Garden Design Implementation Budgets & Costs
At Urban Plot, we believe that great garden design doesn't just transform your outdoor space but also adds long-term value to your home. But what does it actually cost to turn that dream garden into reality? Below, we've broken down the expected costs for the most common elements of garden landscaping, including patios, decking, planting, trees, fencing, levelling, and raised beds.
Landscaping: Materials and Labour Costs
1. Laying a Patio: Material & Labour Costs
Your patio is the centrepiece of outdoor living, and the material you choose will have a big impact on both the style and the cost. Here’s a breakdown of material and labour costs per square metre (£/m²).
Patio costs vary by material and the complexity of the job. Natural stones like granite or slate will significantly increase the price compared to concrete, but they add a timeless, luxurious finish.
Labour also increases for different types of finish either due to the complexity of cutting, levelling and laying the more expensive materials or from the increased weight which can mean more people power to get them in and down.
Patio costs vary by material and the complexity of the job. Natural stones like granite or slate will significantly increase the price compared to concrete, but they add a timeless, luxurious finish.
2. Laying Decking: Material & Labour Costs
Decking creates a sleek, modern space. The type of decking material you choose will influence both cost and durability.
Note: Painting or staining softwood decking can cost an extra £2-£5 per square metre dependent on the stain or paint.
Composite decking is maintenance-free and lasts longer, though the upfront cost is significantly higher. Softwood options are cheaper but may require regular maintenance, which can add to long-term costs.
3. Plant Costs: Young vs Mature Plants
Plants are the essence of a garden's beauty, but buying mature plants offers instant impact—at a price.
Mature plants will give your garden an established look from day one, while younger plants are budget-friendly but will take time to reach full size.
4. Tree Costs: Saplings vs Mature Trees
Trees provide structure and longevity to your garden design, but size and maturity greatly influence cost.
Mature trees are more expensive but offer immediate shade and height. If you're happy to wait, saplings provide a more economical option.
5. Fencing: Material & Labour Costs
Fencing not only defines boundaries but also provides privacy and security. The type of fencing you choose will dictate the overall cost.
*Side Note: Painting timber fencing typically costs around £5 - £10 per metre.*
Cheaper timber options require more maintenance, while composite fencing costs more upfront but is low-maintenance and long-lasting.
6. Garden Levelling Costs
If your garden isn't level, preparation work could be required before landscaping begins. The cost depends on the amount of soil to be moved and the height difference.
Levelling a garden often requires excavation, retaining walls, or new layers of topsoil.Cheaper timber options require more maintenance, while composite fencing costs more upfront but is low-maintenance and long-lasting.
7. Raised Beds: Sleeper, Stone, or Dry Stone Walling
Raised beds are perfect for a striking, functional garden. Depending on the material you choose, prices vary.
Note: There is also the cost of filling a raised bed, which depending on the height will require a mix of compost, top soil and some sand. This will cost about £75 per cubic metre.
Timber railway sleepers are a cost-effective option, while stone and dry stone walling provide a premium, long-lasting finish with a rustic charm.
Our Garden Design Services
Planting Border Design Package
95
Custom design of a beautiful bespoke planting scheme for your border
Layout & Zoning Design Package
149
Bespoke design laying out the structure of your garden's patio & borders
Complete Package: Border + Layout
225
Includes all the features of both the border and zoning design packages
Bringing It All Together: Some Cost Estimates For Different Sized Gardens
Here’s a breakdown of the estimated cost ranges for different garden projects based on their specifications. Each garden scenario covers basic, medium, and high-spec options to help you estimate total costs.
1. General Guide for Cost per Square Metre
YThe overall cost per square metre will depend on the combination of materials, complexity, and labour. For a garden with a typical mix of patio, decking, turf, and planting, you can estimate as follows:
down.
These general ranges take into account a blend of patio, decking, turf, and planting, but the total cost will depend on your design and choice of materials.
2. Small Courtyard Garden (approx. 25sqm)
Features: Fully paved with patio, 3 small raised planters , 2 small trees, slatted perimeter fencing (painted).
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Basic Spec: Basic concrete paving, softwood sleepers for planters, cheaper trees, and painted timber fencing.
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Medium Spec: Natural stone patio, timber sleepers, higher-quality trees, slatted timber fencing.
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High Spec: Porcelain or granite paving, hardwood sleepers, mature trees, and premium fencing.
3. Small Back Garden (100sqm)
Features: 15% paving, 10% decking, 25% grass (turf), 50% planting.
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Basic Spec: Basic paving, softwood decking, turf, and young plants.
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Medium Spec: Sandstone paving, mid-range composite decking, turf, and a mix of young and semi-mature plants.
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High Spec: Premium porcelain or granite paving, high-end composite decking, and mature plants.
4. Small Back Garden (100sqm) - Version 2
Features: 25% patio, 25% grass (turf), 50% planting, including 2 small trees.
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Basic Spec: Basic concrete or lower-end stone patio, turf, young plants, and small sapling trees.
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Medium Spec: Sandstone patio, good quality turf, semi-mature plants, and small trees.
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High Spec: Premium stone or porcelain paving, high-end turf, mature trees, and fully planted beds.
5. Medium Back Garden (150sqm)
Features: 25% patio, 25% grass (turf), 50% planting, including 2 small trees.
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Basic Spec: Basic concrete or lower-end stone patio, turf, young plants, and small sapling trees.
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Medium Spec: Sandstone patio, good quality turf, semi-mature plants, and small trees.
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High Spec: Premium stone or porcelain paving, high-end turf, mature trees, and fully planted beds.
6. Medium Back Garden with 2m Level Change (150sqm)
Features: 25% patio, 25% grass (turf), 50% planting, including 2 small trees, with additional levelling work for a 2m height difference.
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Basic Spec: Concrete paving, budget turf, young plants, sapling trees, and simple terracing for the level change.
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Medium Spec: Sandstone paving, quality turf, semi-mature plants, and mid-level terracing with retaining walls.
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High Spec: Porcelain or granite paving, high-end turf, mature trees, and complex, beautifully finished terracing.
Levelling adds a significant cost depending on the slope and whether retaining walls, drainage, or additional landscaping are required.
7. Larger Back Garden (200sqm)
Features: 25% patio, 25% grass (turf), 50% planting, including 2 small trees.
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Basic Spec: Concrete or budget-friendly stone patio, simple turf, young plants, and sapling trees.
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Medium Spec: Sandstone paving, mid-range turf, a mix of young and semi-mature plants, and small trees.
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High Spec: High-end paving, premium turf, mature trees, and fully landscaped, high-quality planting beds.
Summary of Key Cost Factors:
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Materials: The choice between basic materials (e.g., concrete vs porcelain) impacts cost significantly.
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Labour: More complex designs and features (like levelling or dry stone walling) increase labour costs.
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Plants: Mature plants and trees are more expensive than saplings or young shrubs.
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Features: Adding decking, raised beds, or premium fencing will increase costs.
Each garden scenario can be tailored to fit different budgets by adjusting materials, plant maturity, and the complexity of the design.
Links
At Urban Plot we provide garden design services across the UK for urban, suburban, city and town gardens. See a list of some of the areas we cover here. You can also read our guide on Garden Landscaping Cost Guide to get an idea of how much it could cost to implement your garden design.
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