How Much Does a Gardener Cost?

How Much Do Gardeners Charge?

The cost of hiring a professional gardener can vary depending on the gardening tasks that need doing, your garden size, and where you live.

For general maintenance and garden clearance, you can typically expect to pay an average rate of £20 per hour. This may be higher if the garden requires a lot of work, and the job can take longer if it's overgrown. Gardener hourly rates are also higher in areas such as London and the South East.

Which of the following is most important when hiring a gardener?

Expertise, knowledge and quality of work

4 votes - 33%33% of votes

Cost and affordability

4 votes - 33%33% of votes

Efficiency and availability

3 votes - 25%25% of votes

Eco-friendly products and waste removal

1 votes - 8%8% of votes

12 votes See results Hide results

For smaller jobs such as weeding or a garden tidy-up, gardeners often apply a minimum call-out charge, typically around £25 to £35, to cover their time and travel. For grass cutting specifically, expect to pay around £25 per hour, though a minimum fee usually applies regardless of how long the job takes. For larger jobs such as overgrown plots and landscaping, you're more likely to receive a fixed quote or a day rate.

Typical gardening tasks include:

• Cutting and feeding the grass
• Leaf blowing and collecting
• Weeding
• Watering
• Hedge trimming
• Plant pruning
• Patio and driveway cleaning

What can affect the overall costs?

The cost for regular garden care can vary considerably, depending on your location, the size of the garden, the amount of work required, and the maintenance company or tradesperson.

There is often a big difference in the gardening prices charged by independent gardeners in comparison to larger businesses, whereby gardening services with multiple gardeners and employees can potentially afford to charge less. Plus gardening prices in London and the South East are often higher than compared to those in the North or West of the UK.

Let's get down to it:

How much does a gardener cost in 2026?

Typically, a professional gardener charges an average hourly rate between £14 to £25 for most types of work. This will vary depending on where you're located in the UK, the complexity of the project, and whether it's a one-off job or looking after a well-maintained garden.

How Gardeners Price Work: Hourly, Fixed Quote, or Day Rate

Most gardeners use 1 of 3 pricing models. Each approach suits different types of work and levels of certainty around timing and scope.

• Hourly rate - This is common for regular visits and general upkeep. It works well for ongoing garden maintenance where tasks can change from week to week, making it harder to predict total time in advance.
• Fixed job price - This is typically used when the scope of work is clearly defined. For example, this might include a garden clearance, new planting beds, or a one-off tidy. A fixed price gives cost certainty when the workload is easy to measure.
• Daily rate (per day) - This is often used for larger projects, especially where a team can work efficiently. It’s also useful when weather or site conditions could affect how long the job takes.

If you're comparing gardener quotes, make sure each one covers the same scope. This includes what tasks are included, what waste will be removed, and whether materials are charged separately.

Gardener Cost

Below is an overview of the average gardener price in the UK. Hourly rates are most common for ongoing maintenance, while day rates are typically used for larger or more involved jobs such as garden clearance, landscaping, and overgrown plots.

Gardener Costs Per Job

Below is a list of the most common gardening jobs and how much each one costs. Smaller tasks such as lawn mowing, weeding, and hedge trimming are usually charged at an hourly rate. Larger projects, including garden clearance, landscaping, and overgrown plot work, are more often priced on a day rate or as a fixed quote.

How Much Is a Gardener per Hour in the UK?

On average, a local gardener will charge an hourly rate of £14 to £25, though this varies depending on the size and complexity of the garden, the tasks involved, and where you live. One-off visits tend to cost more per hour than regular, ongoing maintenance — many gardeners offer a lower rate for repeat customers as it reduces their time spent quoting and travelling.

For smaller gardens, 1 gardener is usually enough for straightforward tasks such as lawn mowing and weeding. For larger plots or more intensive work, you may need multiple gardeners, which increases the overall labour cost — though it also reduces the total time on site.

Location also plays a significant role in hourly rates. Gardeners in London and the South East typically charge £3 to £10 more per hour than those based in the North or West of the UK, reflecting the higher cost of living in those areas.

How Long Will Gardening Take?

Garden upkeep on smaller gardens can usually be completed in a few hours, and larger gardens shouldn’t take more than a few days to complete.

Here are some estimates on how long the average garden maintenance takes. However, this can change with the season and also depends on the size of garden and its contents - such as types of plants and weather conditions:

These estimates are based on a garden of around 100m² to 150m². If your garden is larger than this, the gardener rate will necessarily be higher because the job will take longer.

Bear in mind that, if there's a lot of work to do because the outdoor space hasn't exactly been the most well maintained garden, this will increase the time required and can affect gardening prices.

Find Tradespeople, compare up to 3 quotes!

It's FREE and there are no obligations

Get started

Additional Garden Maintenance Costs

There can often be additional costs with garden upkeep, particularly on larger or more challenging jobs, that aren't generally included in a gardening services price list.

However, it's still worth asking as there's often a crossover between gardeners and a professional landscaper, or they may have a contact for a local specialist that can help. Plus maintaining them may add to your gardener prices in the future.

Some additional costs that you may wish to consider are listed below:

• Waste Disposal — This is often included within a gardener's quote, but for larger clearance projects it may be charged separately depending on the volume of garden waste. Expect to pay more if a skip or licensed waste carrier is required.
• Patio Installation — £800 – £2,000. Garden patios often come with additional plants to look after or the general maintenance can potentially add to future gardener fees.
• Decking Installation — £800 – £2,000. While the installation itself may not be strictly a gardeners area of expertise, they may be required to clean or maintain the flooring and fix any damage.
• Garden Water Feature — £300–£700. Adding a water feature can enhance your garden and outdoor space, with the surrounding area needing to be maintained once the feature is in place.
• Garden Pond — £2,000–£5,000. While the initial expense of a garden pond can be much higher, it's likely a garden landscaper will work closely on the project, while looking after it properly will then come under general garden maintenance.

What Impacts Garden Maintenance Prices?

Below is a list of various points that can affect gardening prices when it comes to hiring someone to help with garden upkeep.

• Complexity of the Job – In some cases specific jobs, such as felling a tree or carrying out extensive groundwork can increase the overall cost. Whereas basic maintenance is less by comparison.
• Size and location – Larger gardens often require more maintenance and can increase labour costs. Location also matters, for example, gardeners tend to charge more in regions such as London and the South East due to the cost of living.
• Frequency and type of work – Regular garden upkeep is usually cheaper than ad-hoc maintenance. Large projects such as garden clearance and landscaping are also likely to require more than one gardener, increasing the cost.
• Time of Year – Spring and summer require less gardening maintenance, while during the colder months it tends to be pruning and clearing leaves. Peak-season, however, involves everything from cutting the grass and trimming hedges to adding new plants for the year ahead.

Gardener Costs Across the UK

Gardener costs can vary depending on where you live, as such the below table shows how typical hourly rates in major UK cities compare to the national average.

Ask a Trade

Got a question that only a tradesperson can answer? We have thousands of trades ready to answer any question you may have.

Ask your question

What's Involved in Gardening?

There are a number of jobs involved when it comes to hiring a gardener. Although when it comes to basic maintenance the cost and duration required can depend on the size of the garden itself, as outlined below.

Some homeowners want help keeping their outdoor space tidy, while others want a longer-term plan for a beautiful garden. Many professionals can also support light garden design decisions (layout suggestions, planting plans, and seasonal structure). A good gardener will explain options clearly and use their specialist knowledge to prioritise what will make the biggest visible difference first.

Maintenance

• Average Cost – £14-£25 per hour
• Average Duration – 5 to 8 hours

Garden maintenance cost includes regular care in order to keep your garden looking the best it possibly can at all times.

As everyone’s outdoor space is different, this can mean gardening tasks can vary from one property to the next. Some people may require having their lawn cut every week or so, whereas others may need more doing in order to keep a well maintained garden such as pruning, patio cleaning and weeding or even a landscape gardener for a complete redesign.

Below outlines the average cost of materials and labour fees, based on size of garden:

Garden Clearance

• Average Cost – £100-£200
• Average Duration – 1 to 4 hours

Garden clearance costs involves as much general garden waste removal as needed. Most independent gardeners will remove green waste and clear any general debris from your garden, although legally they need to be licensed and insured to dispose of it responsibly.

Waste often includes garden refuse such as leaves, lawnmower cuttings, unwanted plants, shrubs, twigs, branches and soil. They can also potentially clear wood, such as lumber and firewood. Although if you need more extensive work such as removing fence panels or having an old shed taken to the tip, you may need to ask if this falls under their remit.

Cutting Grass

• Average Cost – £20-£30 per hour
• Average Duration – 0.5 to 1.5 hours

Frequent mowing of your lawn is one of the most important garden care elements, with the majority of grass cutting carried out between March and October.

Over the peak gardening seasons such as the summer months, you will probably need to mow your lawn once a week to keep it healthy, although excessive lawn mowing can weaken the grass. During spring and autumn, once a fortnight is usually fine for keeping your lawn healthy. Over winter, mowing is usually not necessary since the cold weather prevents the grass from growing.

Landscaping

• Average Cost – £30–£60 per hour
• Average Duration – 0.5 to 3 days

The cost of hiring a landscape gardener involves making improvements to your property grounds, both for aesthetic and practical reasons. Landscaping costs can vary depending on the type of project you have planned, and in some instances may be charged at a day rate (around £110–£180 per day) or dependent on the individual job, rather than per hour.

For instance, pond prices cost between £260 and £530 per m² to build and install, while laying garden turf costs around £15 per m².

Below are some other examples that a garden designer may cover while landscaping your property:

• Lawns
• Shrubs
• Planting beds
• Water gardens
• Fountains
• Fences
• Flowering trees
• Foundation plantings
• Walkways
• Driveways

Hedge Trimming or Removing

• Average Cost – £25–£45 per hour
• Average Duration – 1 to 2 hours

Hedge trimming involves trimming tall or overgrown hedges or shrubs. Hedge cutting not only makes your garden look more aesthetically pleasing, but it also helps to keep your garden safe. Although removing hedges is always an option if you want to get rid of them altogether.

Hedge trimming can also be used as a way to create a unique garden landscape, while regular pruning and maintenance can help to keep your hedges and shrubs healthy.

It is important to ensure that safety is in mind when pruning hedges. Most gardeners will use shears to complete the trimming and will use electric or petrol-powered trimmers on larger or more difficult shrubs and hedges. It is always recommended that goggles are worn when hedge cutting and gloves are also recommended to protect your hands in the process.

Tree Trimming and Tree Removal

• Average Cost – £100 to £1,500
• Average Duration – 2 to 6 hours

The process of tree trimming is most common for keeping trees in their desired shape and appearance. Overgrowth on trees can also have a negative effect on the health of the tree and any plants or bushes that may surround it, so they need to stay healthy in order to thrive.

Having a tree trimmed or pruned is common practice, although the cost can vary drastically between everyday maintenance of a garden fruit tree compared to crown trimming on a larger tree (between £650 and £1,400).

Alternatively, tree felling involves cutting down and removing the tree, and you can also remove a tree stump if you no longer want it in your garden.

Patio Cleaning

• Average Cost – £30-£50 per hour
• Average Duration – 1 to 2 hours

The cost of patio cleaning involves washing and sprucing up your existing patio so that it stays looking the best it possibly can. However, as not everyone has access to a pressure washer, a professional gardener or garden maintenance company can do it on your behalf, or if not hire a pressure washer to carry out the work yourself.

Below is a simple guide on how best to clean your patio without a pressure washer:

• Remove Any Weeds – Pull up weeds from cracks and edges, roots and all; use weed killer if needed.
• Make Your Own Patio Cleaner – Mix gentle soap with water; no special products required.
• Pour Some of the Mixture – Pour the soap mixture on the slabs, scrub with gloves if desired, then rinse with clean water.
• Brush the Patio – Use a hard-bristled brush to remove stubborn dirt until the surface is clean.
• Rinse Away the Dirt – Rinse thoroughly with clean water to reveal a fresh patio.

Lawn Maintenance

Lawn maintenance involves keeping on top of your lawn chores in order to keep your lawn looking the best it possibly can at all times. Lawn maintenance can include the following:

• Regular lawn mowing
• Regular watering and weeding
• Lawn cleaning and clearing
• Pruning and trimming on surrounding trees and shrubs
• Lawn border edging
• Lawn treatment
• Feeding the lawn with nutrients

Keeping on top of these can ensure that your lawn looks perfect all year round. Lawns often take up a large portion of most gardens, so keeping on top of your lawn maintenance is a very important part of overall garden upkeep.

Checklist: Hiring a Gardener in the UK

When you are booking a gardener there are a few things to consider, below is a list of some of those to be aware of before choosing someone to carry out the work:

• Does your gardener have suitable qualifications? While hands-on experience or an apprenticeship will provide much of what you need in a gardener, some may have had professional training via an apprenticeship, or taken NVQs in horticulture. Landscape gardeners have often had an education within design, and specialists such as tree surgeons may require specific certifications or licenses.
• Are they insured for their work? Confirm if the gardener at least has public liability insurance or other relevant cover needed when working on your garden in the event of an accident or personal injury.
• Have you checked what services are offered? While most gardeners will carry out the basics, such as lawn mowing and cutting a hedge, if you have specific work that needs doing, check it is included within the job price and your local gardener can do the work.
• How much experience does the gardener have? Check how long the gardener or gardening company has been in business, long-standing companies are likely to have greater expertise and a wider knowledge.
• Do they have examples of previous gardening jobs? This can be a portfolio, photographs or somewhere you can visit first-hand. Ask for specific examples comparable to your needs.
• Do they have positive reviews? Check online, including their MyJobQuote profile, and see how other homeowners rate their work. Friends and family may also have recommendations, so it's worth asking around for advice.
• Have you requested more than one quote? Use the likes of MyJobQuote to find local gardeners and get at least three quotes with a written breakdown of the costs so you can compare gardener prices, without any further commitment before giving the go-ahead.

FAQs