COST GUIDES

Gardener costs: What are UK average prices in 2026 ?

Updated 03/26

Gardener prices

Blog>Cost Guides>Gardener costs: What are UK average prices in 2026 ?

Achieve a stunning garden, perfect for socialising and relaxing with our useful guide to gardener prices. Designed for any home, with helpful costs and information.

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Fast Facts

  • The average cost for a standard gardener in the UK is around £150 - £200 per day

  • For a landscape gardener, the cost will be in the region of £180 - £280 per day

  • For accurate costs, get quotes from several gardeners in your local area

The average cost of a gardener for regular garden maintenance is currently about £15 - £45 per hour.

However, the total cost will depend on the type and extent of the gardening job you’re hiring them for.

Keep reading to learn more about gardener costs, regular garden maintenance, and the prices for common gardening jobs.

How much does a gardener cost in the UK?

To help you plan your budget, below are some estimated average gardener prices in the UK:

Type of specialistTime periodCost + VAT (Range low - high)Average cost
Gardener Per day£150 - £200£175
Gardener Per hour£15 - £45£35
Landscape gardenerPer project (small – medium job)£250 - £2,500£1,375
Landscape gardenerPer day£180 - £280£230
Last updated: March 2026
Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now

It’s worth noting that there’s a big difference between a gardener and a landscape gardener in terms of duties and the scope of garden design.

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Gardener rates at a glance

For bigger jobs, gardeners will often quote using their day rate:

  • Gardener prices – £150 - £200 per day

  • Landscaper day rate – £180 - £280 per day

Want to know more about landscaping costs? Learn more about pricing larger gardening jobs in our guide to garden landscaping costs.

Gardener hourly rate UK

Gardeners typically charge around £15 - £45 per hour, depending on the job’s scale and complexity.

Smaller tasks tend to be priced hourly, while larger projects may be priced differently.

The size and scale of job will affect both its overall cost and the time it takes the gardener to finish.

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Factors affecting gardener costs

When it comes to planning your gardening project, various factors can affect gardener prices. They include:

  • Size of your garden – Bigger gardens usually mean more lawn to mow and more hedges to trim, so they tend to cost more

  • Type of work needed – Simple grass cutting will be cheaper than clearing overgrown areas or installing new features like fencing

  • Ease of access – Hard-to-reach areas might need extra kit and take longer, which can bump up the price

  • Gardener’s experience – More experienced gardeners may charge more, but often deliver a higher-quality finish

  • Desired finish – A basic trim is cheaper than more detailed or decorative work, like shaping hedges into designs

For accurate costs in your area, we recommend getting quotes from at least three gardeners near you.

Gardening prices cost calculator

To estimate gardening costs, consider the type of work and the time required. Rates vary depending on the job’s complexity and any specialist equipment needed.

Don’t forget to check how many gardeners are required, as this will affect the overall price of the job.

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Cost of hiring a gardener vs DIY

DIY gardening can save you money for smaller tasks - especially if you’ve got the tools and time.

For example:

  • Mowing

  • Weeding

  • Harvesting

  • Pruning

  • Edging

  • Planting

However, for bigger jobs, hiring a professional garden service can help ensure the best results.

These would be tasks such as:

  • Garden design

  • Laying a new patio

  • Moving trees

  • Putting in a rockery

If you’re unsure, get a few quotes to weigh up the time, effort and cost of DIY vs hiring a gardener to do the work.

How to maintain a garden

How to maintain a garden

Gardening is a great hobby that keeps you active, is great for your creativity and is also great for your mental health. It's not just about planting flowers though, there are other things that you need to do. We've pulled together all the tips you need to know, so you can successfully learn how to maintain a garden.

Learn more

Gardener cost checklist for UK homes

Gardeners and landscape gardeners have different specialities. Make sure to check which tradesperson you need.

Remember that your gardener's prices may be set at an hourly, daily or per project rate.

Here's what you need to remember:

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Gardener costs checklist

Factors such as time taken and the size of the garden will affect the overall gardening price.

Looking for advice for managing your garden? At Checkatrade, we're happy to help with anything, from providing fence colour ideas through to costs for patio laying.

What are typical gardener jobs?

Here are some of the most popular services offered by standard gardeners and landscape gardeners.

A typical gardener might offer:

  • Lawn mowing and edging – Keeping the grass tidy and neat around borders

  • Hedge trimming and pruning – Shaping hedges and keeping plants healthy

  • Weeding and general tidy-ups – Removing unwanted plants and keeping beds looking good

  • Plant care and seasonal maintenance – Watering, deadheading, and planting throughout the year

A landscape gardener might offer:

  • Garden design and planning – Creating layouts, planting schemes, and features

  • Hard landscaping – Installing patios, decking, fencing, or garden paths

  • Turfing and lawn installation – Laying new turf or artificial grass

  • Planting schemes and soil preparation – Choosing and planting the right plants for the space and soil

Top Tip

The key to finding a local gardener that will do a great job is making sure you do your homework before you hire anyone. Find out the services they offer and ask for exact quotes.

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The difference between a gardener and a landscaper

When considering a professional garden service, the main difference between a gardener and a landscaper comes down to the type and scale of the work:

  • Gardeners typically focus on ongoing maintenance tasks like lawn mowing, planting, weeding, and painting fences

  • Landscape gardeners, on the other hand, handle larger projects such as installing patios, laying decking, or even building garden structures like summer houses

One added benefit of hiring a landscaper is that they can help you plan larger jobs, advise on things like underground cables or piping, and coordinate with other trades where needed.

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Cost of a gardener in the UK: FAQs

How much does a gardener cost?

The cost of a gardener depends on experience, your location, and the specific services you require. For basic gardening services, gardeners charge £150 - £200 per day on average in the UK.

How much does a landscape gardener cost?

A landscape gardener will cost slightly more as they are providing more skilled services. You can expect to pay £180 - £280 per day on average in the UK for a landscape gardener.

How much do gardeners charge per hour?

The average cost of a gardener for regular garden maintenance is currently about £150 - £200 per hour.

How much do gardeners charge per day?

Gardeners in the UK charge £150 - £200 per day, on average. It’s a good idea to obtain quotes from several suppliers in order to compare prices and understand the services available. Read reviews from real people to find a tradesperson committed to quality.

How much do gardeners charge to cut grass ?

The average cost for gardeners to cut the grass in the UK is £30 per hour The exact cost for cutting grass will depend on the size of your garden, the complexity of the job and your location.

How much do gardeners charge for weeding?

The average cost of weeding in the UK is £30 per hour. The exact cost for weeding services will depend on the amount of weeds, the size of your garden, your location and the gardener’s experience.

How much do gardeners charge to cut hedges?

The average cost of hedge trimming in the UK is £90 per hour. To calculate the exact price of hedge trimming, you’ll need to factor in your location, the height and width of your hedge, project complexity, and any additional costs such as hedge removal or excavating equipment.

How much should I spend on a gardener?

You should aim to spend £150 - £200 on average per day for a gardener in the UK. The exact price depends on the scope of the gardening work, the size of your garden and the gardener’s experience.

Do gardeners charge per hour?

Most gardeners in the UK charge per hour for a more accurate price for their services. Highly-skilled gardeners will likely charge more per hour than gardeners with less experience.

Do gardeners work in winter?

Winter is an important time to prune trees and shrubs, and gardeners use the winter months to clean and remove debris, make preparations for spring and protect plants from the cold and frost. A gardener’s day rate may change in the winter months due to the reduced hours of sunlight.

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