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Landscaping Cost Calculator UK

Estimate the 2026 cost of your garden project in 30 seconds — by work type, area and region. Enter your square metres for realistic low–mid–high figures. No email needed.

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Landscaping project costs in the UK (2026)Typical installed prices by option — 2026 — Source: BestBuilders.co.uk · typical UK prices 2026 · excludes VAT & access variances Landscaping project costs in the UK (2026) Typical installed prices by option — 2026 £0 £4k £8k £11k £15k Patio / paving 40 m2 £4k–£6.4k Decking 20 m2 £2.4k–£3.6k New lawn / turfing 50 m2 £1.5k–£3k Artificial grass 50 m2 £3.8k–£3.8k Full garden redesign 60 m2 £9k–£15k Source: BestBuilders.co.uk · typical UK prices 2026 · excludes VAT & access variances BestBuilders.co.uk
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Estimate Your Landscaping Cost in 30 Seconds

Choose the work, enter the area in square metres and pick your region for an instant 2026 supply-and-labour estimate.

How This Calculator Works

We multiply the per-square-metre rate for your chosen work by your area, then apply a regional multiplier, using real 2026 UK supply-and-labour rates. The rate you pick matters most: hard landscaping such as paving, decking and walls costs far more per square metre than turfing or planting, because it involves groundworks, a compacted sub-base and drainage rather than just a surface. Access is the other big lever the calculator cannot see, since a rear garden reachable only through the house means every barrow of spoil and every slab is carried by hand. For the full picture read our garden landscaping cost guide, weigh a one-off project against ongoing upkeep in our gardener cost guide, or get matched with vetted local landscapers through the landscaping hub.

Rates (per m², supply + labour)

  • Patio / paving — ~£130/m² (£100–£160)
  • Decking — ~£150/m² (£120–£180)
  • New lawn / turfing — ~£45/m² (£30–£60)
  • Artificial grass — ~£75/m²
  • Full garden redesign — ~£200/m² (£150–£250) · Planting & borders — ~£70/m²

A typical 40m² patio is around £5,000–£6,500 in 2026.

Regional Multipliers

  • London 1.25× · South East 1.12×
  • Midlands & East 1.00× (baseline)
  • South West & Wales 0.95×
  • North & Scotland 0.90×

Decking over 30cm high, walls and some structures can need planning permission. A real quote follows a site survey.

Typical Landscaping Costs (2026)

Indicative supply & fit totals, Midlands baseline (London +25%, North/Scotland −10%).

ProjectTypical sizeCost range
Patio / paving40 m²£4,000–£6,400
Decking20 m²£2,400–£3,600
New lawn / turfing50 m²£1,500–£3,000
Artificial grass50 m²~£3,750
Full garden redesign60 m²£9,000–£15,000

These figures power the calculator above — enter your own spec for a tailored estimate. For the full breakdown, read our complete cost guide.

How to read a landscaping quote

A landscaping quote is only comparable if you know what sits inside the number. A fair quote should spell out the groundworks — excavation, spoil removal and the sub-base under any paving or decking — because that hidden work is where corners get cut on a cheap price, and a patio laid on too thin a base will sink within a couple of winters. Check whether waste removal and VAT are included, whether the materials named are the ones you chose rather than a cheaper substitute, and who is responsible for drainage, edging and the finishing details. Ask how access affects the price: a rear garden reachable only through the house means everything is barrowed by hand, which adds days. Bigger projects are usually staged, with payments tied to milestones rather than paid up front, so agree the schedule in writing before work starts. Retaining walls, level changes, drainage and tree work are commonly priced as separate line items, so make sure they are listed rather than quietly assumed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does landscaping cost in 2026?

It depends on the work and area: a patio runs £100–£160/m² in 2026, decking £120–£180/m², turfing £30–£60/m² and a full redesign £150–£250/m². A typical 40m² patio is around £5,000–£6,500.

Do I need planning permission for garden work?

Most patios, planting and lawns need no permission. Decking over 30cm high, walls or fences above the permitted height and some outbuildings can require it.

When is the best time for landscaping?

Hard landscaping such as patios, paving and walls can be done all year, though heavy frost or waterlogged ground can hold up groundworks in midwinter. Planting and new lawns establish best in spring and autumn, when the soil is warm and damp; laid turf can go down almost any time but needs regular watering if it goes in during high summer. Landscapers get booked up from late spring, so if you want the garden ready for summer it pays to line up quotes over the winter. Timing the soft-landscaping stage for autumn also gives plants a full season to root before they face their first summer.

What's the difference between hard and soft landscaping?

Hard landscaping is the built structure of a garden: patios, paths, decking, walls, driveways and steps. Soft landscaping is the living side: lawns, turf, planting, borders and trees. Hard landscaping is where most of the budget goes, because it needs excavation, a compacted sub-base, drainage and skilled labour, so it is priced far higher per square metre than turfing or planting. A full redesign usually mixes the two, and getting the hard landscaping levels and drainage right first is what makes the soft landscaping look good and last.

How long does a garden project take?

A patio or small project often takes a few days to a week; a full redesign with structures can take several weeks, depending on weather and materials.

Are your landscapers vetted?

Yes — every landscaper we match you with is vetted, and you get up to three quotes to compare designs and prices.

How accurate is this landscaping cost estimate?

It is a guide based on average UK 2026 prices for the work and garden size you select, not a fixed quote. Real costs depend on ground levels, access, drainage, the materials you choose and how much clearance or excavation is needed. Gardens vary hugely, so use the estimate to budget and confirm with an on-site survey.

What does the landscaping estimate include and exclude?

The figure typically covers labour, the chosen materials, groundworks, waste removal and 20% VAT for a standard project. It often excludes retaining walls, drainage or soakaways, tree surgery, water or electrical features, sloped-site levelling and premium plants or stone. Restricted rear-garden access and spoil removal add cost, so treat those as extras beyond the guide figure.

Why does a landscaper's quote differ from the calculator?

A calculator uses averages, but a landscaper prices your actual garden, including slopes, poor drainage, hard-to-reach rear access and whether spoil must be barrowed out by hand. Bespoke design, natural stone and level changes all raise costs. London and South East labour rates are typically higher too, so a real quote can sit well above the average estimate. If you are focused on one element, our dedicated patio, decking, turfing and artificial grass cost guides break the numbers down further; a retaining garden wall on a sloped plot is usually priced as a separate structural job; and clearing an overgrown or debris-filled garden before work starts is a common extra that the per-square-metre rate does not include.

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Reviewed by the BestBuilders editorial team · Last updated: 5 September 2026 · Next scheduled review: December 2026 · See our editorial standards.