What is a realistic budget for landscaping a back garden?

[Bluebruin]

My neighbour has a postage stamp garden 5 panels long by 4 panels wide plus a patio. They paid 36k to have it landscaped and it took a staggering 10weeks. That money included a solid retaining wall which was covered in granite, ditto the patio. It looks like corporate London but each to their own. I give this for reference as local properties can absorb this expense. However I do think they over did it a bit with the granite. My garden is a bit bigger, 7 x 7 panels square. It really needs landscaping from scratch as it was ploughed up when we built an extension. I don't have 36k hanging around but we intend to save up & do it properly. What would be a realistic budget? Local houses sell for 1.5M.

Thanks @ChillyB 🙂.

Watch Your Garden Made Perfect. Budgets on there are anything from 12k to 30k.

You could get a couple of quotes, see what local landscape gardeners suggest...

Whatever you do, make sure you check the insurance certificate of the trades people you use. You need assurance that they have insurance for something going wrong during the build, and also for poor workmanship after they have left.

Don't ask me how I know to check this. I just know 🤦‍♂️

We spent £20k on ours in 2022. It's about 15m x 30m.

The whole space had been gravelled so a large proportion of the cost was taking up the gravel, hard core and membrane and putting in soil, top soil, levelling it all and then putting in a lawn. We also installed a small patio (4m x 4m) and had some fence (about 5m) replaced. We have done planting ourselves.

The work the landscapers did was to take it from "1970's municipal car park" to a blank canvass, plus the small patio.

It took 12 working days in total, over about 3 weeks. We're in Berkshire.

@Sunnyshoeshine that sounds reasonable. Can I get the name of the company you used? I'm in SE Londo and currently planning to redo our garden.

@Sunnyshoeshine sounds like you got a lot done. Would you mind sharing the company you used please? Also in SE London and garden is a state! Many thanks

With your garden being a bit bigger than your neighbor's and needing a complete overhaul, it's smart to start saving up for the project. Considering the local property values and the scale of your garden, aiming for a budget of around $20k to $30k seems reasonable. This budget should allow you to create a beautiful and functional outdoor space without breaking the bank. Be sure to take your time planning and researching to ensure you get the most out of your budget. If you're looking for inspiration, checking out Luxury Landscaping Company Ottawa could give you some great ideas for your project.

If that just for the patio you'll have a bargain . I paid 9 for ours 15 years ago but ours is big and we had a lot of grass replaced with patio,also had steps built. Any building work is a lot unfortunately.

Hiya I’m in SW London and looking to get my garden done- would you recommend the ppl who did yours and if so, are you happy to share details/ link here? Thank you!

This has come up on the ‘threads I’m on’. We’re now getting quotes for hard and soft landscaping our garden. I’ve been told that I should allow £150-250 psm for a basic spec, £200-350 psm for a mid range spec and £350+ psm, all plus VAT and a10% London uplift for materials and labour. Cost will depend on site level, access and (largely) spec.

I had my favourite house's garden landscaped in 2018 fairly cheaply by fitting in with contractors. It was still £6k and it was just digging out, decking and a patio. I bought the plants later.

For the garden here I'm not paying much more (when and if I do it) and I may end up just making do but I do have very mature plants. A garden is such a lot of work 😥