Garden landscaping stages, costs and timings
A full garden redesign runs through seven stages, from design to handover, over 3 to 6 weeks on site. For a garden up to about 100 m², it usually costs £2,000 to £15,000. Most of the value is in groundworks you cannot see once the paving is down.
Updated 9 November 2026
What are the stages of a garden landscaping project?
Each stage, its usual share of the cost, what that is on a £15,000 job, and how long it takes on site. Stages often overlap.
| Stage | Share | On £15,000 | Time on site |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Design, survey and setting out | 8% | £1,200 | 1 to 2 weeks, mostly off site |
| 2. Clearance and excavation | 12% | £1,800 | 3 to 7 days |
| 3. Groundworks, sub-base and drainage | 20% | £3,000 | 1 to 2 weeks |
| 4. Hard landscaping | 30% | £4,500 | 1 to 3 weeks |
| 5. Boundaries, structures, lighting and irrigation | 15% | £2,250 | 3 to 7 days |
| 6. Soft landscaping | 12% | £1,800 | 3 to 7 days |
| 7. Snagging and handover | 3% | £450 | 2 to 4 days, plus a check after rain |
What should you check before you approve each stage?
Approve a stage when it is done and you have seen these. Ask for photos of anything that will be covered up.
1. Design, survey and setting out
Done when: A scaled plan with levels, materials and planting agreed, and the layout pegged out.
- A plan with dimensions and levels, and a schedule naming every material and plant.
- Any retaining wall over 1 metre identified and priced.
- The access route agreed in writing, with who repairs any damage.
2. Clearance and excavation
Done when: Old lawn, planting and paving gone, the ground dug to level, and the spoil removed.
- Spoil removal in the price, with the number of loads stated.
- A scan for buried cables and pipes before any digging.
- Dated photos of the boundaries and the house before the crew arrived.
3. Groundworks, sub-base and drainage
Done when: Falls set, drainage in, and the sub-base laid and compacted in layers.
- Dated photos of the sub-base with a tape measure showing its depth. This is the most valuable photo of the job.
- A level reading showing a fall away from the house of at least 1 in 80.
- The finished paving level at least 150mm below the damp proof course.
4. Hard landscaping
Done when: Paving, steps, edging, walls and decking built to the falls.
- Slabs on a full mortar bed. Tap each one: a hollow sound means it is not.
- Delivery notes that match the stone specified, all from one batch.
- An engineer’s detail for any wall holding back more than 1 metre.
5. Boundaries, structures, lighting and irrigation
Done when: Fences and structures up, and lighting and watering connected and working.
- Post depths photographed before concreting.
- An electrical certificate for anything on mains power.
- A recorded pressure test for the irrigation.
6. Soft landscaping
Done when: Topsoil spread, plants in to the schedule, and turf laid or seed sown.
- Topsoil depth measured: at least 100mm under turf and 300mm in beds.
- The plants delivered checked against the planting schedule.
- A written watering plan, and the date watering becomes your job.
7. Snagging and handover
Done when: Site clean, snag list closed, and warranties and guarantees handed over.
- A walk round the garden after real rain.
- A 12-month plant warranty and a 24-month workmanship warranty in the contract.
- A dated, photographed snag list with every item closed.
How much does a garden landscaping project cost?
| Type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Full redesign, garden up to about 100 m² | £2,000 to £15,000 |
| Full redesign, large garden of about 150 m² | £22,000 to £45,000 |
| Paving or patio | £70 to £300 per m² |
| Decking | £80 to £250 per m² |
| New turf | £10 to £25 per m² |
None of these sources says whether VAT is included. Many landscapers are not VAT registered, so check each quote. Labour costs more where there is no side access, and in London and the South East.
These ranges come from:
- Checkatrade, “How much does a garden makeover cost in 2026?” (opens in a new tab), read November 2026.
- MyBuilder, “Garden Landscaping Costs in the UK” (opens in a new tab), read November 2026.
- Livingetc, “How Much Does Landscaping a Garden Cost in 2025?” (opens in a new tab), read November 2026.
How long does a garden landscaping project take?
3 to 6 weeks on site, or 4 to 8 weeks with the weather, which affects gardens more than most building work. A patio on its own takes 2 to 5 days.
Does a landscaper need to be VAT registered?
No. Many landscapers trade below the VAT threshold, so you may not pay VAT on the work. Check each quote rather than assuming either way.
How should you pay for a garden landscaping project?
Agree a price for each stage before work starts, and release it once you have checked the work.
Keep 5% back from the last stage until the snag list is closed and you have walked the garden after real rain. Drainage faults do not show in dry weather.
With Renopay, the money for each stage is held securely until you approve the work.
Read next: Paying for garden landscaping · Driveways, garden rooms and outdoor builds