Cost calculator
Garden landscaping cost calculator
Garden projects overrun more often than any other domestic work, because the ground is unknown until it is opened and because scope grows once the space starts to look good. Phasing and a written schedule of work solve most of it.
Total area being landscaped, including hard and soft areas.
Broad trade availability keeps day rates near the national average.
Estimated range, ex VAT
£7,850 – £25,500
- Labour (typical)
- £9,150
- Materials (typical)
- £7,500
Guidance only. A real quotation depends on site conditions, specification and access — which is exactly what an independent review of your own quote will tell you.
What affects the cost
Level changes
Retaining walls are structural and expensive — sometimes £350–£700 per linear metre once foundations and drainage are included.
Hard-to-soft ratio
Paving, decking and walls cost several times more per m² than lawn and planting beds.
Access
No rear access means machinery cannot get in and everything is barrowed — this can add 25–40% to labour.
Drainage and ground
Heavy clay, high water tables and existing land drains change the whole build-up.
Planting and lighting
Mature specimen planting, irrigation and low-voltage lighting are significant separate budgets.
Regional pricing differences
Materials cost roughly the same everywhere in the UK; labour does not. Use the region selector above to apply a local index — London and the South East typically run 15–30% above the national average, while the North East, Northern Ireland and Yorkshire sit below it.
Labour vs materials
Roughly 55% of this type of work is labour and 45% materials. Landscaping is labour and plant hire heavy. Retaining structures and paving are the biggest material costs.
Common hidden costs
- Spoil removal — level changes generate tonnes of material with real disposal costs.
- Tree work: felling, stump grinding and TPO checks before anything else can start.
- Utility searches before excavating near supply routes.
- Aftercare — irrigation, replanting failures and maintenance in the first year.
How to save money
- Phase the project: structural and hard landscaping first, planting and lighting later.
- Keep hard landscaping to the areas you will actually use and put lawn or planting everywhere else.
- Reuse excavated soil on site as terracing rather than paying to remove it.
- Ask for a schedule of works with quantities so you can compare quotes properly.
Frequently asked questions
How much does landscaping a garden cost?
A modest rear garden makeover typically £7,000–£18,000; a full design-and-build with levels and structures £25,000–£70,000+.
Should I use a designer?
For gardens over roughly £20,000, a designer usually saves more than the fee by preventing rework and improving quotation quality.
How long does a garden project take?
Four to ten weeks for most domestic gardens, longer where retaining structures need curing time.
When is the best time to landscape?
Hard landscaping any time; planting is best in autumn or early spring for establishment.
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