Landscaper vs Gardener: Who Should You Hire?
Learn the difference between a landscaper and a gardener, which jobs each suits, how pricing differs, and how to decide for your project.
The words are often used interchangeably, but the work and the skills are not identical. Choosing the wrong one can mean paying more than necessary or finding that the person you hired cannot deliver what you wanted.
The short version
A gardener looks after living things: lawns, plants, hedges, borders and soil. A landscaper builds and changes the structure of the garden: patios, paths, retaining walls, decking, fencing and drainage. Many professionals do some of both, and the label alone is not a guarantee, so check what they actually do.
What a gardener typically does
- Lawn cutting, edging, feeding and renovation.
- Weeding, mulching and bed preparation.
- Pruning shrubs, roses and hedges.
- Planting borders, containers and bulbs.
- Seasonal tidy-ups and leaf clearance.
- Light clearance and green waste removal.
Gardeners are generally priced by the hour, day or visit. For typical rates see how much a gardener costs.
What a landscaper typically does
- Laying patios, paths and driveways.
- Building raised beds, retaining walls and steps.
- Installing decking, pergolas and fencing.
- Ground levelling, drainage and groundwork.
- Installing artificial grass or large turf areas.
- Managing larger projects with a design.
Landscaping is usually priced per project, with quotes covering materials, labour and waste. Costs are higher because of heavier equipment and skill involved, and projects often take days or weeks.
Where the jobs overlap
Some tasks sit between the two:
- Turfing a lawn: a gardener can handle small areas; a landscaper may prepare larger or heavily graded ground. See laying turf step by step.
- Raised beds: simple timber beds can be built by either; brick or sleeper beds with drainage are landscaping.
- Fencing: small repairs may suit a gardener; full runs usually go to a landscaper or fencer.
- Planting schemes: a garden designer, gardener or landscaper may be best, depending on scale.
Specialists you may need instead
Neither a gardener nor a landscaper is the right person for everything. For example:
- Tree surgeon for large trees or anything requiring a chainsaw at height.
- Electrician for outdoor sockets and garden lighting, which should be installed by a qualified professional.
- Drainage specialist for persistent waterlogging.
- Specialist contractors for Japanese knotweed, asbestos or contaminated soil.
See tree surgeon vs gardener for pruning for more on that boundary.
How to decide
Ask yourself:
- Am I changing the structure of the garden, or caring for what is there?
- Will the job need excavation, materials delivery or concrete?
- Does it need a design, or just a clear instruction?
- Is it a one-day job or a multi-week project?
If the answer to most is "structure, materials, weeks", a landscaper is the better fit. If it is "plants, lawns, tidy-up, days", a gardener is likely right.
Questions that apply to both
- Can you show examples of similar work?
- What is and is not included in the price?
- How will you protect existing features and neighbouring property?
- What is the timeline, and what happens if weather delays work?
- How will waste and surplus materials be handled?
Hiring through Compito
You can search by postcode, compare ID-verified local providers and send a request describing your project. Offers can be accepted and paid for online, with messaging to clarify scope. For help with the process, see how it works and our guide to hiring a gardener.
Worked example: a new seating area and a tidy
A homeowner wants a 4m by 3m patio at the end of the garden, a path to reach it, and the existing borders cut back. The patio and path involve excavation, a sub-base, paving and levelling, so a landscaper quotes for that as a project, with materials and waste included. The borders, lawn and hedge are routine work, so a gardener quotes by the hour or visit. Using the right person for each part avoids paying landscaper-level prices for weeding, or asking a gardener to build something beyond their equipment.
Job-to-person guide
| Job | Likely fit |
|---|---|
| Regular mowing and weeding | Gardener |
| Seasonal pruning and planting | Gardener |
| New patio, path or retaining wall | Landscaper |
| Decking, pergola, fence runs | Landscaper or fencer |
| Turf for a large area | Landscaper |
| Planting design | Garden designer or experienced gardener |
| Large tree work | Tree surgeon |
Questions to ask each type
Gardener: How often would you visit? What tools do you bring? How do you handle waste?
Landscaper: Can you show recent finished projects? Who prepares the sub-base? What groundworks are included? How do you protect existing features?
Special cases
- Small budgets. Do the structure first and plant later. Planting can be phased over seasons.
- Rentals. Landscaping works almost always need the landlord's written consent.
- Gardens with drainage problems. Fix drainage before paving or turf.
- Mixed teams. Some firms offer both services; ask for separate lines in the quote so you can compare.
Payment and staging
Larger landscaping projects are often paid in stages. Agree what each stage covers and what will be finished before the next payment. Keep it all in writing so everyone is clear.
Frequently asked questions
Can one person do both?
Yes, many small businesses do. Ask them what proportion of their work is planting versus construction, and look for relevant examples.
Is a landscape gardener the same thing?
The term usually means someone who designs or builds planting and structure together. Check what the person actually offers rather than relying on the title.
Which is cheaper?
Gardeners are generally cheaper per hour for maintenance, while landscapers cost more because of the materials, equipment and scale. The cheapest choice is whichever matches the work you actually need.