Cut grass & hedges.

For many British homeowners, keeping on top of the "growing season" can become a full-time job. Professional gardeners bring industrial-grade equipment and horticultural expertise to ensure your outdoor space remains a sanctuary rather than a chore.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Lawn Mowing: Cutting grass to a uniform, healthy height using rotary or cylinder mowers, depending on the desired finish.
• Edging and Strimming: Tidying lawn perimeters, fence lines, and path edges for a crisp, professional look.
• Hedge Trimming: Shaping and reducing the height of hedges using powered trimmers to maintain privacy and structure.
• Pruning: Using secateurs or loppers to remove deadwood and minor overgrowth from shrubs and hedge bases.
• Waste Management: Collecting clippings, blowing debris from paths, and either composting on-site or bagging for professional disposal.
• Site Clearance: Removing small saplings and unwanted regrowth that can compromise the health of established hedges.

Typical Costs

Prices for gardening services vary based on your location in the UK and the volume of green waste generated. Most gardeners charge either a flat "call-out" fee for small jobs or an hourly rate for ongoing maintenance.

Factors such as steep inclines, restricted access (e.g., through a terraced house), and the height of hedges requiring specialist platforms will significantly increase the final quote.

How Long Does It Take?

• Small Lawns (up to 100m²): 30 to 60 minutes for mowing and edging.
• Standard Hedge Trim (up to 10m length): 1 to 2 hours depending on height and thickness.
• Major Seasonal Cut-back: 4 to 8 hours (half to full day) for large properties with multiple hedges and lawns.
• Overgrown Recovery: Often requires a two-person team for a full day to clear height and manage the volume of waste.

DIY or Professional?

Most homeowners can handle basic mowing, but professional results require high-end equipment like petrol strimmers and long-reach hedge cutters. Professionals also understand the biology of different species—cutting certain hedges at the wrong time of year can lead to permanent "brown patches" or disease.

Note: If your hedge is over 2 metres tall or requires working from a ladder, hiring a professional is significantly safer. They carry the correct public liability insurance to protect your property and passers-by.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Insurance: Ensure they have Public Liability insurance (minimum £1m-£2m) to cover accidental damage to windows or fences.
• Waste Carrier License: If they are taking clippings away, they legally must have a Waste Carrier License from the Environment Agency.
• Portfolio: Ask for photos of previous "striping" on lawns or formal hedge shaping.
• Equipment: Confirm they use their own professional petrol or cordless tools and don't require access to your electricity.

Questions to ask:

• Do you charge by the hour or a fixed price for the whole job?
• Is green waste removal included in the quote?
• How do you handle bird nesting season (March to August)?
• What happens if it rains on the scheduled day?

UK Regulations

• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: It is an offence to intentionally damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. Most gardeners will refuse heavy hedge trimming between March and August.
• High Hedges (Part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003): Evergreen hedges over 2 metres tall that block light to a neighbour's property can be subject to local council complaints.
• Waste Regulations: Commercial gardeners must not use domestic "green bins" provided by the council for business waste.

Common Problems

• Scalping the Lawn: Cutting grass too short during a heatwave can kill the roots; a professional will adjust mower height based on weather.
• Cutting into "Old Wood": Many conifers (like Leylandii) will not regrow from old wood. If trimmed too hard, you'll be left with permanent bald spots.
• Hidden Obstacles: Rocks, wire, or hidden stumps in long grass can shatter mower blades or cause injury.
• Poor Timing: Trimming hedges just before a hard frost can damage new growth and weaken the plant.

Frequently Asked Questions