COST GUIDES
How much does hedge trimming cost in 2026?
Updated 06/26
Whether you are looking to prune, trim or remove hedges in your garden, we’ve created a practical guide to the average hedge trimming cost along with useful tips.
Fast Facts
The average cost of hedge trimming is £90 per hour
If specialist equipment is required for larger or hard to reach hedges, the cost can increase to £140 per hour
Hedge removal costs between £100 – £400 based on the size of the hedge
A garden or countryside hedge can act as privacy, decoration and a vital resource for wildlife in your area. But maintaining your hedge comes with all manner of tasks – dead hedge removal, overgrown bushes and routine trimming to name a few.
Even in countryside spaces, incorrect maintenance or removal of a hedge can lead to fines of up to £1,000.
If you are concerned your hedge is encroaching on a neighbours space, or you simply want to clean up your garden for the summer months, it's important to understand hedge trimming costs and the scale of the task at hand.
How much does hedge trimming cost?
| Type of hedge trimming service | Unit | Cost +VAT - Low Range | Cost +VAT - High Range | Average cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hedge trimming | Per hour | £60 | £120 | £90 |
| Hedge trimming at height (climbing equipment required) | Per hour | £100 | £140 | £120 |
| Hedge removal (small hedge, 2-4m) | Job price | £100 | £250 | £175 |
| Hedge removal (large hedge) | Job price | £250 | £400 | £325 |
| Hiring an excavator | Per day | £50 | £120 | £85 |
| Last updated: June 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||||
The average hedge trimming service costs around £90 per hour with an average timescale of one to three hours.
For an especially large or tall hedge, which requires special access equipment, that cost climbs to £120 per hour.
Hedge trimming hourly rates
The average rate for hedge trimming is in the region of £60 to £120 per hour depending on the individual hedge trimmer, their experience and where you live.
To get an accurate quote for a hedge trim, get in touch with local gardeners who work in your area. Just enter your postcode here to get started.
Find a trusted local gardener near you
What's included in a hedge trimming quote?
When you get a quote for your hedge trim or removal, you can usually expect it to include the costs of labour, use of equipment (including access equipment if necessary), and waste clearance.
It's a good idea to get a written quote, so you know the scope of the job right from the start.
Additional costs to consider
If your hedge is particularly tall or difficult to reach, a tradesperson may be required to use specialist equipment to access these areas and this will increase your total hedge trimming cost.
The cost of hedge trimming can also increase if there's a large amount of green waste.
If you need your hedge removed, a mechanical excavator may be required onsite, and in some cases, a chipper may be also needed.
What affects hedge trimming costs?
When considering hedge trimming costs, it's important to remember several factors may drive up the cost of the job. Size is the primary driver of increased costs, as more labour will be required to complete the trimming.
Location and accessibility, however, are a close second. If your hedge is hard to reach, or very tall – a tradesperson may be required to use specialist equipment.
In this case, you may find your quote for hedge trimming service cost is on the higher end of the price range.
Find a trusted local gardener near you
How much does hedge removal cost?
For a small hedge (2-4 metres), you would expect to pay on average £175 in hedge removal costs.
The average cost of hedge trimming and removal is traditionally dependent on two things: the height and length of the hedge.
Cost to remove Leylandii hedge
For larger Leylandii hedges, the average cost of hedge removal is £325, but may increase if specialist equipment is required.
Capable of growing up to one metre a year, the Leylandii hedge, also known as the Conifer hedge, is a popular choice for those looking for privacy.
As these hedges grow very fast, the cost of cutting conifer hedges are typically at the higher end of the spectrum.
Cost to remove privet hedge
If you have a relatively small privet hedge, the removal will on average cost £175, while larger hedges can cost anywhere between £250 - £400.
To accurately estimate privet hedge trimming costs, you will have to measure both the height and the width of your privet hedge or ask a tradesperson for an onsite consultation.
How are hedges removed?
The removal of your hedge may be something you want to factor in when looking at hedge trimming costs.
Removing hedges requires the roots to be removed either manually or with a mechanical excavator. Expect to pay a little extra if this kind of equipment is required.
The plant material that is excavated will also require disposal. Your chosen gardener may be able to take care of it, or you can contact your local council to see if they accept root material in their disposal or waste facilities.
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.
Hedge trimming cost calculator
In order to calculate the cost of hedge trimming, you'll need to factor in a number of elements that will affect the overall price you pay.
The main factors to consider are the size of the hedge, the type of hedge, whether specialist equipment is needed, and disposal of the hedge trimmings. The larger and denser the hedge, the more it will cost to trim.
Why not let our job estimate tool do it for you? Just enter a few details about your hedge, such as its size and type, and the calculator will dig into Checkatrade cost data to give you an estimated quote.
Job Estimate Calculator
Find a gardener to trim your hedges
To get started finding a gardener, just enter your postcode, and we'll show you the Checkatrade gardeners who offer hedge trimming in your area. You can compare your options, get in touch to request quotes, and book the job.
Find a trusted local gardener near you
You can also post your job to hear back from local gardeners with quotes - or download the Checkatrade mobile app to keep all your conversations with tradespeople in one place.
Your hedge trimming cost checklist
To make sure you get the most accurate quote for your hedge trim, use our handy checklist below, which covers all the main factors that can affect a hedge pruning cost in the UK.
Hedge trimming cost checklist
FAQs
Trimming a hedge is a labour-intensive task that can require specialist equipment. Small garden hedges can be a DIY task - however, it's important to familiarise yourself with regulations to not risk incurring a fine from your local council.
If you have a large or overgrown hedge, it is worth seriously considering hiring a gardener for the trimming or removal. Not only will you save yourself countless hours trimming, but you will also save yourself the hassle of removing the plant material.
'Hedge trimming' simply refers to pruning and cutting back unruly shrubbery and hedgerows - usually the ones that mark the boundaries of your property. It could mean pruning privet, box, laurel, Leylandii, or native hedging.
Some common mistakes to avoid when trimming hedges include:
Cutting too much off at once
Not trimming back far enough
Trimming at the wrong time of year
Cutting into the 'dead zone' of evergreens
Trimming into the wrong shape, e.g. not tapering the sides
Hiring an experienced gardener will help you avoid the worst hedge trimming mistakes.
Yes, trimming the top of a hedge will help the whole hedge grow more thickly. By cutting the top tip, you remove 'apical dominance' - in other words, it stops focusing on growing upwards, and grows outwards instead.
For basic hedge trimming, gardeners in the UK charge an average of £90 per hour. Expect to pay more for tall hedges that require access equipment - more like £120 per hour on average.
Both neighbours are responsible for trimming their own respective sides of a hedge. However, overall responsibility lies with whoever owns the land that the hedge's roots originate on.
The best time to cut a hedge is in the autumn or late winter. This gives the plant time to grow and recover, and avoids disturbing any nesting birds or other friendly wildlife.
See the tradespeople we've checked for your job