Landscaping Cost | How Much Does Landscaping Cost in the UK?
How much does landscaping cost? Explore garden design, groundworks, paving, drainage, planting, lighting and complete landscaping costs with Kirman Design in North West England.
Landscaping Cost: How Much Does Landscaping Cost in the UK?
One of the first questions homeowners ask when considering a new garden is:
How much does landscaping cost?
Unfortunately, there is no meaningful single price for landscaping a garden.
A landscaping project could involve:
Replacing a small patio
Redesigning a suburban garden
Building retaining walls on a steep site
Installing drainage
Creating an outdoor kitchen
Completely rebuilding a large garden.
All of those could legitimately be described as landscaping.
The more useful question is:
What needs to be built in my garden, to what specification, and what is likely to drive the cost?
At Kirman Design, we design and landscape gardens throughout North West England, including Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the Ribble Valley.
This guide explains the main factors that determine landscaping costs and how to establish a realistic budget before beginning a project.
What Does Landscaping Cost in the UK?
There is an enormous difference between the cost of a relatively straightforward garden improvement and a complete professionally designed landscape.
Rather than relying on a generic price per square metre, it is usually more useful to divide a garden project into its component parts:
design + preparation + construction + materials + planting + specialist features.
Each of those can significantly affect the final investment.
Why Is It Difficult to Give an Average Landscaping Cost?
Because gardens are not standard construction sites.
Two gardens of identical size may have completely different costs.
One may be:
Flat
Easily accessible
Well drained
Ready for construction.
Another may have:
Restricted access
Heavy clay
Significant slopes
Existing concrete
Retaining requirements
Drainage problems.
The second garden can require considerably more work before the visible landscaping even begins.
Landscaping Cost Is Not Just About Garden Size
Garden size matters, but it is only one factor.
A smaller garden containing:
Extensive porcelain
Bespoke walls
Outdoor kitchen
Pergola
Lighting
Water feature
can cost more than a much larger garden containing:
Lawn
Trees
Hedging
Gravel
Simple planting.
This is why landscaping cost per square metre can be misleading when comparing complete gardens.
What Affects Landscaping Cost?
The main cost drivers generally include:
Garden size
Access
Existing conditions
Excavation
Groundworks
Levels
Drainage
Hard landscaping
Material specification
Structures
Planting
Specialist features
Project complexity.
Understanding these factors is much more useful than searching for one national average.
Garden Design Costs
For substantial landscaping projects, professional garden design may form the first part of the budget.
Design can establish:
Layout
Levels
Materials
Planting
Outdoor living
Construction requirements.
Our How Much Does Garden Design Cost? page explores design fees separately.
Is Garden Design an Extra Cost?
Technically, yes.
Strategically, it can help control the much larger construction investment.
A good design can identify:
What should be built
What should be retained
Where money should be concentrated
Which elements are lower priority.
For significant projects, the cost of design should therefore be considered in relation to the cost of constructing the wrong garden.
Setting a Landscaping Budget
Before detailed design begins, it is useful to establish a realistic overall investment range.
Our How to Set a Budget for Garden Landscaping page explores this process in more detail.
A budget does not necessarily mean fixing every cost before design begins.
It provides a framework within which sensible decisions can be made.
Landscaping Cost and Scope
The first question should be:
What are we actually landscaping?
A project might include:
Patio
Lawn
Borders.
Or it might include:
Complete excavation
Drainage
Retaining walls
Multiple terraces
Outdoor kitchen
Pergola
Lighting
Specimen trees.
The second project has a fundamentally different scope.
Garden Groundworks Cost
Groundworks are often underestimated because they disappear beneath the finished garden.
They may include:
Excavation
Soil removal
Sub-base construction
Foundations
Site preparation.
Our Garden Groundworks page explores what this stage involves.
Garden Excavation Costs
Existing gardens may contain:
Concrete
Old patios
Walls
Foundations
Rubble.
Removing these materials requires:
Labour
Machinery
Waste disposal.
Our Garden Excavation and Preparation page explores this part of landscape construction.
Access Can Significantly Affect Landscaping Costs
Access is one of the most important cost factors.
Compare a garden with:
Wide side access
Space for machinery
Easy delivery access
with one where everything must pass through:
A narrow side passage
Garage
House.
Restricted access can increase:
Labour
Handling
Construction time
Waste-removal costs.
Machinery Access
Excavators and mechanical handling equipment can make substantial landscape construction considerably more efficient.
Where machinery cannot reach the garden, some operations may need to be completed manually.
That can materially change the labour requirement.
Waste Removal Costs
Major landscaping projects can generate significant quantities of:
Soil
Concrete
Paving
Green waste
General demolition material.
Waste removal needs to be included when comparing quotations.
Garden Levelling Costs
Changing garden levels can increase costs considerably.
Our Garden Levelling page explores the implications.
Changing levels may require:
Excavation
Imported material
Retaining structures
Steps
Drainage.
Sloping Garden Landscaping Costs
Sloping gardens frequently cost more to landscape than equivalent flat gardens.
This is because they may require:
Excavation
Retaining walls
Terracing
Steps
Additional drainage.
Our Sloping Gardens page explores the design implications.
For steeper sites, see Landscaping a Steep Garden.
Garden Terracing Costs
Terracing can convert difficult slopes into usable spaces.
However, creating those spaces may require substantial construction.
Our Garden Terracing page explores this approach.
Retaining Wall Costs
Retaining walls can become a significant element of the budget on sloping sites.
Our Garden Retaining Walls page explores their role.
Cost depends on factors such as:
Height
Length
Construction
Finish
Ground conditions.
Garden Steps Cost
Steps may look straightforward but require:
Accurate setting out
Foundations
Construction
Finishing.
Our Garden Steps page explores their construction.
Garden Drainage Cost
Drainage can be essential in North West England.
Our Garden Drainage page explores the broader subject.
Drainage requirements might include:
Patio drainage
Land drainage
Ground improvement
Surface-water management.
For specific cost guidance, see How Much Does Garden Drainage Cost?.
Clay Soil and Landscaping Cost
Heavy clay is common across many parts of North West England.
Clay can affect:
Excavation
Drainage
Soil preparation
Lawn establishment
Planting.
Our Clay Soil Gardens page explores these challenges.
Hard Landscaping Cost
Hard landscaping often represents a substantial proportion of the overall construction budget.
Our Hard Landscaping page explores:
Patios
Paths
Walls
Steps
Structures.
Patio Cost
Patio cost depends on much more than the price of the paving slab.
It may include:
Excavation
Waste removal
Sub-base
Drainage
Installation
Cutting
Edging.
For more specific guidance, see How Much Does a Patio Cost?.
Paving Specification
Paving choices can include:
Porcelain
Sandstone
Limestone
Other natural stone.
The material affects cost, but so do:
Format
Cutting
Pattern
Edge details.
Large-Format Paving
Larger slabs can create a cleaner contemporary appearance.
However, handling and installation requirements may differ from smaller-format paving.
The apparent simplicity of a large-format terrace can require considerable precision.
Patio Size
The patio should be sized around:
Furniture
Circulation
Use.
Making it larger simply because space is available can consume a substantial amount of budget.
Our Garden Patio Ideas page explores how patios can be designed more intelligently.
Patio Cost Outside Bifold Doors
Where paving meets bifold or sliding doors, additional consideration may be needed around:
Thresholds
Levels
Drainage.
Our Patio Design Outside Bifold Doors page explores this relationship.
Level Access Costs
Creating level or near-level access from house to garden may require more careful detailing.
Our Level Access from House to Garden page explores:
Thresholds
Drainage
Paving levels.
Garden Walls
Garden walls can provide:
Retention
Privacy
Seating
Structure.
Our Garden Wall Ideas page explores different applications.
Walls can become a significant budget item where there are substantial quantities.
Raised Planters
Raised planters can provide useful:
Structure
Seating edges
Planting height.
However, extensive raised construction can add significantly to project cost.
Our Raised Planter Construction page explores the construction side.
Soft Landscaping Cost
Soft landscaping may include:
Soil preparation
Trees
Hedging
Shrubs
Perennials
Lawns.
Our Soft Landscaping page explores the implementation process.
Planting Costs
Planting costs vary enormously according to:
Plant size
Density
Species
Border area
Soil preparation.
Our Planting Design page explores how planting schemes are developed.
Small Plants vs Mature Plants
Plant size can significantly influence budget.
Smaller plants:
Cost less
Establish quickly
Need time to mature.
Larger specimens:
Provide immediate impact
Cost more
May require specialist handling.
A combination is often the most effective approach.
Specimen Tree Costs
Large specimen trees can represent a substantial investment.
Costs can include:
Tree
Delivery
Machinery
Planting
Staking
Irrigation.
Access becomes particularly important when large trees are specified.
Hedging Costs
Hedging costs depend on:
Species
Height
Plant size
Planting density
Ground preparation.
Smaller plants can provide a more economical solution where immediate screening is not essential.
Lawn Costs
Lawns may be established using:
Turf
Seed.
However, preparation is often more important than the surface itself.
Poor soil preparation can result in:
Drainage problems
Uneven levels
Poor establishment.
Low-Maintenance Landscaping Costs
Low maintenance does not automatically mean low installation cost.
A garden may require substantial initial investment to create:
Strong structural planting
Reduced lawn
Quality hard landscaping.
The benefit comes through reduced ongoing maintenance.
Pergola Costs
Pergolas range from relatively simple timber structures to sophisticated aluminium systems.
Our How Much Does a Pergola Cost? page explores the subject separately.
Outdoor Kitchen Costs
Outdoor kitchens can range from simple installations to substantial fully equipped cooking areas.
For more detailed guidance, see How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost?.
Garden Lighting Costs
Lighting costs depend on:
Number of fittings
Quality
Cable routes
Controls
Installation complexity.
Our How Much Does Garden Lighting Cost? page explores this in more detail.
Water Feature Costs
Water features vary from small self-contained elements to substantial bespoke installations.
Our How Much Does a Water Feature Cost? page provides further guidance.
Garden Screening Costs
Privacy solutions may involve:
Trees
Hedging
Screens
Pergolas.
For more specific cost guidance, see How Much Does Garden Screening Cost?.
Outdoor Living Can Change the Landscaping Budget
Modern landscaping projects increasingly include:
Outdoor kitchens
Pergolas
Fire pits
Lighting
Multiple seating areas.
Our Creating an Outdoor Living Space page explores how these features can be planned together.
Landscaping Cost for a Complete Garden Transformation
A complete transformation usually involves more than replacing individual elements.
It may include:
Design
Demolition
Groundworks
Drainage
Paving
Structures
Planting.
Our Complete Garden Transformation page explores the process.
For cost-specific guidance, see Garden Transformation Cost.
How Much Does It Cost to Completely Landscape a Garden?
For homeowners considering a near-total rebuild, see How Much Does It Cost to Completely Landscape a Garden?.
That page focuses specifically on complete landscaping rather than the broader cost drivers covered here.
How Much Does a New Garden Cost?
For projects where essentially an entirely new garden is being created, see How Much Does a New Garden Cost?.
Luxury Landscaping Costs
Higher-end projects may involve:
Premium materials
Bespoke structures
Larger trees
Specialist lighting
Outdoor kitchens.
Our Luxury Landscaping page explores the high-end landscaping proposition.
How Much Does a Luxury Garden Cost?
For projects specifically at the premium end of the market, see How Much Does a Luxury Garden Cost?.
High-End Landscaping Costs
High-end landscaping is not defined purely by cost.
It is more closely associated with:
Design quality
Preparation
Specification
Workmanship
Detailing.
Our High-End Landscaping page explores this distinction.
Landscaping a Small Garden
Small gardens do not necessarily have proportionately small budgets.
Our Small Garden Design page explores the particular challenges of compact spaces.
Because the garden may still require:
Access
Groundworks
Drainage
Walls
Patio
Lighting,
the cost per square metre can sometimes be relatively high.
Landscaping a Medium-Sized Garden
Medium gardens can provide more flexibility around:
Lawn
Patio
Planting
Outdoor living.
Our Medium-Sized Garden Design page explores this scale.
Landscaping a Large Garden
Large gardens require careful budgeting because quantities increase quickly.
Our Large Garden Design page explores design at this scale.
For construction specifically, see Landscaping Large Gardens.
How Much Does a Large Garden Cost to Landscape?
For the cost implications of substantial plots, see How Much Does a Large Garden Cost to Landscape?.
Large Gardens Do Not Need to Be Hard Landscaped Everywhere
One of the best ways to control the budget of a large garden is to avoid treating every square metre equally.
More investment can be concentrated around:
House
Main terrace
Outdoor kitchen
Principal routes.
Further away, the landscape can become:
Softer
More planted
More naturalistic.
This can improve both design and budget efficiency.
Landscaping Cost After an Extension
Building work can leave the garden with:
Damaged lawns
Spoil
Level changes
Compaction
Construction access damage.
Our Landscaping After Building Work page explores the implications.
Landscaping After a House Extension
For extension-specific projects, see Landscaping After House Extension.
New-Build Landscaping Costs
New-build gardens may appear straightforward because they are relatively empty.
However, issues can include:
Compacted ground
Poor soil
Drainage
Minimal patios
Lack of privacy.
Our New-Build Gardens page explores these challenges.
Landscaping Cost for an Overlooked Garden
Privacy requirements can add:
Trees
Hedging
Screens
Structures.
Our Garden Privacy page explores the overall design approach.
For practical ideas, see Garden Screening Ideas.
Landscaping Cost for an Accessible Garden
Accessible landscaping may require careful consideration of:
Gradients
Paving
Widths
Levels
Thresholds.
Our Accessible Garden Design page explores the wider design principles.
Garden Design and Build Costs
Where one project includes both professional design and landscape construction, see Garden Design & Build.
A coordinated approach allows budget to be considered while the design develops.
Complete Garden Design and Build
For larger whole-garden projects, our Complete Garden Design and Build page explores the complete project journey.
Landscape Construction
For more detail about the physical construction process behind the cost, see Landscape Construction.
Labour Costs in Landscaping
Landscape construction is labour intensive.
Work may involve:
Excavation
Material handling
Setting out
Paving
Walling
Planting.
The labour content of a project therefore depends heavily on complexity rather than simply garden area.
Why Good Landscaping Can Seem Expensive
A finished garden hides much of the work involved.
You may see:
a patio.
But beneath it may be:
Excavation
Waste removal
Compacted sub-base
Drainage
Bedding system.
You may see:
a wall.
But behind it may be:
Foundations
Blockwork
Drainage
Waterproofing
Retaining construction.
Much of landscape construction cost is ultimately hidden.
Cheap Landscaping vs Good-Value Landscaping
Cheap and good value are not the same thing.
Reducing unnecessary features can create good value.
Reducing:
Ground preparation
Drainage
Construction quality
can create future problems.
Where Can You Reduce a Landscaping Budget?
Potential areas include:
Reducing hard-landscape area
Simplifying geometry
Selecting smaller plants
Phasing secondary areas
Reducing feature quantity.
The objective should be:
simplify the design
rather than:
compromise the construction.
Where Should You Avoid Cutting Costs?
Be particularly cautious about reducing:
Foundations
Sub-bases
Drainage
Retaining construction
Structural preparation.
These are expensive to correct after completion.
Landscaping in Phases
Large gardens can often be landscaped in phases.
For example:
Phase 1: Groundworks and main terrace
Phase 2: Secondary areas
Phase 3: Planting and specialist features
However, the complete garden should ideally be designed first.
This helps prevent completed work conflicting with later phases.
Landscaping Cost and Material Specification
Premium materials increase cost, but material price is only part of the equation.
A less expensive material installed extremely well may create a better garden than an expensive material installed poorly.
Landscaping Cost and Complexity
Complex geometry generally creates:
More setting out
More cutting
More labour.
A simple design executed exceptionally well can therefore be both:
More elegant
More cost-efficient.
Landscaping Cost and Project Management
Larger projects may involve:
Landscape teams
Electricians
Outdoor-kitchen installers
Specialist suppliers
Tree deliveries.
Our Garden Project Management page explores how these elements can be coordinated.
Landscaping Cost and Procurement
Long-lead products can affect:
Programme
Cash flow
Installation sequence.
These might include:
Pergolas
Outdoor kitchens
Specialist paving
Specimen trees.
Good planning can reduce disruption.
Landscaping Cost and Unexpected Ground Conditions
Excavation can uncover:
Old concrete
Rubble
Unknown drains
Poor ground
Foundations.
These conditions may not always be visible before work begins.
For substantial projects, it is sensible to retain some contingency within the budget.
Should I Have a Landscaping Contingency?
For larger or more complex projects, some contingency can be prudent.
The appropriate amount depends on:
Existing information
Site conditions
Complexity.
Older properties and heavily altered gardens may contain more unknown conditions than straightforward sites.
£50,000–£100,000 Garden Landscaping Projects
For projects within this investment range, our Garden Design £50,000–£100,000 Budget page explores how priorities can be established.
At this level, careful decisions may be required between:
Extensive hard landscaping
Mature planting
Outdoor-living features.
£100,000+ Landscaping Projects
For larger projects, see Garden Design £100,000+ Projects.
These may include combinations of:
Significant groundworks
Extensive paving
Retaining structures
Outdoor kitchens
Pergolas
Lighting
Mature planting.
Should I Tell My Garden Designer My Budget?
Yes.
Hiding the budget rarely improves the design process.
A designer needs to understand whether the project is being developed around:
£30,000
£75,000
£150,000
£300,000.
The same garden could be designed very differently at each level.
Should I Get Three Landscaping Quotes?
Comparing contractors can be sensible.
But quotations are only useful if they are pricing the same:
Drawings
Scope
Specification.
Otherwise, you may simply be comparing three different projects.
Why Is One Landscaping Quote Much Cheaper?
Possible reasons include:
Different specification
Different preparation
Different plant sizes
Different scope
Missing elements.
A lower price is not necessarily wrong.
But you need to understand why it is lower.
How to Choose a Landscaping Company
Price should be only one part of contractor selection.
Our How to Choose a Landscaping Company page explores:
Experience
Workmanship
Organisation
Communication
Quotations.
Questions to Ask a Landscaper
Before appointing a contractor, see Questions to Ask a Landscaper.
The page includes questions covering:
Costs
Payments
Groundworks
Materials
Programme
Guarantees.
Landscaping Warning Signs
Our Warning Signs When Choosing a Landscaper page explores potential red flags.
These include concerns around:
Vague quotations
Large unexplained upfront payments
Poor communication
Unclear scope.
How Far in Advance Should I Book a Landscaper?
Landscaping availability can affect when the project begins.
Our How Far in Advance Should I Book a Landscaper? page explores lead times.
For significant projects, it is generally better to think in terms of:
months rather than weeks.
Does Landscaping Need Planning Permission?
Many routine landscaping projects may not require a planning application.
However, certain works can require additional consideration.
Our Do I Need Planning Permission to Landscape My Garden? page explores this subject.
Landscaping Costs in North West England
Landscaping costs across North West England are influenced by the same fundamental factors as elsewhere in the UK.
However, regional site conditions can be particularly relevant.
These include:
High rainfall
Heavy clay
Sloping sites
Mature landscapes.
Landscaping Costs in Lancashire
Lancashire gardens range from:
Urban plots
Suburban gardens
Rural properties
Large country gardens.
Site conditions can therefore vary enormously.
Landscaping Costs in Cheshire
Cheshire contains many larger residential properties where projects can involve:
Extensive patios
Outdoor kitchens
Pergolas
Lighting
Mature planting.
These features can significantly increase the overall project investment.
Landscaping Costs in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester projects may have:
Restricted access
Overlooking
Existing structures.
Restricted access can be a particularly important labour-cost factor.
Landscaping Costs in Merseyside
Merseyside includes:
Urban gardens
Period properties
Larger suburban plots
Coastal locations.
Each requires a different landscape response.
Landscaping Costs in the Ribble Valley
Larger Ribble Valley gardens may involve:
Slopes
Retaining
Long access routes
Large planting areas
Specimen trees.
The size of the site does not necessarily mean every part needs the same level of landscape construction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping Costs
How much does landscaping cost in the UK?
There is no single meaningful figure because landscaping ranges from relatively small improvements to complete garden reconstruction. Garden size, access, groundworks, levels, materials, planting and features all affect the price.
What is the biggest landscaping cost?
For substantial projects, hard landscaping and the groundworks required to support it often represent a major proportion of the budget.
Does a larger garden always cost more?
Not necessarily. A small garden with complex construction and premium materials can cost more than a much larger but simpler landscape.
Is landscaping priced per square metre?
Individual elements such as paving may sometimes be assessed by area, but a complete garden is difficult to price accurately using one square-metre figure.
Does garden design cost extra?
Yes. Professional design is generally a separate part of the project investment.
How much does garden design cost?
See How Much Does Garden Design Cost?.
How much does a patio cost?
See How Much Does a Patio Cost?.
How much does garden drainage cost?
See How Much Does Garden Drainage Cost?.
How much does an outdoor kitchen cost?
See How Much Does an Outdoor Kitchen Cost?.
How much does a pergola cost?
See How Much Does a Pergola Cost?.
How much does garden lighting cost?
See How Much Does Garden Lighting Cost?.
How much does it cost to completely landscape a garden?
See How Much Does It Cost to Completely Landscape a Garden?.
How much does a luxury garden cost?
See How Much Does a Luxury Garden Cost?.
Should I have a contingency?
For substantial projects, particularly where ground conditions are uncertain, retaining some contingency can be sensible.
Can I reduce the landscaping cost?
Yes. Reducing the amount of hard landscaping, simplifying geometry, using smaller plants and phasing secondary areas can all help.
Should I reduce ground preparation to save money?
Generally, this is an area where caution is required. Poor preparation can create expensive future problems.
Can landscaping be phased?
Yes. Ideally, design the complete garden first and then divide construction into logical phases.
Should I tell the designer my budget?
Yes. A realistic budget helps the designer develop a scheme appropriate to the available investment.
Is the cheapest landscaping quote the best value?
Not necessarily. Compare the scope, specification, preparation, plant sizes and exclusions as well as the final price.
The Better Question Is Not Simply “How Much Does Landscaping Cost?”
The more useful question is:
What will my landscaping budget actually create?
A £50,000 landscape and a £150,000 landscape should not simply be:
the same design using cheaper or more expensive materials.
They should be designed differently.
A good landscaping budget should establish priorities.
Spend where it matters most.
Simplify where it matters less.
Invest properly in:
design + groundworks + drainage + structural construction.
Then make intelligent choices about:
materials + planting + features.
The objective should not be to make the garden as expensive as possible.
Nor should it be to make it as cheap as possible.
The objective is:
to use the available investment intelligently to create the best possible garden.
At Kirman Design, we combine:
garden design + landscape construction + planting + project coordination
for projects throughout Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, the Ribble Valley and wider North West England.
If you are considering a significant landscaping project, establishing a realistic budget early can help ensure that the eventual design is both ambitious and achievable.