Average Garden Landscaping Cost in the UK
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.
Garden Design Charges
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.
Garden Clearance Costs
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.
Turfing and Artificial Grass
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 garden 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.
Paving and Patios
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 Installation Prices
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.
Fencing and Garden Walls
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 and Planting Areas
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.
Outdoor Lighting and Water Features
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.
Garden Rooms and Buildings
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.
Garden Drainage Installation
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.
