If you've ever tried to get a straight answer on gardening prices in London, you'll know how frustrating it is. Vague hourly ranges, "it depends" responses, and quotes that only materialise after a site visit. This post cuts through that. We've been operating across South East London since 2016 and we're giving you our real 2026 prices - service by service - so you know exactly what to budget before you pick up the phone.
Whether you need a one-off garden clearance in Lewisham, regular lawn mowing in Greenwich, new turf in Eltham, or a full garden transformation in Bromley, this guide covers it all.
Want to skip straight to a quote? Contact us here or call 07760800457 (Mon-Sat 9am-6pm) - we reply within 24 hours.
Why Trust These Prices?
Before getting into the numbers, here's why this guide is worth reading over generic "average cost" articles you'll find elsewhere.
Urban Gardeners has been operating across South East London since 2016, based in Eltham SE9. In that time we've completed thousands of jobs - from quick lawn mows in Blackheath to full garden transformations in Sidcup. The prices in this guide are our actual 2026 rates - not market averages, not estimates based on national data.
- 12+ years of hands-on experience across South East London's specific mix of Victorian terraces, modern flats, and larger family gardens
- 111 verified Google reviews at 4.5+ rating (Trustindex verified)
- Gardening and Landscape Design Business Diploma and Certificate - two formal credentials
- Fully insured for all residential and commercial work
- Transparent pricing - no hidden costs, all extras confirmed before the visit
- Mon-Sat availability - 9am-6pm, six days a week
Read more about who we are and how we work, or browse our completed project portfolio to see real South East London gardens we've transformed.
Quick Price Reference: South East London Gardening Costs 2026
For those who want the numbers fast, here's the full overview. Detailed breakdowns with real job examples follow further down.
Service | Price |
|---|---|
£80 first hour, £60 each subsequent hour | |
£85/hour (2-person team, tools included) | |
£80 first hour, £60 each subsequent hour | |
£4/m2 (minimum £140) | |
£15-£28/sqm | |
£60-£90/sqm | |
£260 per panel | |
£230-£280 per panel | |
£960-£4,800+ depending on size | |
£1,290-£6,450+ depending on size | |
£1,200-£18,000 depending on scope |
See our full pricing page for the complete breakdown with all size variants and options.
What Affects the Cost of Hiring a Gardener in South East London?
Before getting into individual service prices, it's worth understanding what drives costs up or down. These factors apply across every service we offer.
Garden size and condition
This is the biggest variable. A small, reasonably maintained garden in Blackheath takes a fraction of the time of a large, overgrown plot in Catford. For hourly services, the final cost is almost entirely determined by how long the job takes.
Access
South East London has a huge variety of property types - Victorian terraces with no side access, modern flats with shared communal gardens, houses where all equipment has to come through the hallway. Restricted access adds time to every job, which adds cost. Our team arrives in a transit van and needs parking nearby - if there are parking charges or congestion zones, these are always confirmed with you before the visit and added to the invoice.
One-off vs regular
One-off visits cost the same hourly rate as regular bookings, but a garden that's been maintained regularly takes significantly less time at each visit. A garden that hasn't been touched for a year will always take longer to bring back to standard - and cost more.
Materials
For services like turfing, fencing, decking, and landscaping, materials are a major part of the total cost. The type and quality you choose - natural vs artificial turf, softwood vs hardwood decking, panel vs closeboard fencing - makes a significant difference to the final price.
South East London labour rates
London rates run 20-25% above the UK national average across most trades. That applies to gardening and landscaping too. The prices in this guide reflect genuine South East London market rates - not national averages that don't apply here.
Time of year
Spring and summer are peak season across South East London. From March through August, our schedule fills up quickly - particularly for turfing, landscaping, and decking projects. If you're planning a bigger job for spring, getting in touch in January or February gives you more flexibility on start dates and better chance of locking in your preferred slot. Autumn and winter are quieter for most services - not a bad time to book if your job can wait.
Price: £80 for the first hour, £60 for every subsequent hour. No minimum charge.
Garden maintenance covers everything needed to keep an outdoor space tidy, healthy, and under control. Our team of two arrives fully equipped - no need to provide anything.
What's included:
- Lawn mowing and edging
- Weed removal and control
- Hedge trimming and reshaping
- Bush and shrub pruning
- Ivy trimming and management
- Flower bed maintenance
- Tree pruning up to 3-4 metres
- Garden edging
- Green waste collection and disposal
Garden maintenance project with Urban Gardeners.
Typical visit costs for South East London gardens:
A small, well-maintained terraced garden in areas like Deptford or Brockley typically takes 2-3 hours for a full tidy - around £140-£200.
A medium garden needing a more thorough session runs 3-5 hours - around £200-£320.
A larger garden or one that hasn't been maintained recently will need 5+ hours - £320 upwards.
Real example: We had a new client in Lewisham contact us after moving into a property where the previous owners had let the garden slide for about 18 months. Overgrown hedges, weeds through every border, and a lawn that was more moss than grass. The first visit took 6 hours for two people - £380 total including waste disposal. After that initial reset, their regular fortnightly visits now take 2 hours - £140 each time. The first visit is almost always the most expensive one.
First-time visits: We recommend booking at least 2 hours for a first visit so the team has enough time to bring the garden to a proper standard. Ongoing visits after that are bookable from 1 hour.
Book a garden maintenance visit - send us photos and we'll give you an honest time estimate within 24 hours.
Price: £85/hour for a 2-person team. Tools included. Waste removal quoted separately.
Garden clearance is for gardens that need more than maintenance - overgrown plots, neglected spaces, end-of-tenancy clearances, or preparation for landscaping work.
What's included:
- Hedge trimming and reshaping
- Weed removal and overgrowth control
- Tree cutting and stump removal
- Ivy and invasive plant removal
- Full green waste collection and disposal
- Pre-landscaping clearance preparation
Garden clearance project with Urban Gardeners.
Typical clearance costs:
A small overgrown garden needing a thorough one-off clear: 3-4 hours - around £255-£340.
A medium garden with heavy overgrowth, brambles, or ivy: 5-8 hours - around £425-£680.
A large neglected garden requiring multiple visits: £700+, quoted after photos or site visit.
Waste disposal is quoted separately depending on volume and confirmed before the visit so there are no surprises on the day.
Real example: We were called out to a terraced house in Catford where the garden hadn't been touched in nearly three years. The previous tenant had left it completely to its own devices - brambles had taken over the back fence, ivy was climbing the rear wall of the house, and a buddleia had self-seeded and grown to about 3 metres against the side boundary. The job took 9 hours across two visits, plus a separate waste collection run. Total cost came to £765 for labour and £180 for waste disposal - £945 in total. Not a small number, but the garden was genuinely unrecognisable by the end. The owner then commissioned us for a turfing project to finish it off. If we'd been maintaining it regularly, none of that would have been necessary.
After clearance, many clients move straight into a landscaping or turfing project. See our garden landscaping service and turfing service for what's possible once the space is cleared.
Get a clearance quote - send photos and we'll reply within 24 hours.
Price: £80 first hour, £60 every subsequent hour.
Our lawn care and mowing service covers everything from a simple weekly cut to a full lawn health programme.
What's included in standard visits:
- Lawn mowing (residential and commercial)
- Lawn edging and border trimming
- Regular weekly or fortnightly visits
- One-off lawn tidy-ups
- Strimming around borders
- Grass clippings collected
- Lawn health check
Lawn mowing project with Urban Gardeners.
Lawn treatment pricing (quoted separately after free on-site survey): Aeration, fertilising, moss treatment, and overseeding are assessed and quoted after a free on-site survey. These typically start from £60-£80 depending on lawn size and condition.
Typical lawn care costs:
A small-medium South East London lawn maintained regularly: 1-1.5 hours per visit - £80-£110.
A larger lawn or one needing more work: 2-3 hours - £140-£200.
If your lawn has been damaged by waterlogging, compaction, or wear, our guide on dealing with poor drainage in South East London gardens is worth reading first - fixing the underlying problem before treating the lawn makes a significant difference to long-term results.
Get a lawn care quote - we cover all South East London postcodes including Woolwich, Lee, Charlton, and Sidcup.
Want an accurate gardener quote for your garden?
Prices vary based on garden size, access, and the type of work needed. We can give you a clear quote for regular maintenance, a one-off clearance, or a landscaping project in South East London.
Explore our services: Garden Maintenance, Garden Clearance, or Garden Landscaping and Design.
Price: £4/m2. Minimum charge £140 (covering up to 40m2).
Our patio and driveway cleaning service is one of the most booked seasonal services we offer - and one of the most satisfying in terms of visible results. Commercial-grade pressure washing, no harsh chemicals, safe for pets, plants, and all surface types.
Most clients book this in spring after a wet South East London winter has left their patio covered in algae, black spot, and green slime - the same moisture that causes drainage problems creates ideal conditions for algae growth on any surface that stays damp. Cleaning without fixing drainage first just means it comes back faster, so if your patio has a persistent algae problem it's worth checking whether water is draining off it correctly. Our related guide on poor drainage in South East London explains what to look for.
Surfaces covered:
- Patios and paved areas
- Block paving and concrete driveways
- Timber and composite decking
- Garden pathways and steps
- Brick walls and exterior masonry
- Garden furniture and balconies
Typical patio cleaning costs:
Small patio up to 40m2: minimum £140.
Medium patio 40-70m2: £160-£280.
Large patio or driveway 70-100m2: £280-£400.
Patio cleaning project with Urban Gardeners.
Real example: We cleaned a large natural stone patio and block paving driveway for a client in Greenwich - total area around 85m2. The patio hadn't been cleaned in four years and had heavy black spot and moss between the joints. Total cost came to £340. The client said it looked better than when it was first laid. Natural stone in particular responds dramatically to a proper pressure wash - it's one of those jobs where the before and after is genuinely striking.
Book a patio clean - we can often give a price from photos without a site visit.
Natural turf: £15-£28/sqm. Artificial grass: £60-£90/sqm. Free on-site survey required before final quote.
Our turfing service includes everything - old lawn removal if needed, ground preparation, levelling, topsoil, and laying. For a full cost breakdown with size examples, read our dedicated South East London turfing cost guide.
Natural turf price ranges:
- Small lawn up to 30m2: £450-£840
- Medium lawn 30-60m2: £675-£1,680
- Large lawn 60m2+: £900-£2,240+
Artificial grass price ranges (includes excavation, sub-base, membrane, grass, and labour):
- Small up to 30m2: £1,800-£2,700
- Medium 30-60m2: £2,000-£5,400
- Large 60m2+: £3,600-£5,400+
Turfing project with Urban Gardeners.
Natural vs artificial: Not sure which is right for your garden? Read our honest comparison: natural vs artificial grass for South East London gardens.
Turfing is heavily seasonal - the best results come from jobs completed between March and October. If you're thinking about new turf for spring, getting in touch in February means you're more likely to get your preferred start date.
Get a free turfing survey - written quote provided within 3 business days after visit.
Free on-site survey required. All prices include materials, labour, post installation, and concrete setting.
Our garden fencing service covers new installations, replacements, and storm damage repairs across all South East London postcodes.
Pricing by fence type:
- Closeboard / feather edge fencing: £260 per panel
- Panel fencing: £230-£280 per panel
- Fence post replacement: £250 per post
- Storm damage / panel repair: £150-£300 per section
- Custom fencing solutions: quoted after survey
Waste disposal for old fence removal is quoted separately - typically £30-£220 depending on volume.
Fencing project with Urban Gardeners.
If a storm has taken out panels and you need advice on what to do first, read our guide on replacing a blown-down fence in South East London.
Get a free fencing survey - written quote within 3 business days.
Free on-site survey required. Prices include materials, labour, subframe, and basic groundwork.
Our decking installation service covers ground-level, raised, and terraced decking. South East London rates run 20-25% above the UK national average - the prices below reflect this.
Softwood decking (most popular, lasts 5-15 years with maintenance):
- Small up to 12m2: £960-£1,920
- Medium 15-25m2: £2,000-£4,000
- Large 30m2+: from £4,800
Hardwood decking (denser, more durable, lasts up to 20 years):
- Small up to 12m2: £1,290-£2,580
- Medium 15-25m2: £2,690-£5,375
- Large 30m2+: from £6,450
Composite decking (near-zero maintenance, highest upfront cost):
- Small up to 12m2: £1,290-£2,580
- Medium 15-25m2: £2,690-£5,375
- Large 30m2+: from £6,450
Decking project with Urban Gardeners.
For a full breakdown of materials and what affects the final price, read our South East London decking cost guide 2026.
Decking is one of our most popular summer projects - if you want it ready for summer entertaining, book your survey in late winter or early spring.
Book a free decking survey - written quote within 3 business days.
Free on-site survey required. Written quote within 3 business days.
Our garden landscaping and design service covers everything from a simple garden refresh to a complete outdoor transformation.
Project scale estimates:
- Small garden refresh (replanting, gravel, border restructure): £1,200-£3,500
- Mid-size redesign with new patio and planted borders: £3,500-£8,000
- Full garden transformation (patio, turf, fencing, planting): £4,000-£18,000
All prices include labour and materials. Final pricing depends on garden size, ground conditions, material choices, access, and design complexity.
Landscaping project with Urban Gardeners.
What we design and build:
- Patio laying - choice of slabs, colours, layout
- Lawn laying and turfing
- Decking - ground level and raised
- Garden fencing - standard or custom
- Paving - driveways and paths
- Garden levelling and regrading
- Raised beds and planting borders
Real example: A client in Woolwich came to us with a garden that was essentially a blank concrete slab at the back and overgrown borders on three sides. They wanted a usable outdoor space - somewhere to sit in summer and let the kids play. We cleared the borders, broke up and removed the concrete, installed a new patio in porcelain slabs along the back of the house, laid fresh turf across the main garden area, and put up new closeboard fencing on two sides. The total project came to £8,400 including materials and labour. It took six working days across two weeks. The difference was complete - from a grey, unusable space to a proper garden. Browse our project portfolio to see more before and after results.
Book a free landscaping survey - no obligation, written quote within 3 business days.
Specialist Services (Price on Request)
Some jobs fall outside standard pricing and need individual assessment:
- Ivy removal - pricing depends on coverage and how established the root system is
- Stump grinding - depends on stump diameter and access
- Bamboo removal - one of the most labour-intensive garden jobs, always needs a site visit
- Tree root removal and treatment - depends on root extent and species
Contact us with photos and a description for any of these - we'll advise honestly on whether we can quote remotely or need to see it first.
DIY vs Hiring a Gardener: When Does It Make Financial Sense?
A fair question. Here's an honest answer.
DIY makes sense for:
- Weekly lawn mowing on a small, accessible lawn
- Basic weeding of manageable borders
- Sweeping leaves and general tidying
- Watering and seasonal planting
Hiring a professional makes sense for:
- Anything involving hedges over head height
- Overgrown gardens that need proper clearance equipment
- Ivy or invasive plant removal - these spread aggressively if not fully removed
- Anything requiring machinery (scarifiers, aerators, stump grinders)
- Turfing, landscaping, and any structural work
- Time-sensitive jobs before a tenancy inspection or property sale
The real calculation isn't just time vs money. A poorly executed hedge cut, badly laid turf, or incorrectly mixed soil can cost more to fix than the original job would have cost to do properly. We see this regularly - particularly with turf laid on unlevelled ground, and with ivy that's been cut back rather than removed and returns thicker than before.
Contact our team if you're not sure which category your job falls into - we'll give you a straight answer.
How to Get an Accurate Quote From Urban Gardeners
Our process is straightforward and designed to give you a real price quickly.
For hourly services (maintenance, clearance, lawn care, patio cleaning): Send photos via our contact form with a brief description. We typically reply within 24 hours with an honest time estimate and total cost range. No site visit needed for most standard jobs.
For project-based services (turfing, landscaping, fencing, decking): These require a free on-site survey so we can measure accurately and discuss your vision. Survey is always free. Written quote follows within 3 business days.
What to include in your enquiry:
- Your postcode
- Photos of the garden or area
- Brief description of what you need
- Any access considerations (tight gate, no side access, parking restrictions)
We cover all South East London postcodes - see our full areas page for the complete list including Abbey Wood, Camberwell, Eltham, Greenwich, Lewisham, Woolwich, and all surrounding Bromley, Bexley, and Dartford postcodes.
Get your free quote now - call 07760800457 (Mon-Sat 9am-6pm) or use the contact form. We reply within 24 hours.
Gardening Services Cost in South East London FAQ
Not necessarily. As long as we have access to the garden and clear instructions, the team can complete most jobs while you're away. We confirm all details before the visit and send a summary after.
For hourly services, we can often schedule within a few days depending on demand. For project-based work requiring a survey, allow a week to two weeks from initial contact to project start. Spring and summer book up faster - the earlier you enquire, the better. Contact us to check current availability.
Never. Photo-based quotes for hourly services are free and provided within 24 hours. On-site surveys for landscaping, turfing, fencing, and decking are always free with no obligation.
Yes, fully insured for all residential and commercial gardening and landscaping work across South East London.
We cover all South East London SE postcodes plus Bromley, Bexley, and Dartford areas. Check our full areas page or contact us with your postcode to confirm.
Labour costs, fuel, vehicle costs, insurance, and equipment maintenance all run higher in London than elsewhere in the UK. South East London specifically sits 20-25% above the national average for most trade services. The prices in this guide are what you should realistically expect to pay for professional, insured work in this area - not what you'd pay in the Midlands or the North.
Ready to Get a Price?
Urban Gardeners has been one of South East London's most trusted local gardening teams since 2016. Whether you need a quick tidy-up in Catford or a full garden transformation in Greenwich, we'll give you an honest price and a reliable service backed by 111 verified reviews and 12+ years of local experience.
Call us on 07760800457 (Mon-Sat 9am-6pm), or submit your enquiry online here. We reply within 24 hours.
I have a garden that's overgrown with I want cleared completely of all the grass and some thin planted trees. I also have 2 sheds to vreak down amd get rid of. I would like it replaced with fake grass and some paving. Would it be possible to get a quote in happy for a visit if u need to see it.
Hey, Mimi. Of course, we can help you with the garden clearance, artificial grass installation and paving. Please email us your details at office@urbangardeners.com, and our schedule manager, Plami will organise a survey to quote.