Design & landscape your garden.

Whether you are looking for a contemporary porcelain patio, a traditional English cottage garden, or a low-maintenance family space, a structured approach is essential. This guide outlines what to expect when hiring a professional landscaper to ensure your project is completed to a high standard.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Site Survey and Design: Measuring levels, identifying soil types, and mapping existing services like water pipes or electric cables.
• Site Clearance: Removing old turf, unwanted shrubs, decaying decking, and concrete bases, followed by professional waste disposal.
• Groundworks: Excavating to the correct depths and installing sub-bases for patios, paths, or retaining walls to prevent sinking.
• Hard Landscaping: Installing structural elements such as paving, timber or composite decking, fencing, and brickwork.
• Soft Landscaping: Preparing topsoil, laying high-quality turf, and planting trees, hedges, or flower beds according to a planting plan.
• Drainage and Irrigation: Installing soakaways, land drains, or automated watering systems to manage the UK's high rainfall.
• Finishing Touches: Applying jointing compounds to paving, installing outdoor lighting, and a final site deep-clean.

Typical Costs

Landscaping costs vary significantly based on material choice and site access. While soft landscaping (plants and turf) is relatively affordable, hard landscaping (stone and timber) requires significant labour and material investment.

Material prices have remained volatile in 2025. Always ensure your quote includes VAT and specifies the exact type of stone or timber being used, as "natural stone" can range from budget sandstone to premium granite.

How Long Does It Take?

• Small Patio or Turf Installation: 2–4 days.
• Average Semi-Detached Garden Redesign: 1–2 weeks.
• Large-Scale Transformation: 3–6 weeks depending on weather and complexity.
• Design Phase: Allow 2–4 weeks for consultations and revisions before work begins.

DIY or Professional?

While DIY gardening is popular, structural landscaping is best left to professionals. Incorrectly laid sub-bases lead to sinking patios, while poor drainage can cause damp issues in your home or legal disputes with neighbours over runoff.

Professional landscapers have the machinery and expertise to handle the heavy lifting and technical levels that ensure your garden lasts for decades, not just seasons.

If you are on a budget, consider a "hybrid" approach: hire a professional for the hard landscaping (paving and walls) and handle the soft landscaping (planting and mulching) yourself.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Memberships: Look for members of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) or the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL).
• Portfolio Review: Ask to see photos of projects completed 2-3 years ago to see how the materials have weathered.
• Insurance: Ensure they have Public Liability Insurance (minimum £2 million) and Employers' Liability Insurance.
• Questions to Ask:
  • How will you manage water runoff and drainage?
  • What is the depth and composition of the sub-base you are installing?
  • Do you handle the removal of all waste and is that included in the price?
  • Can I speak to a previous client in the local area?

UK Regulations

• SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems): Paving over a front garden larger than 5m² usually requires permeable materials or planning permission.
• Planning Permission: Generally not required for back gardens unless you are installing high decking (over 300mm) or very tall outbuildings.
• Conservation Areas: Restrictions may apply to removing trees or changing boundary walls; always check with your local council.
• Waste Transfer: Your contractor must hold a valid Waste Carrier Licence to legally remove soil and debris from your property.

Common Problems

• Poor Drainage: Patios laid without a slight fall or adequate soakaways will result in standing water and algae growth.
• Sub-base Failure: Using "dot and dab" mortar instead of a full bed leads to loose, rocking slabs that eventually crack.
• Utility Damage: Stripping ground without checking for shallow gas or water pipes can lead to expensive emergency repairs.
• Seasonal Timing: Planting in the height of a dry summer or the depth of a frozen winter often leads to high plant failure rates.
• Underestimating Waste: Excavating a small area creates a surprising volume of "bulking" soil; ensure you have space for multiple skips.

Frequently Asked Questions