Maintain patio & garden.

Patio and garden maintenance in the UK typically costs £200–£800 per visit for a full seasonal tidy, depending on garden size and what's involved. Routine maintenance (weeding, jet-washing, re-sanding joints) sits at the lower end; restoration jobs (re-pointing, weed-killing established growth, re-laying loose slabs) at the upper. Most patios benefit from annual attention; lawns benefit from monthly through the growing season.

The single highest-value patio service: jet-washing followed by re-sanding the joints. Transforms a tired-looking patio for £150-£400 in most UK gardens.

Typical UK costs

Patio maintenance basics

• Annual jet wash — best in spring before summer use. Removes algae, moss, dirt, and lifts joint debris.
• Re-sand joints (kiln-dried sand) — refills the gaps after jet washing. Prevents weed growth and keeps slabs locked together.
• Mortar pointing — for traditional mortared patios, cracking joints need re-pointing every 8-15 years.
• Slab replacement — sunken or cracked slabs lifted, re-bedded, replaced. £40-£120 per slab depending on size and access.
• Sealing — sealants protect porous stone from staining and deepen colour. Reapply every 3-5 years.
• Drainage check — patios should slope 1-2% away from the house. Standing water indicates sub-base failure.

Common garden maintenance tasks

• Lawn mowing and edging.
• Border weeding and mulching.
• Hedge trimming.
• Pruning shrubs and small trees.
• Leaf clearance in autumn.
• Spring bulb planting.
• Patio cleaning and re-sanding.
• Fence painting / treatment (every 3-5 years).
• Decking refurbishment (every 2-3 years).

Things people often miss

• Patio sealer is optional — sealing porous limestone or sandstone deepens colour and reduces staining, but limits future cleaning options. Concrete and porcelain don't usually need sealing.
• Pressure washing risks — too high pressure or too close strips joint sand and damages soft stone. Specialist patio cleaning uses lower pressure with rotary heads.
• Annual contracts often best value — annual maintenance contracts (mowing, hedge trim, autumn tidy) typically work out 10-20% cheaper than booking each visit separately.
• Post-frost slab movement — UK winters can lift slabs as ground freezes and thaws. Inspect each spring; address loose slabs before they break.
• Borders need annual mulching — 50-75 mm of bark mulch suppresses weeds and conserves moisture. Refresh every spring.
• Don't pressure wash too early — frost damage to slabs occurs more readily on wet patios. Wait until mid-spring before deep cleaning.

Frequently asked questions

Want a local pro to handle this? A landscaper or gardener with appropriate equipment delivers patio cleaning and garden maintenance more reliably than DIY for most homeowners. Annual contracts work out best value.