Cost for help in garden

[mummymummymummy123456]

I’ve seen on my local FB group someone paying £8ph for a young person to help tidy their garden.

i think that’s far too little but someone was recommended and he’s £70 full day. He’s a labourer on site, no transport.

is that not a bit too little?

My gardener who cuts the lawns charges £40 to cut front and back and strim the edges and use a blower to clean the grass off the patio etc. I pay him an extra £10-20 if he trims shrubs and clears up depending on how long it takes him. I have a teenager who does a couple of hours here and there weeding for £10 per hour, it’s hard work and I think that’s the minimum that’s fair for anyone.

That’s very cheap

I agree. I get £100 a day doing temping office work that’s answering the phone and an occasional email.

But that’s with income tax and no pid by employer? Plus holiday etc

My gardener charges 15/hour . He’s fantastic and does a great job . I’d pay more if he asked ! He’s worth his weight in gold !

Teenagers are unlikely to pay income tax and NI. What is wrong with them trying to earn a bit of money for themselves and get some experience? It sounds like you’re begrudging them doing this, we actually need more jobs like this for teenagers to do.

My young person only wants roughly the same plus he has a quad so disposes of the grass cuttings. Its a large garden but he strims and cuts all the main areas. I literally have to force him to take £20/30. He won't use my petrol either 🙄

My comment refers to the pay amount an not the fact they are teenagers.

Paying someone £10 per hour for babysitting is also too low!!

But it’s minimum wage for teenagers, it’s not illegal pay and reasonable for young inexperienced people wanting to get work experience.

I think it depends on whether the children need any attention.

If they are asleep when the 16 year old babysitter gets there, and stay asleep until the parents return when expected and well before midnight, so the babysitter can get on with their homework/scrolling/TV watching then it's not bad.

Usually gardeners quote for a job, not per hour. Agree that if they do waste removal ot can add significantly to the price.

In the UK (from 1 April 2026):
Age
Minimum hourly rate
21 and over (National Living Wage)
£12.71
18–20
£10.85
16–17
£8.00
Apprentices (under 19, or first year)
£8.00

National Living Wage vs Real Living Wage
National Living Wage (£12.71) – the legal minimum employers must pay workers aged 21+ (unless an exemption applies).
GOV.UK

Real Living Wage (£13.45 across the UK / £14.80 in London) – a voluntary rate set by the Living Wage Foundation based on the cost of living. Only employers who choose to become accredited are required to pay it.

Given the above, it looks like they are paying the apprentice rate?

Personally I think we should be encouraging our youth to work and paying a decent hourly rate, irrespective of their age.

Either that or the rate for 16 - 17 year olds.
That may be appropriate if the young person is aged under 18.

16–17
£8.00
Apprentices (under 19, or first year)
£8.00

Depends where you live, and supply/demand. 🤷‍♀️