How much does landscaping cost? Full breakdown

What does a new garden actually cost?

The honest answer: it depends. Not what you wanted to hear, I know. But the range is massive — from £1,500 for a basic refresh to £25,000+ for a full redesign with water features and a pergola. Let's break down the costs so you can build a realistic budget.

Tools like GardenWorld let you visualise changes before you start digging. A solid plan prevents expensive mid-project changes that eat into your budget.

Paving: the big-ticket item

Hard landscaping is almost always the priciest part. Here are ballpark figures per square metre, including labour:

• Concrete slabs: £30–50/m²
• Block paving: £60–90/m²
• Natural stone (sandstone, granite): £80–150/m²
• Porcelain paving: £90–170/m²

A 15 m² patio could therefore run from £450 to £2,550 — just for the surface. Visit your local garden centre or RHS partner garden to see materials in person before committing.

Planting: it adds up quickly

Individual plants seem cheap. A perennial for £4, what's the harm? But you'll need 50 to 100 for an average plot. Add shrubs at £12–35 each and perhaps a tree at £100–400, and the numbers climb fast.

Planting price guide

Buy in autumn sales — nurseries slash prices on perennials and shrubs from October.

Groundwork and waste removal

Most people forget this. Removing old paving costs £12–20/m². Soil excavation and disposal: £18–30 per cubic metre. If your garden is full of rubble, the clearance bill alone can hit £1,000–2,500.

Hire a landscaper or DIY?

A professional landscaper charges £35–55 per hour, or a fixed project rate. For a complete garden of 50–70 m², expect £7,000–14,000 including materials. Doing it yourself can halve the cost, but be honest about your skill level. A wonky patio costs more to fix than to get right first time.

Smart savings

• Do the digging yourself; hire the pro for specialist work
• Buy young plants — they're cheaper and fill in within a season
• Use gravel instead of paving for paths: cheaper and better for drainage
• Spread the project over two seasons if funds are tight

Hidden costs

Don't forget drainage (£400–1,200), garden lighting (£250–800) and fencing (£50–100 per linear metre). Irrigation systems (£350–700) are increasingly popular with hotter UK summers.

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