Garden landscaping is one of those jobs where prices swing wildly. You can spend £500 on new turf and a tidy up, or £30,000 on a complete garden redesign with decking, lighting, and water features. Most people land somewhere in between and overpay because they did not get enough quotes.
This guide breaks down what garden landscaping actually costs in the UK in 2026, job by job, so you know what to expect before anyone turns up with a digger.
A typical garden landscaping job for a semi-detached house costs between £2,000 and £8,000. Basic work like turfing and fencing starts from £500. A full garden redesign with hard landscaping, planting, and features runs £8,000 to £25,000+.
Garden Landscaping Costs at a Glance
| Job | Typical Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| New lawn (turf, 50sqm) | £400 - £800 | 1 - 2 days |
| Patio (20sqm, porcelain) | £2,000 - £4,500 | 3 - 5 days |
| Composite decking (15sqm) | £2,500 - £5,000 | 2 - 4 days |
| Fencing (10m run, 6ft) | £600 - £1,200 | 1 - 2 days |
| Planting scheme | £500 - £2,000 | 1 - 3 days |
| Drainage | £500 - £2,500 | 1 - 3 days |
| Garden lighting | £300 - £1,500 | 1 - 2 days |
| Full redesign (average garden) | £5,000 - £15,000 | 1 - 3 weeks |
All prices include labour and materials. Actual costs vary by region, access, and ground conditions. London and the South East typically add 20 to 30% on top.
Lawn and Turfing
New turf for an average back garden (50 to 80 square metres) costs between £400 and £1,200 including preparation, topsoil, and laying. Seed is cheaper at £200 to £500 but takes 8 to 12 weeks to establish and needs careful watering.
The biggest cost variable is ground preparation. If the existing lawn needs stripping, levelling, and new topsoil, add £200 to £500 to the base price. Most landscapers quote per square metre: expect £8 to £15/sqm for turf laid on prepared ground.
Patios and Hard Landscaping
A standard 20 square metre patio costs between £2,000 and £4,500 depending on the material. Indian sandstone is the most popular choice at £60 to £100/sqm laid. Porcelain paving is more expensive at £80 to £150/sqm but needs almost no maintenance. Concrete slabs are the budget option at £40 to £70/sqm.
The base preparation matters more than the slabs. A properly excavated and compacted sub-base with a mortar bed costs more upfront but prevents sinking and cracking within a few years. Cheap patio jobs that skip the sub-base are a false economy.
Decking
Softwood timber decking for 15 square metres costs £1,500 to £3,000 installed. Composite decking (which lasts longer and needs no annual treatment) runs £2,500 to £5,000 for the same area. Hardwood like Ipe or Cumaru sits at the top end: £4,000 to £7,000.
Factor in the frame, fixings, and any steps or balustrades. A raised deck with steps and handrails can easily double the cost compared to a ground level platform.
Fencing
Standard 6ft closeboard fencing costs £60 to £120 per metre installed, including concrete posts and gravel boards. A typical 10 metre boundary run comes to £600 to £1,200. Panel fencing is cheaper at £40 to £80 per metre but does not last as long in exposed positions.
If your old fence posts are concreted in, removing them adds £10 to £20 per post. Most fencers include removal of the old fence in their quote but check before you agree.
Planting and Garden Design
A planting scheme designed and installed by a landscaper costs £500 to £2,000 for an average garden. This covers the plants, compost, mulch, and labour. Hiring a garden designer to draw up a full plan adds £300 to £1,000 on top, but it means the planting works as a composition rather than a random collection.
Mature plants cost significantly more than younger specimens. A 2 metre tall tree can cost £100 to £300 while a 30cm pot plant might be £5 to £15. The look you get on day one depends entirely on what size you buy.
What Affects the Price
Access
If materials have to be carried through the house or over neighbouring properties, costs go up. Side access wide enough for a wheelbarrow makes a big difference to the price.
Ground conditions
Clay soil, tree roots, buried rubble, and poor drainage all add to preparation costs. A site survey before quoting is standard for any job over £2,000.
Skip hire and waste removal
Landscaping generates a lot of waste. A standard skip costs £200 to £350. Some landscapers include waste removal in their quote, others charge it as an extra. Always ask.
Time of year
Spring and summer are peak season. You will wait longer for quotes and pay more. Autumn is often the best time to book: landscapers are less busy, turf establishes well, and new planting has winter to settle in.
For most UK gardens, a solid landscaping job that includes a new lawn, patio, and some planting costs between £3,000 and £8,000. Get three quotes, check photos of previous work, and avoid anyone who wants full payment upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need planning permission for landscaping?
Usually no. But if you are paving over more than 5 square metres of front garden, it needs to be permeable paving or drain to a lawn or border (not the road). Decking over 30cm high may need permission depending on your local authority.
How long does a landscaping job take?
A simple turfing and fencing job takes 2 to 3 days. A full garden redesign with patio, planting, and features takes 1 to 3 weeks depending on the scope and weather.
Should I hire a landscaper or a garden designer?
For straightforward jobs (new lawn, patio, fencing), a landscaper is enough. For a full redesign where you want a cohesive look, hire a garden designer first, then get landscapers to quote against the design. It costs more but you get a better result.
What is the cheapest way to improve a garden?
Pressure wash the existing patio, reseed bare lawn patches, add a few bags of bark mulch to borders, and plant seasonal bedding. You can transform a tired garden for under £200 if you do the work yourself.