If your garden is looking a bit worse for wear, you may be considering a full garden renovation. Our gardens are a wonderful social and relaxation space, and if they’re in need of work it can take the enjoyment out of using them.

So if your garden needs a revamp, how much will it set you back? We’ll go through garden renovation costs in this guide.

How much does the average garden renovation cost?

Garden renovation costs in the UK can vary widely depending on factors such as the size of the garden, the extent of the renovation and the materials and features you want to include. Expect to pay anywhere between £5,000 to £20,000 for a complete garden renovation.

These prices are based on a full renovation in an average-sized garden with extensive soft and hard landscaping features. For very large gardens you will pay more, and for smaller gardens with only soft landscaping elements you’re likely to pay less.

How to plan a garden renovation

If you’re sure you want to renovate your garden, it’s important that you come up with a plan. There are a few steps you can take to ensure your garden renovation runs on budget and exactly as you want – some of these you can do before contacting a landscaper, and others you can liaise with your landscaper to help the project run smoothly:

1. Assessment: Begin by assessing the current state of your garden and identifying areas that need improvement or renovation. How do you want to use your garden? Are social spaces important to you, or aesthetic features?

2. Budgeting: Determine your budget for the renovation and prioritise the features and elements you want to include based on your budget constraints. Try not to overstretch yourself – a good rule of thumb is to spend 5% of your property’s value on landscaping to ensure you reap the rewards when you come to sell.

3. Design: Develop a garden design or plan that incorporates your vision for the space, taking into account factors such as layout, landscaping, hardscaping and plant selection. You should also consider how much maintenance you want to carry out in your newly-landscaped garden. Factors you’ll need to consider include:

• Borders: Will they be deep or narrow? What kind of plants do you want to grow in them and what colours would you like?

• Hardscaping: Do you need a new fence, wall or hedge? Do you want to add a patio or path? Raised beds are also ideal for adding interest and height to your garden.

• Features: What about a shed or garden room? Perhaps you’d like a pergola or other structure?

Speak to your landscaper about your vision for your garden so they can come up with a design that you’ll love for years to come.

How long does a garden renovation take?

How long a garden renovation takes depends on the amount of work involved, the weather conditions and the availability of materials. A full garden renovation with various hard and soft landscaping elements could take anywhere between 2 months to a year to complete.

To give you an idea of how long a garden renovation takes, here’s a typical timeline:

Weeks 1-8: Design phase

A garden landscape designer may take anywhere between 1 to 8 weeks to design your garden, depending on what features you’d like and how big your garden is. Make sure you tell your designer everything you want in the design so they can come up with a plan that exactly meets your requirements.

Weeks 9-11: Preparation and groundwork

Your landscapers will need to prepare your garden for work before they can start with the visual elements. How long this takes will depend on the current state of your garden, but it could be anywhere between 1 and 3 weeks.

If your garden is very overgrown with weeds and shrubs, you may need to pay for garden clearance before any work can start. It usually costs an average of £330 per day to have your garden cleared, but you may be able to get it cheaper if the same firm carries out the clearance and renovation work.

You can save money by clearing your garden of any obstructions, such as decking or sheds, before the work starts. Once your garden is cleared, your landscapers can come in and amend the soil and prepare the ground.

Weeks 12-14: Hard landscaping

If your garden renovation includes hard landscaping features like paths, patios, retaining walls or garden ponds, your landscapers will begin this work next. Depending on the complexity of your design, this could take anywhere between a few days to 3 weeks.

Weeks 15-16: Planting

Once the hardscaping is complete, your landscapers will move onto soft landscaping like making flower beds and planting. They may lay turf and plant shrubs depending on your requirements. This can take a few days to 2 weeks depending on how big your garden is.

Once planting is complete, your garden renovation is finished! It may take a few months before you notice the plants and flowers establish and bloom – it’s important to speak to your landscapers about how much you need to water your garden and what maintenance tasks are required.

Do I need planning permission to redo my garden?

In most cases, you don’t need planning permission to redo your garden, providing the changes don’t significantly alter the appearance of your property. Tasks like laying turf and making flower beds don’t ever require planning permission, but there are some things that may. You may need to apply for planning permission if:

• You are adding decking that is more than 30cm from the ground

• You want to add a shed or garden room and it will mean that outbuildings or extensions exceed 50% of the total area of curtilage

• A garden wall or fence will exceed 1 metre if adjacent to a road, or 2 metres anywhere else

• You live in a listed building

If you’re unsure about whether your garden renovation project requires planning permission, it’s always best to consult your local building control before starting any work.

What time of year is best to renovate my garden?

The best time to renovate your garden depends on how much the work involves and how much you like to enjoy your garden in the summer. If you renovate your garden during the autumn, winter or early spring, your garden will be ready for you to enjoy in the warmer months. However, you’re more likely to experience project delays due to bad weather in the autumn and winter.

Your landscapers may recommend waiting to plant flowers and shrubs during the spring to allow them to establish, but they will advise on the best course of action.

Do garden improvements add value to my property?

Yes, well-designed and professionally executed garden improvements can significantly increase the value of your property. A well-maintained and attractive garden enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of your home, creates additional living space and improves the functionality and usability of outdoor areas, all of which can make your property more attractive to potential buyers and increase its resale value.

Can I renovate my garden myself?

Yes, you can renovate your garden yourself, especially if the changes you want to make are minor. However, consider how much time and effort it will take you. You may find that it takes you much longer than planned and your garden isn’t ready for the summer, or you may run into problems that you end up needing a landscaper to help you anyway.

If you plan to have a larger-scale garden renovation done, with structural changes, hardscaping or custom-built elements, it’s best to leave it to the professionals to ensure that everything is done correctly.

Before taking on a DIY garden renovation, carefully consider your skills, resources and the scope of work involved, and be prepared to seek professional assistance if necessary to ensure you get the outcome you want.

If you’d prefer to leave it to the pros, post your job on HaMuch now. We’ll put you in touch with reliable landscapers in your area who will be happy to help.

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