Hedge Trimming Cost in the UK: Typical Prices
What hedge trimming typically costs in the UK by hedge height, length and type, plus what is included, and how to avoid paying for waste twice.
Hedge cutting looks like a quick job until you see the quote. Height, length, species and waste all matter, and a few extra feet of height can change the price more than you might expect. This guide sets out typical UK costs and how to work out what a fair quote looks like for your own hedge.
What hedge trimming typically costs
Gardeners usually price by the hour, by the metre, or as a fixed sum after viewing. Typical figures are:
| Hedge | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Low front hedge (up to about 1.5m, 10 to 15m long) | around £50 to £120 |
| Medium garden hedge (up to about 2m) | around £100 to £250 |
| Tall conifer or boundary hedge (over 2.5m) | around £200 to £600 or more |
| Hourly rate for hedge work | around £18 to £35 |
These are guide ranges only. London and the South East are generally higher, and prices rise for hedges that need ladders, platforms or specialist reach equipment.
What changes the price
Height and width
Every extra half-metre multiplies the surface area to cut and the volume of waste. Wide hedges with deep growth also take longer to trim on both faces and the top.
Species
Formal, slow-growing hedges such as box or yew take care and precision. Fast conifers need regular cutting; cutting hard into old wood on some conifers can leave brown patches that do not regrow, so a good gardener will talk to you about how much can safely be taken off. See our article on cutting back leylandii for specifics.
Access
A hedge you can reach from both sides is quicker than one backing onto a neighbour's garden, a wall or a steep bank. Neighbours may need to give access, so talk to them first.
Waste
Hedge clippings fill a surprising number of bags. If the gardener removes them, expect either an included allowance or a separate fee. Ask whether the quote covers disposal or whether you can use the council green waste service. See garden waste disposal in the UK.
Timing and the law
Wild birds are protected during the nesting season, which generally runs from around March to August. Cutting a hedge with an active nest can be an offence, so avoid heavy trimming in that period, and check carefully for nests if work is unavoidable. Our article on when you can trim hedges goes through this in more detail.
A tidy trim in early autumn, once nesting has finished, is a common sensible window for many hedges, with a lighter touch in late spring for formal ones if no birds are present.
How to get a comparable quote
- Measure the hedge roughly: length, height and width.
- Send photos from both sides if you can.
- Say whether you want just the sides and top, or a reduction in height.
- Ask whether waste removal is included.
- Check who is responsible if the hedge sits on a boundary.
Work you should not try yourself
Reducing a tall hedge from a ladder is a common cause of garden injuries. Powered hedge cutters at height, near power lines or on uneven ground, are best left to people with the equipment and training. If a hedge is above what you can reach safely from the ground, hire help.
Booking help on Compito
Search by postcode, compare ID-verified local gardeners, and send a request that includes your measurements and photos. You can message each provider to confirm what is included before accepting an offer and paying online. Take a look at how it works for the steps.
Worked example: a 20m privet hedge
A front boundary has 20m of privet at about 1.8m high and 60cm wide. A gardener spends roughly three hours trimming both faces and the top, plus an hour bagging clippings. At hourly rates in the typical range, a figure of around £100 to £200 would not be unusual for this in many regions, higher in London and the South East. If the gardener also reduces the height by 30cm and removes all waste, or if access to the back face means entering a neighbour's garden, the time and price go up.
What a good quote lists
| Item | Example wording |
|---|---|
| Hedge description | 20m privet, about 1.8m by 60cm |
| Work | Trim both sides and top, keep to current height |
| Waste | Clippings removed from site |
| Access | Via front path, ladder not required |
| Timing | Half a day, subject to weather |
Ways to reduce the bill
- Trim little and often so each visit is shorter.
- Ask for the hedge to be cut in a single session along with other jobs.
- Offer green waste to the council bin if allowed.
- Agree height and width upfront to avoid extra work.
- Combine with a neighbour whose hedge needs doing the same day.
Special cases
- Mixed native hedges. Often need only an annual trim, and can be left rough for wildlife.
- Very tall hedges. Safe working at height needs equipment and training. See tree surgeon vs gardener.
- Rentals. Check who is responsible. Tenants often handle small hedges and landlords larger ones.
- Conservation areas and trees. Some hedges include trees with legal protection; see tree preservation orders and conservation areas.
Spotting a rushed job
A good trim leaves flat, even surfaces, a slight taper and no ragged ends or lumps of clippings left on the border. Ask the gardener to walk the hedge with you at the end.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a hedge be trimmed?
Formal hedges typically need two or three cuts a year, while informal or flowering hedges may need one a year. Fast conifers often need at least one or two cuts to stay manageable.
Who pays if a hedge is on the boundary?
Responsibility for boundary hedges can be unclear, and it is best to agree the work with your neighbour first. Offering to share the cost is often the simplest way to avoid disputes.
Is it cheaper to cut it myself?
You may save on labour, but you will need suitable tools, safe access and a way to dispose of the waste. For tall hedges, the risk and effort usually outweigh the saving.