs watering daily for the first two weeks and should not be walked on for at least three weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does garden landscaping cost in the UK?
Garden landscaping in the UK typically costs between £2,000 and £15,000, depending on the size of the garden and the scope of work. A basic tidy-up with new turf costs from £1,500. A full garden redesign with hard landscaping, planting, and new lawn runs £5,000–£15,000 for a medium-sized garden. Large or complex projects with premium materials can exceed £25,000.
How much do landscapers charge per day in the UK?
Most landscapers charge between £200 and £300 per day depending on experience and location. In London and the South East, day rates run £250–£350. In the North and Wales, expect £180–£250. A labourer or groundworker assisting will cost £120–£180 per day on top.
How much does turfing cost per m²?
Turfing costs £15–£30 per square metre supplied and laid, depending on turf quality and ground preparation needed. Budget turf runs £3–£5 per m² for supply only, while premium turf costs £6–£10 per m². Ground preparation and laying labour typically adds £10–£20 per m².
How much does a garden designer cost?
Garden design fees typically range from £500 to £2,500 for a small to medium garden, and £2,000–£5,000+ for larger or more complex projects. Some designers charge a flat project fee, others charge £50–£100 per hour. A design-only service without project management is cheaper but means you coordinate the build yourself.
How much does garden clearance cost?
Garden clearance costs £300–£800 for a small garden and £500–£1,500 for a medium to large garden, depending on the amount of vegetation and waste. Skip hire adds £200–£400 on top. If trees need removing, budget £300–£1,500 per tree depending on size and access.
Is landscaping worth the investment?
Good landscaping can add 5–15% to a property's value according to estate agents. A well-designed, low-maintenance garden makes a strong first impression and appeals to buyers. The key is not to over-capitalise - spending £30,000 on a garden for a £250,000 house is unlikely to pay back in full. Focus on a tidy lawn, decent patio or decking, and mature planting.
What is the best time of year to landscape a garden?
Autumn (September–November) is ideal for planting as the soil is still warm and rain does the watering. Spring (March–May) is the busiest season for landscapers, so you may wait longer and pay slightly more. Hard landscaping - patios, decking, fencing - can be done year-round but is best avoided in heavy frost or prolonged rain. Summer is fine for hard landscaping but not ideal for turfing as new turf needs regular watering.
Do I need planning permission for landscaping?
Most garden landscaping falls under permitted development and does not need planning permission. Exceptions include paving over more than 5 square metres of front garden with non-permeable materials (you need permeable paving or drainage to a lawn area), building walls or fences over 2 metres high (1 metre if next to a highway), and any work in a conservation area or on a listed building. Always check with your local council if you are unsure.
Written by Sarah Mitchell, Less.co.uk home improvement specialist
Last updated: · Pricing based on industry data and verified contractor submissions · Methodology
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