What Does a Landscaper Do? Landscaping Work Explained

A landscaper creates or transforms outdoor spaces through practical construction work. Depending on the project, this can include preparing the site, excavation, groundworks, drainage, level changes, paving, walls, steps, structures, soil preparation and planting.

For a substantial garden project, landscaping usually follows a design. The designer establishes what the garden should become; the landscaping team turns that plan into a physical space.

Kirman Design provides landscape construction across North West England.

What is a landscaper?

A landscaper is a contractor or landscape professional who builds, installs or improves gardens and other external spaces. Some specialise in particular work, such as paving or fencing. Others take on a wider range of garden construction.

On larger projects, landscaping may involve coordinating multiple stages and trades, from site preparation and drainage through to hard landscaping, planting and finishing.

What is the difference between a landscaper and a gardener?

A gardener generally maintains an existing garden. This may involve pruning, weeding, lawn care, hedge cutting and routine plant care.

A landscaper is more commonly involved in changing or constructing the physical garden. That may include excavation, paving, walls, drainage, planting and other building work. There can be overlap, so check that the company’s experience and service match the work you need.

What does landscaping include?

Landscaping can include both hard and soft landscape work.

Hard landscaping

Hard landscaping involves constructed elements such as:

• Patios and paving

• Paths and steps

• Walls and retaining structures

• Fencing and screening

• Pergolas and other structures

• Drainage

• Decking

Soft landscaping

Soft landscaping includes living elements such as:

• Trees and hedging

• Shrubs, perennials and grasses

• Lawns

• Soil preparation

• Planting and mulching

A complete project may combine both. Kirman Design’s garden design and build service brings design, construction and planting together.

A landscaper prepares the site

Before construction begins, the existing garden may need to be cleared or altered. This could involve removing old paving, turf, unwanted structures, unsuitable planting, rubble or building waste.

If the garden has been disrupted by a renovation or extension, landscaping after building work explains some of the conditions that may need attention.

A landscaper carries out groundworks

Groundworks form the base of many landscaping projects. They may include excavation, sub-base preparation, soil movement, foundation preparation and drainage installation.

Much of this work is hidden once the garden is complete, but it affects how paving, walls, lawns and other features perform. Site preparation should suit the design, the intended materials and the conditions found in the garden.

A landscaper works with garden levels and drainage

Landscapers may create terraces, build steps, construct retaining walls, form raised beds or alter the levels of the site. These changes need to work with the design and allow water to drain appropriately.

Drainage may involve channel drains, land drains, falls within paving or other systems suited to the site. The correct approach depends on the cause of the problem and the ground conditions. See garden drainage solutions.

Where structural engineering or specialist drainage advice is needed, the appropriate professional should be involved.

A landscaper installs paving, patios and paths

Paving is one visible part of landscape construction, but installation involves more than laying slabs. The work may require excavation, sub-base preparation, accurate levels and falls, drainage, cutting, edging, jointing and careful detailing around thresholds.

A landscaper may build patios and paths in porcelain, natural stone, brick, concrete or gravel, depending on the design and intended use. Explore garden paving.

A landscaper builds walls, steps and retaining structures

Garden walls can retain soil, define a terrace, form raised beds, divide spaces or provide seating. Steps connect different levels and should be built to suit the layout, materials and intended use.

Some retaining structures carry significant loads or involve complex ground conditions. In those cases, construction should follow the advice and design of an appropriately qualified professional.

A landscaper installs fencing and screening

Landscaping work may include timber fencing, gates, trellis or decorative screens. Screening can also be combined with hedging, trees and structural planting.

The design should consider which views need screening and where privacy is needed. Garden screening ideas explores ways screening can be incorporated into the garden.

A landscaper installs garden structures and features

A landscaping team may install pergolas, outdoor kitchens and water features as part of a wider project. Depending on the feature, work may involve foundations, service routes, paving, drainage and coordination with other trades.

Electrical, gas or plumbing work should be carried out by appropriately qualified or competent professionals. Find out more about outdoor kitchens and garden lighting.

A landscaper prepares soil, plants and creates lawns

Construction traffic can compact soil, and leftover rubble or unsuitable ground can affect planting. Before planting or turfing, the landscaping team may need to clear debris, prepare the soil, correct levels and improve growing conditions.

Planting plans can specify what goes where; the landscaping team then sets out and installs the plants. Learn about planting design.

Landscapers may create lawns using turf or seed. Preparation, soil condition, levels and drainage all affect how well the lawn establishes.

Does a landscaper design gardens?

Some landscapers also provide garden design, while others focus on construction. Ask what the design service includes and whether you will receive a considered plan before work begins.

A garden designer plans the layout and character of the garden. A landscaper constructs it. For substantial projects, having both skills involved can help the design and construction work together. See garden designer and landscaper.

Should I get the garden designed before asking for landscaping quotes?

For a substantial project, a developed design can help clarify the work to be priced. Without one, contractors may make different assumptions about the layout, materials, levels, drainage and planting, making quotes harder to compare.

If you are unsure whether you need design, read Do I Need a Garden Designer? and Is a Garden Designer Worth It?.

How long does landscaping take?

The time needed depends on the garden, the scope of work, access, ground conditions, weather, materials and number of trades involved. A small, straightforward job will have a different programme from a complete garden transformation involving excavation, drainage, walls, paving, structures and planting.

Ask the contractor for a programme based on the specific project rather than relying on a generic timescale.

How much does landscaping cost?

Costs depend on the amount and complexity of construction, access, ground conditions, materials, drainage, structures, trees and planting. For a substantial project, it helps to establish the design and scope before comparing quotations.

What should I look for in a landscaper?

Look for relevant experience and examples of completed work. Before appointing a contractor, clarify:

• What work and materials are included in the quotation

• Who will manage the site and any specialist trades

• How waste will be handled

• The expected programme

• How changes or unforeseen conditions will be dealt with

• Whether planting is included

• What drawings or specifications the work will follow

Quotes are easier to compare when they describe the same scope of work and materials.

Landscaping across North West England

Kirman Design provides landscape construction across North West England, including Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the Ribble Valley. Local rainfall, soil, drainage and access conditions can all affect how a garden needs to be built.

Frequently asked questions

Does a landscaper lay paving?

Many landscapers install paving and patios. The work may include excavation, sub-base preparation, falls, drainage, cutting, jointing and edge details.

Does a landscaper plant trees and shrubs?

Many landscaping projects include planting. The plants may be selected through a planting design and then installed by the landscaping team.

Can a landscaper fix a waterlogged garden?

A landscaper may be able to carry out suitable drainage or level changes, but the cause of waterlogging should first be understood. More complex cases may require specialist advice.

Do I need both a garden designer and a landscaper?

For a straightforward job, you may only need a landscaper. For a substantial garden transformation where the layout is undecided, design and construction expertise may both be useful.

Does Kirman Design provide landscape construction?

Kirman Design provides landscape construction, garden design and planting. See the landscape construction service for more information.

Discuss your landscaping project with Kirman Design

If you are planning landscaping in North West England, contact Kirman Design to discuss the site, the work you have in mind and whether design should be part of the project.

Telephone: 01942 604976
Email: info@kirmandesign.com
Contact page: Contact Kirman Design