Make over garden & remove trees.

Whether you are reclaiming an overgrown jungle or planning a structured redesign, coordinating tree surgery with landscaping ensures the heavy work is completed before delicate planting begins. This guide outlines the essential steps, costs, and regulations for a successful outdoor transformation.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Site Survey & Legal Checks: Assessing tree health and checking for Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) or Conservation Area restrictions.
• Tree Removal: Safe felling or section-dismantling of trees using rigging to protect surrounding structures.
• Stump Management: Grinding out the stump or applying chemical treatments to prevent regrowth.
• Site Clearance: Chipping branches, logging timber, and removing all green waste from the premises.
• Ground Preparation: Levelling the soil, improving drainage, and preparing the site for new landscaping features.
• Landscaping Installation: Laying turf, installing sleepers, planting new specimens, or creating hardstanding areas.

Typical Costs

Total project costs are heavily influenced by site access and the volume of waste. If a chipper or mini-digger cannot reach the garden, labour costs will increase significantly due to manual handling requirements.

How Long Does It Take?

• Single Tree Removal: 4 to 8 hours depending on height and spread.
• Small Garden Refresh: 2 to 4 days for clearance and basic replanting.
• Full Garden Renovation: 1 to 2 weeks for complex designs involving hard landscaping.
• Stump Grinding: 1 to 3 hours per stump.

DIY or Professional?

While basic gardening and planting are suitable for DIY enthusiasts, tree removal is high-risk work that should always be left to professionals. Working at height with chainsaws requires specialist NPTC qualifications and specific insurance that standard home policies do not cover.

Note: Attempting to remove a tree yourself can result in severe injury or significant damage to your home and neighbouring properties.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Check Qualifications: Look for NPTC or LANTRA certifications for tree work and a valid Waste Carrier Licence.
• Insurance: Ensure they hold at least £5 million in Public Liability insurance.
• Red Flags: Be wary of "door-knockers" or anyone who cannot provide a written quote or a TPO check.
• Questions to Ask:
  • Are you insured for work at height and arboricultural tasks?
  • How will you protect my lawn or patio during tree removal?
  • Will you handle the TPO application with the local council?
  • Does the price include stump removal and waste disposal?

UK Regulations

• Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs): It is a criminal offence to cut down or prune a protected tree without council permission.
• Conservation Areas: You must give the local planning authority six weeks' notice before starting tree work.
• Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981: It is illegal to disturb nesting birds; work may need to be delayed between March and August.
• Part P (Electrical): If your makeover includes garden lighting, the electrical work must be certified by a competent person.

Common Problems

• Hidden Utilities: Unmapped pipes or cables can be severed during stump grinding or digging.
• Invasive Roots: Roots from removed trees can sometimes cause "heave" in clay soils, affecting foundations.
• Poor Drainage: Removing a large tree can lead to waterlogging as the tree is no longer "drinking" from the soil.
• Access Issues: Narrow side gates can prevent the use of machinery, doubling the time required for manual clearance.

Frequently Asked Questions