How to Quote for Landscaping Work: Complete UK Guide

Landscaping is one of the most varied trades to quote for. A single project might involve ground works, drainage, paving, fencing, decking, turfing, planting, retaining walls, and garden lighting — each with its own material costs, labour requirements, and technical challenges. The scope can range from a simple patio and lawn for 2,000 pounds to a full garden transformation exceeding 30,000 pounds. Getting your quote right on a landscaping job is essential because the margins on materials are often slim, and the real profit comes from efficient labour management.

This guide covers the complete process of quoting for landscaping work in the UK, from initial site assessment through to presenting a professional proposal. Whether you are a sole trader laying patios and fences, or a larger landscaping company managing complex garden builds, the quoting fundamentals are the same.

Step 1: Conduct a Thorough Site Assessment

Landscaping quotes start with a proper site visit. You need to see the garden in person — photographs do not show gradients, soil conditions, access limitations, or the true scale of the space. During your assessment, evaluate the following.

Site Dimensions and Levels

Measure the full garden area accurately. Note any changes in level — gardens that slope need retaining walls, stepped terraces, or graded surfaces, all of which add significant cost. A laser level or dumpy level is essential for accurate readings. Even a gentle slope that is barely noticeable by eye can mean hundreds of pounds of extra groundwork to create a level patio base. Document the fall across the site and note the proposed finished levels relative to the house damp-proof course (DPC) — paving should always be at least 150mm below the DPC.

Ground Conditions

Dig a test hole or probe the ground to assess soil conditions. Heavy clay soil is harder to excavate and takes longer to compact properly. Sandy or chalky soil drains well but may need more sub-base material. If there is existing paving, decking, or concrete to remove, factor in the demolition time and waste disposal cost. Check for tree roots, buried rubble, or old foundations that could complicate excavation.

Access

Access is one of the biggest variables in landscaping costs. Can you get a mini digger or dumper through to the back garden? Is there side access, or does everything need to be carried through the house? A project where you can drive materials directly to the working area is fundamentally different from one where every bag of cement and every paving slab needs to be wheeled through a narrow side passage. Limited access dramatically increases labour time and therefore cost.

Drainage

Assess the existing drainage. Where does rainwater currently go? If you are increasing the hard-surfaced area (which most landscaping projects do), you need to manage the additional runoff. For front gardens exceeding 5 square metres, regulations require permeable paving or drainage to a soakaway. For back gardens, you should plan appropriate drainage to prevent waterlogging and damage to neighbouring properties.

Services

Check for underground services — gas pipes, water mains, electricity cables, drainage runs, and telecoms. These affect where you can dig and what precautions you need to take. Request utility plans from the customer if possible, and always use a cable avoidance tool (CAT scanner) before excavating.

Customer Requirements

Discuss the customer's vision in detail. What are they hoping to achieve? How will they use the space? Do they have children or pets (which affects material choices)? What is their budget? Have they seen designs they like? Do they want low-maintenance or are they keen gardeners? Understanding the customer's priorities helps you propose a design that works for them and quote a price that matches their expectations.

Step 2: Separate Hard Landscaping and Soft Landscaping

Landscaping quotes should be broken into two main categories: hard landscaping (built elements) and soft landscaping (planting and turf). This makes the quote clearer for the customer and easier for you to price accurately.

Hard Landscaping

This includes paving (patios, paths, driveways), decking, fencing, retaining walls, steps, edging, raised beds (built structures), drainage, and garden lighting. Hard landscaping is the most labour-intensive and material-heavy part of most garden projects, and it is where most of the project value lies.

Soft Landscaping

This includes turfing, planting (trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, hedging), mulching, and topsoil. Soft landscaping is typically less labour-intensive per square metre than hard landscaping but can still represent significant cost on larger projects, especially if mature specimen plants or established hedging is specified.

Step 3: Price Hard Landscaping Materials

Material costs for hard landscaping vary enormously depending on the quality of materials specified. Here are typical costs in 2026.

Paving

Standard concrete block paving (driveways): 20 to 35 pounds per square metre for materials.
Standard concrete paving slabs (budget patio): 15 to 30 pounds per square metre.
Indian sandstone (popular mid-range): 25 to 45 pounds per square metre.
Porcelain paving (premium): 40 to 80 pounds per square metre.
Natural limestone or granite: 50 to 100 pounds per square metre.
Sub-base material (MOT Type 1): approximately 30 to 40 pounds per tonne (1 tonne covers roughly 6 to 8 square metres at 75mm depth).
Sharp sand (laying course): approximately 35 to 45 pounds per tonne.
Cement: approximately 5 to 7 pounds per 25kg bag.
Jointing compound (for porcelain/natural stone): 20 to 35 pounds per tub (covers 5 to 10 square metres).

Fencing

Standard lap panels (6ft x 6ft): 25 to 40 pounds per panel.
Close-board fencing (on timber rails): 40 to 65 pounds per linear metre for materials.
Fence posts (100mm x 100mm treated softwood): 12 to 20 pounds each.
Concrete fence posts: 15 to 25 pounds each.
Postcrete/Postcrete bags: 4 to 6 pounds per bag (1 bag per post).
Gravel boards: 8 to 12 pounds each.

Decking

Treated softwood decking boards: 3 to 6 pounds per linear metre.
Composite decking boards: 15 to 35 pounds per linear metre (depending on brand/quality).
Timber joists and subframe: approximately 15 to 25 pounds per square metre of deck area.
Stainless steel screws: approximately 15 to 25 pounds per box (200 screws).
Weed membrane: 1 to 2 pounds per square metre.

Retaining Walls

Concrete blocks (for rendered walls): 1.50 to 2.50 per block.
Natural stone walling: 60 to 120 pounds per square metre (face area).
Sleepers (new oak or softwood): 25 to 50 pounds each (2.4m length).
Concrete and reinforcement: varies, but budget 20 to 40 pounds per linear metre of wall for foundations.

Our material cost estimator can help you calculate quantities from your site measurements.

Step 4: Price Soft Landscaping Materials

Soft landscaping materials are generally less expensive per square metre than hard landscaping, but they add up on larger projects.

Turf

Standard lawn turf: 3 to 5 pounds per square metre (delivered in rolls).
Premium turf (ornamental grade): 5 to 8 pounds per square metre.
Topsoil (for preparation): 30 to 45 pounds per tonne (1 tonne covers approximately 10 to 12 square metres at 50mm depth).
Lawn seed (alternative to turf): 3 to 8 pounds per kg (1kg covers approximately 30 to 40 square metres).

Plants

Hedging plants (bare root, 60-80cm): 3 to 8 pounds each (laurel, privet, beech).
Hedging plants (pot-grown, 80-100cm): 10 to 25 pounds each.
Shrubs (3-litre pot): 10 to 20 pounds each.
Shrubs (10-litre pot): 20 to 45 pounds each.
Specimen trees: 50 to 500 pounds each depending on species and size.
Herbaceous perennials (2-litre pot): 6 to 12 pounds each.
Bedding plants (seasonal): 1 to 3 pounds each.

Mulch and Decorative Aggregates

Bark mulch: 3 to 6 pounds per bag (covers approximately 1 square metre at 50mm depth), or 60 to 90 pounds per bulk bag (covers approximately 8 to 12 square metres).
Decorative gravel (20mm): 50 to 80 pounds per tonne (covers approximately 12 to 15 square metres at 40mm depth).
Decorative slate chippings: 80 to 140 pounds per tonne.

Step 5: Calculate Labour Costs

Labour is where your skill and experience translates into profit. Here are typical timeframes for common landscaping tasks, based on a team of 2 labourers.

Ground Works

Excavation for patio (150mm depth, by hand): approximately 8 to 12 square metres per day per person.
Excavation for patio (150mm depth, mini digger): approximately 30 to 50 square metres per day.
Laying sub-base and compacting: approximately 20 to 30 square metres per day (team of 2).
Mini digger hire: 120 to 180 pounds per day (self-drive) or 250 to 350 pounds per day (with operator).

Paving

Block paving (herringbone pattern): 10 to 15 square metres per day (team of 2).
Slab paving (600x600 or 900x600, random lay): 8 to 12 square metres per day (team of 2).
Porcelain paving (primed and laid on full bed): 6 to 10 square metres per day (team of 2) — slower because porcelain requires full coverage adhesive or mortar bed and primer.

Fencing

Panel fencing (posts in postcrete): 8 to 12 panels per day (team of 2), approximately 16 to 24 linear metres.
Close-board fencing (post and rail with boards): 8 to 12 linear metres per day (team of 2).
Old fence removal: 15 to 25 panels per day (team of 2).

Decking

Timber decking (including subframe): 4 to 8 square metres per day (team of 2).
Composite decking (including subframe): 4 to 6 square metres per day (team of 2) — slightly slower due to hidden fixings and precision cutting.

Turfing

Ground preparation (rotavate, level, rake): 30 to 50 square metres per day (team of 2).
Laying turf: 60 to 100 square metres per day (team of 2).

Planting

Hedge planting (bare root, trench method): 30 to 50 plants per day (team of 2).
Border planting (mixed shrubs and perennials): 15 to 30 plants per day (team of 2), depending on pot sizes and soil conditions.

Your day rate for a two-person landscaping team should cover both wages, your profit margin, tool and equipment wear, vehicle costs, fuel, and overheads. In 2026, typical day rates for a two-person landscaping team range from 350 to 550 pounds per day depending on your region and overheads. Use our day rate calculator to work out the right figure for your business.

Step 6: Account for Waste Removal

Waste removal is a significant cost on landscaping projects and is one of the most commonly underquoted elements. Landscaping generates a lot of heavy waste — soil, rubble, old paving, old fencing, green waste — and disposing of it properly costs money.

Skip hire (4-yard mini skip): 200 to 300 pounds. Suitable for small projects.
Skip hire (6-yard): 250 to 400 pounds. Suitable for medium projects.
Skip hire (8-yard): 300 to 500 pounds. Suitable for larger projects.
Grab lorry (for bulk soil/rubble removal): 250 to 400 pounds per load (approximately 8 to 10 tonnes).
Green waste disposal: Most local tips accept green waste free of charge, but your time and fuel for tip runs costs money. Budget 50 to 100 pounds per large trailer load including your time.

Always overestimate rather than underestimate waste removal costs. A full garden excavation generates far more spoil than most people expect — removing 150mm of soil from a 30 square metre patio area generates approximately 4.5 cubic metres or 7 to 8 tonnes of soil. That is nearly a full grab lorry load just for the patio excavation.

Step 7: Seasonal Pricing Considerations

Landscaping is a seasonal trade, and this affects both your pricing and your workflow. Understanding seasonal patterns helps you quote competitively while maintaining profitability throughout the year.

Spring (March to May)

The busiest season. Customers are thinking about their gardens as the weather improves, and this is when most enquiries come in. You can price at your full rates during spring because demand typically exceeds supply. This is also the best time for planting most shrubs and laying turf.

Summer (June to August)

Still busy but can be affected by very hot weather (hard to lay turf, difficult working conditions, customers reluctant to have their garden disrupted during peak enjoyment season). Maintain full pricing but be realistic about scheduling around weather and customer preferences.

Autumn (September to November)

An excellent time for hard landscaping — the ground is still workable, the weather is usually mild, and customers want their gardens finished before winter. Demand starts to taper off in November. Autumn is also the ideal planting season for bare-root hedging and many trees.

Winter (December to February)

The quietest period. Ground conditions are often poor (frozen, waterlogged), daylight hours are short, and customer demand drops significantly. Some landscapers offer 10 to 15 percent discounts during winter to maintain workflow. Hard landscaping can be done in winter if conditions allow, but turfing and most planting should be avoided during severe cold.

Step 8: Sample Quote — Garden Patio and Fencing Project

Here is a sample quote for a common landscaping project — a new 20 square metre patio with a 15-linear-metre fence replacement and new lawn (40 square metres), in a garden with good rear access.

Demolition and Clearance
Remove existing patio slabs (12m2), remove old panel fencing (15m), clear overgrown beds — 450.00
Skip hire (6-yard) — 320.00

Patio — Indian Sandstone (20m2)
Excavation to 200mm depth — included in labour
MOT Type 1 sub-base (3 tonnes) — 120.00
Sharp sand and cement (laying course) — 85.00
Indian sandstone paving slabs (calibrated, mixed sizes) — 700.00
Pointing compound — 55.00
Patio labour (excavate, lay sub-base, lay slabs, point) — 5 days at 450/day — 2,250.00

Fencing — Close-Board (15 linear metres)
Concrete posts (9 no.) — 180.00
Timber rails, featherboard, capping — 520.00
Gravel boards (9 no.) — 90.00
Postcrete (9 bags) — 45.00
Fencing labour — 2 days at 450/day — 900.00

New Lawn (40m2)
Rotavate, level, and prepare ground — included in labour
Topsoil (2 tonnes) — 75.00
Turf (40m2 + 10% waste) — 175.00
Turfing labour (prepare and lay) — 1 day at 450/day — 450.00

Sundries
Weed membrane, edging, cable ties, miscellaneous fixings — 65.00

Total (excl. VAT): 6,480.00

This breaks down to approximately 112.50 per square metre for the patio (fully installed), 125 per linear metre for close-board fencing (fully installed), and 17.50 per square metre for the new lawn (fully installed). These are typical mid-range prices for the UK in 2026.

Present your quote as a professional PDF document with your business details, customer details, a clear scope, itemised pricing, a timeline, and your terms. Use our profit margin calculator to check your margins before sending. Read our guide on why professional proposals win more work for evidence that presentation matters.

Step 9: Present and Follow Up

Send your quote within 48 hours of the site visit. Landscaping is a considered purchase — customers typically get 2 to 4 quotes and take 1 to 3 weeks to decide. Being the first to submit a professional, detailed quote gives you a significant advantage.

Include a covering message explaining the key points: the total price, proposed start date, estimated duration, and any decisions the customer needs to make (such as choosing paving colours or fence style). If you have included design suggestions or alternative options, highlight these in your message.

Follow up within 7 to 10 days if you have not heard back. Landscaping decisions take time — customers are often comparing quotes, discussing with partners, or waiting for other quotes to arrive. A polite follow-up call shows professionalism and keeps you front of mind. Our guide on how to follow up on a quote covers the best approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does landscaping cost per square metre in the UK?

Landscaping costs vary enormously depending on the type of work. In 2026, basic turfing costs 10 to 20 pounds per square metre including preparation. Standard block paving costs 60 to 100 pounds per square metre fully installed. Natural stone paving costs 80 to 150 pounds per square metre. Porcelain paving costs 90 to 160 pounds per square metre. Composite decking costs 80 to 140 pounds per square metre. These prices include materials, sub-base preparation, and labour.

How long does a garden landscaping project take?

A simple garden project like laying a new lawn or building a small patio takes 2 to 5 days. A medium-sized project including paving, fencing, and planting takes 1 to 3 weeks. A full garden transformation with multiple elements (paving, decking, retaining walls, planting, lighting) can take 3 to 6 weeks or longer. Weather is a significant factor — ground works and paving should ideally be done in dry conditions.

What is the best time of year for landscaping work?

The best time for hard landscaping (paving, fencing, retaining walls) is spring through to early autumn when the ground is dry and workable. Planting is best done in autumn or early spring when plants can establish before summer heat or winter cold. Turfing can be done year-round but establishes best in spring and autumn. Winter is generally the quietest period for landscapers, and some offer discounted rates during November to February to maintain workflow.

Do I need planning permission for landscaping work?

Most domestic landscaping work falls under permitted development and does not require planning permission. However, there are exceptions. If the front garden is being paved and the area exceeds 5 square metres, you must use permeable paving or direct runoff to a permeable area within the property boundary. Walls and fences above 2 metres (or 1 metre adjacent to a highway) require planning permission. Decking that is more than 30cm above ground level may require permission. Always check with the local authority if you are unsure.