How Much Does a Garden Cost? A General Guide.

Explore benchmarks for an average garden, considering design input, project complexity, planting, and the prelims that shape every build.

Other than the obvious factor of size, costs depend on the balance of site challenges, things like access, earthworks, and drainage alongside material selection and the specific needs and goals of the client.

A straightforward, levelled basic geometry patio and lawn with two or three groundcover species will almost always cost less than a complex garden with multiple terraces, high-end finishes, bespoke features, lighting, and a tailored planting scheme rich with colour and form. These are completely different spaces, with very different time inputs and costs.

Industry Benchmarks

Industry benchmarks often sit in the region of £200–£600+ per m², though these can vary widely depending on region, scope, site specific conditions and who delivers the work.

During an initial consultation, costs can be explored in more detail, specific to each site and client.

For a standard 10m x 10m garden you might expect the below:

• £20K+ (around £200 per m²) — Basic garden: simple paving or decking, a lawn, and light planting. Potential to include close-board fencing/screens.

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• £40K+ (around £400 per m²) — Mid-range garden: higher quality paving, optional clay pavers in some areas, composite decking, potential for larch/cedar fencing/screens, and more considered planting schemes.

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• £60K+ (from £600 per m² and above) — High-end garden: premium porcelain paving, Yorkstone, or clay pavers, along with bespoke features, integrated lighting, and detailed planting design.

  
  

What Shapes the Cost of a Garden?

Design & build complexity:

The more intricate a garden, the more design time and specialist labour required. Beyond obvious features like outdoor kitchens, water features, or pergolas, there is also cost and value in the finer detail: the geometry, the junctions between materials, and the quality of craftsmanship. Close-up photos often reveal the details, and it’s in these details the garden’s DNA is revealed, something you sense as soon as you walk into a space.

Materials & finish:

Porcelain paving and composite decking are more expensive than some sandstones (and porcelain is generally more costly to lay) or softwood, but they’re also typically more durable and require less maintenance over time. That raises a conversation about upfront cost versus long-term value.

It’s also important to note that the real expense isn’t just the surface material — for paving, for example, it’s the excavation and removal, sub-base build-up, mortar, laying and cutting, jointing, and final cleaning ( which to some extent may also be tied to prelims which I will explain later). These elements often cost more than the paving itself. This is why many clients decide: if you’re already paying for the groundwork and labour, does it make sense to invest a little more for a higher-end finish?

A study by the AA found that a garden can add an average of 5% to a home’s value, and in some cases as much as 16%. Of course, this depends on wider factors and variables, from the local housing market to the overall condition of the property, but it does highlight the value buyers place on outdoor space and since Covid, demand for outdoor space has only grown, making investment in your garden a catch for any future buyer.

Beyond resale value, and maybe even more importantly, there’s the everyday benefit. Your garden is one of the largest and can be one of the most enjoyable spaces you own, and enhancing your day-to-day experience of it, with all the associated health benefits, private and social opportunities for years to come can be priceless.

Planting:

Planting can vary hugely in both complexity and cost. Younger bare-root plants (installed in the dormant season) are a cost-effective way to establish a garden but may have more initial losses than pot grown and may take longer to develop. Mature pot grown plants and shrubs, by contrast, bring instant impact, but at a higher upfront cost. Neither is better necessarily to depending on your priorities, so it comes down to whether you want immediate results or are happy to let the garden grow in over a longer period, top up as you go and be more selective on when you plant ( dormant season only or plant all year ).

Costs also depend on the balance of planting included, the range of species, and the level of design consideration and planting skill required.

Prelims:

Last but not least are prelims (preliminaries). These are the engine room of a project and generally increase with the time, complexity of a build and the contractor's ability to access a site. They can include skip hire, grab lorries, digger or specialist equipment, subcontractors, office/admin time, site cleaning, and more.

Prelims typically account for around 10–15% of the overall build budget, though the percentage can shift. While they may not be the most exciting line item, they are essential. If you want your project to run efficiently and professionally from start to finish, prelims make the difference and are essential for businesses to operate. A company that factors these in is usually planning and resourcing for a well-managed, organised, and smooth operation.

Choosing the Right Approach

It’s worth noting that the above benchmarks of £200 - £600+ per m2 usually reflect established businesses. Clients may choose to work with smaller independent landscapers at a lower cost and this can absolutely work well for some, but it’s important to consider the cost-time-quality triangle and the potential trade-offs.

An experienced and qualified designer with deep estimating knowledge, end-to-end project pipeline experience, and a strong network can guide you through these decisions. That might mean advising on specification, adjusting design details to suit the material and contractor budget and connecting you with the right contractors depending on your position, whether that’s one firm handling everything, or a series of specialists across different stages, and whether for an ongoing build or a phased approach over time.

Balancing Cost, Time, and Quality

As mentioned, the cost triangle is a useful way of framing what’s realistic. Every project must balance three elements: cost, time, and quality. You can rarely maximise all three at once:

• Fast + High Quality → costs more.

• Fast + Cheap → often compromises quality.

• Cheap + High Quality → possible, but usually over a longer period due to limited resources and adaptability.

  
  

Being clear on priorities early helps set expectations and avoid disappointment later.

Design & Professional Fees

Good design balances beauty with function within the constraints of the existing site and client budget. It solves problems first, then adds the detail that makes a garden feel special. It is adaptable to site specifics and client needs and works often on the idea of the upside down pyramid. This involves the designer with the client working loosely to begin where ideas are more open, moving further into detail and refinement until reaching the the tip; a garden that successfully meets the client's brief within the constraints of their existing site and budget.

For smaller projects of up to around £10k build cost, design fees are often around 20%. As budgets increase, fees typically reduce proportionally — around 15% for mid-range projects and closer to 10% at the upper end. This is a general rule rather than a fixed guide, as the cost depends on the individual project.

There is also the question of how far the designer is involved. Do they simply hand over the plans to a landscaper, or do they remain involved during the build phase for site visits and contractor coordination? Some designers may charge an additional percentage or work on an hourly basis with travel costs to factor this extra work in.

Designers and practices may charge some or all of the work hourly, usually £60–£150 per hour plus travel, depending on the specific request and seniority required. While design is an immediate additional cost, it often saves money overall — and can even pay for itself — by ensuring efficient earthworks, site-specific solutions, good planning, and material selection. Just as importantly, a well-designed garden saves costs over time by getting things right first time, ensuring the garden is usable, practical, and long-lasting.

Written by Jack Verran, Landscape Designer & Consultant. For advice tailored to your garden or landscape, contact: info@jackverrandesign.com