Landscaping cost

mardatha

I know it depends on a lot of factors - but does anybody have an idea of how much a landscape gardener would charge and what they do? Do they make paths and steps etc and lay paving slabs or just suggest where and what to plant? I know they would give estimates but need a very approx idea of costs in case I get a shock
I might expect a bill of £500 and he might want £2000 :eek:

Del_Astra

Yes they will generally do paving working or have a team that will do whilst they concern themselves with other areas. Only way to go is to get some quotes, do you have some local firms in mind? I'd get quotes for what you want from at least 3. When they come it gives you a chance to sound them out as well, a decent one will bring a portfolio of examples but ask for references, you might even have seen some of the stuff if local.

It all depends on the job, and access, moving a few tons of top soil or hard core from access road to place it is used can soon mount up depending on access, say they need to wheel it from the front of a property to the back for example. Paving work, what is currently down? if its grass they will probably suggest hardcore base going down first, is it a fancy pattern you are after, this is likely to take more time and push cost up. If its just lifting old tired slabs and replacing then the base should be fine already. Will you need to hire a skip are you getting rid of stone chips? As they can probably re-use these either as part of your base or on another job.

mardatha

Ah then that might be an issue - thank you for this. I'm in a mid -terrace and access is at the end. I think the only way is to ask for estimates eh. Thanks.

Del_Astra

I was just giving examples of the sort of thing that can push costs up. Obvioulsy you wouldn't want them coming through the house. This could add half days work, just to move the material to where they need it. Could a Lorry with a crane get access to the rear? When you get quotes they should advise, they'll be used to shifting the materials, but obviously it adds time to the job, which of course increase the cost, hence hard to give a cost on a forum.

I see you are in Scotland, I am too central belt, The builders supply company (google them) managed to lift straight off the lorry to where I needed it. Your local guys will be able to advise on suppliers and if they can do this. It did mean a bit of a wait on the delivery but the effort required to shift it, meant it was well worth the wait.

mardatha

Is a field at back. It would be either through the house or round the end house, with steps and corners- the coalman has to do it and hates it. I will just get some estimates I think - that way they will see the layout. Many thanks Will probly save harder then call them lol !

Del_Astra

If its a field at the back they might be able to get access that way. If its a Farmers field they might allow it, 4x4 with a trailer might be much quicker and use less labour. Yeah let them see it, they will know the best way.

yoyoegg

Some will take on 'hard landscaping' work and come up with a planting scheme, although the later is easy enough to do with 'right plant, right place' tool at crocus.co.uk.

If they can get a mini-digger in via a 1m alley that will be speedier than manual digging, but barrowing out the spoil will be costly in time.

I'd been budgeting on £50 sq/m fitted for decking. For other work, a labourer up to £100/day and a brickie up to £150/day.

mardatha

God it's not going to be cheap that's for sure. That farmer's a pain in the a$$, he wouldn't let us and I know better than to ask.
You've given me a lot of help thank, I will think on it now. Won't be happening anytime very soon, as we have heavy snow today. At least the back garden looks nicer under snow! lol

grannyjo

do you really need a lot of earth moved. Somtimes it could be used in a raised bed. We put weedproof fabric down and then gravel on a lot of areas. Look at some garden design books in your library.They are really good. Moving earth is expensive. Large plants are expensive. You can get an instant magical effect with an expensive designer. { Our friends spent £7000 on paths, patios, plants pebbles etc.) but you can do it more slowly and cheaply. Paths/ patios are probably the most expensive parts. Paths can be paving stones cut into the lawn and can be mowed over. If you get an expensive path it means digging out, bases put in - eg concrete or sand and then the paving. We dug out a bit, then weedproof fabric pinned down (or it comes up) gravel and paving slabs set in the gravel. It was a DIY and quite easy and just the costs of the materials. Make a sketch of your plot and measure what size patio you want if you do want one. Its worth getting that done well, Good Luck

mardatha

No earth to be moved really, it's just the laying of slabs. We aren't fit or able enough to do anything ourselves. The earth can be moved by wheelbarrow to another bed. If I could get somebody to do the patio/slab bit then that would be all I needed help with. ty

grannyjo

if you have an idea of what you want- ie how big and where, ask around for recommendations for people to do paving/ patios. Look round a builders merchant ( or Band Q etc)and pick up some brochures on paving stones. Look at the prices and choose the type you like/ can afford. Look in the paper if you can't get a recommendation and then ask them approximate cost of laying a patio of eg 4 x 4 metres and path eg 20 metres. Once you have a feel for prices get a couple round to give firm quotes. If anyone around has a gardener, they often do that sort of thing too - or know people that can. I paid £900 labour for a patio about 4m x 4m and paths around 15metres which I think was quite cheap.( The paving was about £1000.) They dug out a bit and put a concrete base down. Before that we had paving slabs laid on sand. Last year I had a quote of £60 labour to lay 3mx 4m paving slabs on sand as a base for a shed.It took 2 people about 2 and a half hours. It meant minimum levelling of soil. When we had blocks laid on sand, you tend to get weeds coming through round the cracks but weedkiller can deal with that. We used scaffolding planks that were no longer good enough for scaffolding £3 each on ebay , to make raised beds.(painted green) I find it useful to ask people how long the job will take and how many people. eg 2 people for a morning. it gives me more of an idea of if they are trying to rip me off. Friends had their bushes trimmed back and were shocked when the cost of £200 involved 45 minutes work for 2 people with no branches taken away. Some people are good honest workeres, but some are not. good luck