What does a gardener cost in 2026?
A gardener charges £20–40 an hour or £150–250 a day in 2026, with London above that. Regular maintenance is usually sold as a fortnightly visit at £40–90, while landscaping projects are quoted as a fixed price: turf at £10–20 a square metre laid, a patio at £90–180 a square metre. Green waste removal is charged separately because it needs a waste carrier licence.
Updated 15 September 2026
Gardener, landscaper or tree surgeon
A gardener maintains what's there — mowing, weeding, pruning, hedges, borders. A landscaper builds: patios, decking, fencing, drainage, turf. A tree surgeon is a separate qualified trade for anything involving a chainsaw at height. Asking a gardener to take down a mature tree is how people get hurt and how insurers refuse claims.
For maintenance, a regular slot is cheaper per visit than calling when the garden has got away from you, because the work is predictable and the gardener can route the round efficiently.
Typical garden prices
Labour plus materials where stated. Excludes VAT and waste disposal.
| Job | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | £20–40 |
| Day rate | £150–250 |
| Fortnightly maintenance visit | £40–90 |
| One-off garden tidy, overgrown | £250–700 |
| Hedge cutting, per metre run | £10–25 |
| Turfing, supplied and laid, per m² | £10–20 |
| Planting a border, 10 m² | £300–900 |
| Indian sandstone patio, per m² | £90–180 |
| Close-board fencing, per metre | £70–140 |
| Green waste removal, per load | £60–200 |
Waste, trees and permissions
Anyone taking garden waste away for payment must be a registered waste carrier with the Environment Agency, SEPA or Natural Resources Wales. Check the number on the public register — fly-tipped waste traced back to your address is your problem, not the gardener's.
Trees are the other trap. A tree with a Tree Preservation Order, or any tree in a conservation area, needs council consent before work starts, and the fines are substantial. Six weeks' notice is standard in a conservation area. For tree work, use an arborist with an NPTC or City & Guilds chainsaw certification and £5m public liability cover.
Hard landscaping has its own rules: a front garden paved with impermeable material over five square metres needs planning permission unless the water drains to a permeable area.
Making sure you compare like with like
Book projects in autumn or winter when gardeners have capacity. Spring bookings carry both a premium and a wait.
For maintenance, write down what a visit includes: mowing and edging only, or beds, hedges and pots as well, and whether cuttings are taken away or bagged for your green bin. Most price differences turn out to be scope, not rate.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gardener charge per hour?
£20–40 an hour across most of the UK and £30–50 in London, usually with a minimum charge of two hours.
What does it cost to lay a new lawn?
£10–20 per square metre supplied and laid, including clearing and levelling. A 50 square metre lawn typically runs £500–1,000.
Do I need permission to cut down a tree?
Yes if it has a Tree Preservation Order or stands in a conservation area. Ring the council's tree officer before booking anyone — consent takes weeks and the fines for getting it wrong are large.
Why is waste removal charged separately?
Because it requires a registered waste carrier licence and a tip fee. Expect £60–200 a load, and ask to see the carrier registration number.
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