How Much Does a Gardener Cost in the UK?
A realistic guide to what UK gardeners charge by the hour, day and job, what pushes prices up, and how to get a fair quote for your garden.
Gardening prices vary more than most home services, because the same word covers a fortnightly mow, a full border rebuild and a day of heavy clearance. This guide explains what UK gardeners typically charge, why quotes differ, and how to compare them sensibly.
All figures below are typical ranges, not fixed prices. They move with region (London and the South East are usually higher), the size and condition of your garden, access, and the time of year.
Typical prices at a glance
| Job | Typical price |
|---|---|
| General gardener, per hour | around £15 to £30 |
| Gardener, full day | around £120 to £250 |
| Regular lawn mow (small to medium lawn) | around £20 to £45 per visit |
| Hedge trim (average front hedge) | around £60 to £200 |
| One-off tidy of an average garden | around £150 to £400 |
Treat these as a starting point. A hedge twenty metres long and three metres high is a very different job from a low box hedge, even though both are "a hedge trim".
What drives the price
Time on site
Most gardening is labour, so the biggest factor is how many hours the work will take. A tidy, well-kept garden is quick; one that has been left for two seasons can take three times as long for the same area.
Access and waste
If tools and green waste must be carried through the house, or there is no parking nearby, expect to pay more. Waste removal is often priced separately: bagging up and taking away cuttings means a tip visit, fuel and sometimes a disposal fee. Ask whether waste is included or whether you can compost it yourself.
Equipment
A gardener who arrives with a mower, strimmer, hedge trimmer and blower may charge more per hour than someone using your tools, but you save buying or hiring them. Specialist kit, such as a stump grinder or a long-reach hedge cutter, is usually reflected in the quote.
Skill level
Weeding and mowing sit at the lower end. Pruning that affects plant health, planting schemes, and anything involving ladders or chainsaws sit higher, and tree work should always go to a qualified specialist rather than a general gardener.
Hourly, day rate or fixed price?
Each pricing style suits a different job:
- Hourly works for regular maintenance where the workload is predictable. You agree a minimum visit length and pay for the time worked.
- Day rate suits big one-off jobs such as a full cut-back and clearance, where you want a clear cap on the cost. See our guide to the typical gardener day rate.
- Fixed price is common for hedges, patio cleaning and lawn treatments. It is fair for both sides if the scope is written down clearly.
Be wary of an unusually low price with no detail. It may leave out waste removal, or the gardener may plan to rush the job.
How to get a fair quote
- Photograph the garden, including the worst corners, and note rough dimensions.
- Write down exactly what you want done, and what you do not want touched.
- Ask for the price to be broken down: labour, waste removal, materials and any equipment hire.
- Compare at least two or three quotes, but look at scope as well as the bottom line.
- Confirm what happens if the job runs over, and whether you will be told before extra costs are added.
If you are not sure how to word the request, our garden maintenance brief template gives you a ready structure.
Ways to keep costs down
- Book regular visits rather than letting the garden go; maintenance is cheaper than recovery.
- Do the quick jobs yourself, such as watering and deadheading, and save paid time for pruning and heavy work.
- Group jobs into one visit so the gardener only travels once.
- Compost green waste at home if you have space.
- Book outside the busiest weeks of late spring when demand is highest.
Finding someone through Compito
On Compito you can search by postcode, compare ID-verified local gardeners, send a request describing the job and receive an offer you can accept and pay for online. You can message the provider before accepting, and leave a review after the booking is completed. See how it works for the steps.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to pay a gardener by the hour or by the job?
Neither is always cheaper. Hourly suits regular upkeep where the time is predictable, while a fixed price protects you on jobs with a clear scope. Ask for the estimated hours behind any fixed quote so you can check it is reasonable.
Do I need to supply tools, a hose or water?
Most professional gardeners bring their own tools. You may need to provide an outside tap or a power socket for some equipment, so mention it when you book.
Why is my quote higher than a friend's?
Garden size, condition, access, waste volume and your location all change the price. A quote for an overgrown, steeply sloping garden will not match one for a flat, tidy lawn of the same width.