How much does a complete garden makeover cost in the UK?

A garden makeover tops the wishlists of many Cambridgeshire and Suffolk residents.

Renovating your garden can really enhance your home and give you a place to relax in the warm weather – as well as in the winter if you factor that into the design.

But with so many elements that go into making a beautiful outside space, it’s hard to know where to start when budgeting a garden renovation. Plus, giving your garden a makeover can add value to your property, offsetting the final cost of the project, in some cases by 100%.

Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to consider when working out how much your garden makeover is going to cost, from hiring a designer to laying turf.

Garden makeover designer

Your garden is going to be the setting for a lot of treasured memories, so working with a professional that can draw up something that’s perfectly suited to your lifestyle (and budget) is key.

Rates for garden designers vary based on experience and ability, but according to Checkatrade, you can expect to pay between £500 and £1,800 for garden design and planning services.

Many landscaping companies will design and complete the entire project, meaning you can likely get a package price that includes design.

Lawn

A fresh, green lawn is the pièce de résistance of a beautiful garden, so it’s worth investing in something that really makes your garden renovation worthwhile.

Checkatrade puts a new lawn at between £10 and £30/m2. The rate you’ll pay will depend on the quality of the turf or whether you opt to plant grass seeds.

If you go for artificial grass, you can expect to pay quite a bit more, around £30 to £60/rm2, but think of the time and energy you’ll save on mowing!

Plants and flowers

Brightening up your garden renovation with some well-chosen plants and flowers can really take your outside space to the next level.

The price range for plants and flowers is pretty wide. You can buy flowers locally at the garden centre for a few pounds each or spend a little more for something extra special.

Getagardener.co.uk prices heathers at £2-10, succulents at £3-20, flowering plants at £3-80 and trees at £3-60.

Of course, you’ll want to build flower beds to properly display your blooms, which according to Householdquotes.co.uk will set you back between £270 to £840 for two beds measuring 4 X 1.5 metres, including labour.

Decking

Decking can add a practical feature to your garden renovation, giving you a comfortable place to host guests for barbecues, or simply relax with your morning coffee and newspaper.

According to Checktrade, the average decking at ground level costs around £2,300, while elevated decking with railings and stairs might be more like £22,000.

Fortunately, you won’t need planning permission for decking in the UK, provided it’s lower than 30cm above ground and doesn’t cover more than half of your garden.

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Garden paving

Kitting out your new garden with a patio or stone walkway not only looks great, but also makes for sure footing and keeps people off your lovely new lawn.

A new patio costs around £70/m2, according to householdquotes.co.uk, plus £500 for labour. Meanwhile, block paving will set you back £85/m2 and £100–200 to have it laid.

Prices will vary depending on the ease of the project. For example, if the ground the patio or block paving is to be laid on is sloped, excavation work will need to be carried out first, making the project more expensive.

Outdoor furniture

Old plastic garden furniture doesn’t make the best impression when you invite guests over, and it’s not very comfortable either.

If you’re going for the full garden makeover, leave room in your budget for a few quality pieces of outdoor furniture so you can sit back and enjoy your new space in style.

Garden furniture prices rose in 2022 due to increased shipping rates and the cost of raw materials. A decent garden furniture set, including table and chairs, can be picked up for as little as £250, but if you’re feeling flash, you can easily go up to £3,000 or more.

Special features

To make your garden stand out from your neighbours’, you’re going to want to include a few special features that make it truly unique.

Prices for these final touches vary wildly. A simple water feature like a pond might cost £900, says Checkatrade, or you could really push the boat out and include an intricate water fountain (£30-222+). And for a bit of winter warmth, make room for a modern fire pit (£50-450 for a metal pit, £300-2,000 for granite, ceramic or copper).

To save money, you could try to build something yourself like a swinging bench or simple table. Bonus points if you repurpose materials for an eco-friendly garden project.

MORE: 12 summer DIY projects to improve your home

Garden storage

After spending so much time and money on your garden renovation, anything short of an immaculately tidy area just won’t do.

Shed prices vary depending on whether they’re wood or metal, but Checkatrade says a simple garden shed with a slab base should cost £700, including installation, or more like £1,100 for something a bit bigger.

Of course, you could go big and custom build something larger with space for a garden office, gym, studio or man cave, in which case you could be looking at closer to £20,000, according to Home How.

Garden makeover waste management

Hiring a skip is the most convenient method for getting rid of garden waste during a makeover. You’ll be surprised by the amount of mixed waste a project like this generates, so having a container you can throw everything in will make the renovation go a lot more smoothly.

SunSkips drivers drop skips off as close to where you want it as possible, and you can request a drop-down door for easy access with a wheelbarrow.

Garden skip hire is used by professional landscapers in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire not only to simplify disposal, but also to streamline the documentation involved in managing it yourself.

MORE: SunSkips is a real gem for simplifying paperwork, says Emerald Landscapes

How much value does a garden makeover add to your home?

The AA insurance company estimates that you could add just over 5% to the value of your property in the UK with a garden makeover.

For a home worth £209,525 you’ll be adding £11,030 to the asking price if you decide to sell.

If you take Checkatrade’s average garden renovation cost of between £5,000-10,000, a makeover for your outdoor space could actually make you money.

SunSkips supplies skips to several top landscape companies in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Take care of your garden waste the hassle-free way and book your skip with SunSkips online.