The honest answer is "it depends" — so here's exactly what it depends on, what a good quote includes, and how to compare prices fairly.
Anyone who quotes a firm price for a garden without seeing it is guessing. The cost of a real landscaping project depends on the size and condition of the plot, the materials you choose, and how much groundwork, clearance, and drainage it needs. Two gardens the same size can be thousands of pounds apart.
Rather than give you a number that turns out to be wrong, here's what actually drives the price — so when you do get a quote, you'll understand every line of it.
A single fence repair, a new patio, and a full garden redesign are wildly different jobs. Most landscaping is priced by the work involved rather than a flat rate, so the more there is to do — and the larger the area — the higher the overall cost.
Natural stone and porcelain paving cost more than concrete; composite decking costs more upfront than softwood but lasts longer; close-board fencing differs from panel fencing. The material you pick is one of the biggest levers on the final price, and it's worth weighing upkeep and lifespan, not just the sticker.
A flat, well-drained plot is quicker to work than a sloping one that needs levelling, retaining walls, or steps. Patios and driveways need a properly prepared sub-base and the right falls so water runs away — skimping here is the fastest route to a surface that sinks, cracks, or pools.
Stripping out an overgrown garden, removing old paving, decking, or tree stumps, and disposing of the waste is labour a clear site doesn't need. Starting from a blank plot is quicker than clearing first.
If a digger and materials can reach the garden easily, the work moves faster. Rear gardens reached only through the house or a narrow side passage mean more is moved by hand, which takes longer and feeds into the cost.
Soft landscaping — topsoil, turf or seed, plants, beds, and mulch — adds to the materials and the labour. Mature specimen plants cost more than young stock, and a fully planted scheme is more than just laying a lawn.
Driveways and large patios may need extra drainage, soakaways, or permeable surfaces to meet planning and stop run-off. It's not always obvious from a quick look, so a proper site visit avoids surprises later.
Buying your own paving, decking, or plants versus having us arrange supply through trade suppliers changes the materials line of your quote. We're happy to advise either way before you commit.
Tell us about your garden and we'll visit, see the space, and give you a clear, no-obligation quote — every line explained.
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