UK Landscaper's Complete Guide to Quoting Garden Transformations

UK garden transformations combine multiple skills: design, hard landscaping, planting, and project management.

Here's how to quote complete garden projects profitably.

Understanding UK Garden Project Scope

Project Types and Budgets

Small Garden Refresh (£2,000-8,000)

• New planting scheme
• Lawn renovation
• Minor paving repairs
• Garden clearance

Medium Garden Makeover (£8,000-25,000)

• New patio or deck
• Planting beds and borders
• Lawn installation
• Fencing
• Basic lighting

Large Garden Transformation (£25,000-75,000+)

• Complete redesign
• Multiple zones
• Water features
• Outdoor kitchen/living
• Extensive planting
• Irrigation systems

Hard Landscaping Quotation

Paving and Patios

Material Costs (Supply Only)

• Concrete slabs: £15-30/m²
• Natural stone: £40-100/m²
• Porcelain: £35-80/m²
• Block paving: £25-50/m²
• Resin bound: £50-90/m²

Installation Labour

• Excavation: £15-25/m²
• Sub-base preparation: £20-35/m²
• Laying (slabs): £25-45/m²
• Laying (block paving): £35-55/m²
• Pointing/jointing: £8-15/m²

Complete Installed Prices

• Budget patio: £80-120/m²
• Mid-range patio: £120-180/m²
• Premium patio: £180-300/m²

Fencing

Supply and Install Prices

• Closeboard 6ft: £80-120/linear metre
• Featherboard 6ft: £70-100/linear metre
• Trellis top: Add £20-30/linear metre
• Concrete posts: Add £15-25/post
• Gravel boards: Add £10-15/linear metre

Decking

Softwood Decking

• Supply and install: £100-150/m²
• Including subframe and fixings

Composite Decking

• Supply and install: £150-250/m²
• Premium composites: £250-400/m²

Walling and Edging

Retaining Walls

• Sleeper wall (single height): £80-120/linear metre
• Block wall (up to 1m): £150-250/linear metre
• Natural stone wall: £200-400/linear metre

Edging

• Metal edging: £15-25/linear metre
• Stone edging: £25-40/linear metre
• Brick edging: £30-50/linear metre

Soft Landscaping Quotation

Lawn Installation

Turf

• Supply: £4-8/m²
• Preparation and laying: £8-15/m²
• Total installed: £12-23/m²

Seeding

• Preparation: £5-10/m²
• Seed and application: £3-6/m²
• Total: £8-16/m²

Planting

Labour Rates

• Planting small plants (up to 3L): £3-5 each
• Planting medium shrubs (5-10L): £8-15 each
• Planting large shrubs (15L+): £15-30 each
• Tree planting: £50-150+ each

Plant Pricing Strategy

• Cost price + 30-50% markup
• Or use allowances for customer selection

Soil and Mulch

Topsoil

• Bulk bag (0.5m³): £60-90 delivered
• Loose load: £35-50/m³ + delivery
• Spreading: £20-30/m³

Mulch/Bark

• Bulk bag: £50-80 delivered
• Spreading: £15-25/m³

Seasonal Considerations

Best Seasons for Work

Spring (March-May)

• Ideal for planting
• Good for turf laying
• Paving possible (weather dependent)
• High demand period

Summer (June-August)

• Peak season
• All work possible
• Watering requirements for planting
• Longest days = most productivity

Autumn (September-November)

• Excellent for planting
• Good for hard landscaping
• Turf laying ideal
• Prepare for winter

Winter (December-February)

• Hard landscaping only (frost permitting)
• No planting
• Reduced productivity
• Lower demand = potential discounts

Seasonal Pricing Adjustments

• Peak season (April-September): Standard rates
• Off-season (October-March): Consider 10-15% discount
• Winter work: Add contingency for weather delays

Quote Structure for Garden Projects

Section 1: Site Preparation

• Clearance and demolition
• Skip hire and waste disposal
• Access and protection

Section 2: Hard Landscaping

• Excavation and groundworks
• Drainage (if required)
• Paving/decking/walling
• Fencing

Section 3: Soft Landscaping

• Soil preparation
• Planting (itemised or allowance)
• Lawn installation
• Mulching

Section 4: Features and Extras

• Lighting
• Irrigation
• Water features
• Furniture (if supplied)

Section 5: Maintenance (Optional)

• Initial aftercare
• Ongoing maintenance package

VAT Considerations

Standard Rate (20%)

• All landscaping work
• Materials
• Design fees

Quote Presentation

Always show VAT separately:

Subtotal: £15,000

VAT (20%): £3,000

**Total: £18,000**

Using QuoteOS for Landscaping Quotes

1. **Enter garden dimensions** — Zones and areas
2. **Select elements** — Paving, planting, lawn
3. **AI calculates quantities** — Materials and labour
4. **Add plant allowances** — Or itemise
5. **Generate professional quote** — With VAT

Try QuoteOS free → [Landscaper Quoting Software](/trades/landscapers)