How much does landscaping cost?
Everyone dreams of basking in the summer heat, sipping cocktails or hosting a backyard BBQ party and the only thing stopping you is a rundown garden. With the warmer months upon us, it is time to start getting our gardens in top shape. Whether it’s a quick touch up or a total revamp, landscaping can enhance the look and use of your garden. All it takes is a little TLC to get your gardens ready to welcome the summer sun!
Landscaping Job Costs
Although the cost of each landscaping job can vary due to size of the area, location and tradesperson, here is the average cost for most landscaping projects to give you an idea on how much each job will cost:
|
TYPE OF JOB
|
AVERAGE COST |
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Trimming Hedges/ Trees
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£60 to £90 |
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Levelling
|
£800 |
|
Fencing
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£500 to £1000 |
|
Garden Wall
|
£500 to £1000 |
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Garden Shed
|
£500 to £1200 |
|
Turfing
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£500 to £1500 |
|
Decking
|
£800 to £1500 |
|
Patio
|
£900 to £2000 |
|
Pond Installation
|
£500 to £4500 |
Labour costs and timescales
There are different timescales depending on the type of landscaping job you choose. However, the same rule applies: the longer it takes to complete a job, the more expensive it will be. Smaller jobs like hedge trimming and turfing a small 10m2 area can usually be completed within a few hours. Depending on the size and fence you choose a new eight panelled fence can take between 1 to 2 days to install. Larger fences can take up to 5 days to install. Decking can take between 2 to 4 days to complete depending on the extent of excavation needed.
The average garden shed, and walls can take between 1 to 2 days but can vary depending on the size. Patios are one of the more complex landscaping jobs and can be completed in as little as 2 days or for larger areas it can take up to a week to finish. Smaller ponds can be installed within a few days, however for a larger, luxury pond it can take up to 2 weeks.
Although this is a rough guide on the timescales for each landscaping job, factors such as location, complexity of job, number of tradespeople and repairs can increase the price, so it is best practice to get an estimated quote before you hire a landscaper.
Some landscapers may charge a job by the hour for smaller jobs like hedge trimming which is approximately £15 to £45 per hour. Other jobs like decking, fencing, patios, and garden walls are charged per square metre with prices ranging from £20 to £50, £20 to £40, £75 to £100, and £250 to £800 respectively. If the job is priced per day, then labour costs can range between £100 to £300 depending on the type of landscaping job.
Additional Costs
Sometimes pricing a landscaping job isn’t as easy as it seems. There are many additional factors that affect the total cost of a landscaping job. These include:
Location
Your location can affect how much a landscaping job will be. Generally, people in the South of England and in or around London will be expected to pay more for a landscaping job than those in the North of England.
Planning
It is best to collaborate on a plan with your landscaper before starting any garden job to ensure that the end product will live up to expectations. Building regulations and planning permission can also impact the cost as before making any drastic changes to your garden, it is best to check with your local council if any planning permission is needed. There are usually fees associate with a planning permission application, but it is less costly than changing a finished project if it does not comply with building regulations.
Excavation and Garden Clearance
For decking, patios or pond installations, the area needs to be prepared before any feature is installed. The removal of excess soil and levelling are usually charged at around £100 to £200 a day. Garden clearance is a service offered by most landscapes as they will clear away any old patio, decking, flowers, or fencing so that you don’t have to. This is charged at around £70 per hour, so it is best to add any clearance fees to your total cost, so you have a more accurate estimated cost.
Supply Costs
If you are looking to supply the materials for a landscaping job yourself then these are the average supply costs for each project:
Turf
There are different types of turf that all come with different price points. The cheapest option of turf is a budget general-purpose turf which costs between £2 to £4 per square metre. This lawn type is easy to maintain but is not as long-lasting as premium lawn turfs. Hard wearing turf is slightly more expensive and durable at £5 to £7 per square metre and is mainly used for football and rugby pitches as it is made up of 60% ryegrass. The premium lawn turf costs around £7 to £10 per square metre and if you have the budget is perfect for bringing your garden to life with its bright green appearance and durability.
Decking
Depending on your budget, there are many different options for wooden decking. On the cheaper end, soft wood decking is one the more popular choices and costs £3 to £6 per square metre. Next is hardwood at £4 to £10 per square metre. Wooden decking is quite susceptible to wood rot, so if you want to avoid this then you can choose composite or PVC decking. PVC decking is slightly cheaper at £5 to £10 per square metre, in comparison to composite decking which is £8 to £12 per square metre.
Fencing
Lap fence boards are the cheapest fencing option at £15 to £20 with trellis panels at £16 to £20 following closely behind. For slatted, feather edge and concave fencing you will be looking at £30 to £40 each. Convex and weaved fences offer a more durable fencing option but also come at a higher price: £40 to £60 each.
Patios
Patio slabs make up patios and there are many on the market to choose from. Lower priced options such as manufactured and sandstone flags cost £15 to £30 and £18 to £22 per square metre respectively. If you are looking for a higher end patio material such as textured flags or stone paving, then this can cost as little as £40 and up to £90 per square metre. These flags are often more durable and are of a higher quality therefore the higher price tag.
Ponds
Ponds can be a great feature in any garden, but they are a more costly project. An average pond costs around £100 to £200 per square metre, whereas fibreglass ponds cost between £90 to £150 per square metre. For raised ponds which include a small, brick wall, you will be looking to spend around £350 to £400 per square metre.
Garden Walls
Although bricks are the most common material for garden walls there are many other types to choose from. These are coping stone, £15 to £75 per square metre, concrete blocks, £40 to £60 per square metre and facing bricks, £45 to £80 per square metre.
For a more durable wall, the best material would be the traditional brick which costs between £50 to £250 per metre square. Other durable materials include natural stone at £60 to £120 per square metre and sandstone, £70 to £130.
Garden Sheds
If you are looking for extra storage place in your garden, then a garden shed is the perfect solution. With space to store garden equipment, furniture or as a garden office a garden shed is the perfect addition to any garden as it can be designed to add to the look of your garden. A budget shed with a slab base will cost between £500 to £600. A concrete based shed will cost slightly more ranging between £550 to £700.
