Garden landscaping is designing and building an outdoor space as a whole, combining hard landscaping such as patios, paths, walls and steps with soft landscaping such as lawns, planting and beds, plus drainage and lighting, so the garden works for how you live.
Whether you live in one of the larger towns, such as Aberdeen, Peterhead, Nigg and Inverurie, or somewhere quieter in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, the way we handle garden landscaping is identical. We survey, agree the specification with you, and confirm a fixed price on paper. Everything is planned under the regulations in force in Scotland, and guide costs in Scotland sit at £5,800–£14,500 with VAT.
- Guide price
- £5,800–£14,500 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–4 weeks on site, depending on scope
- Planning rules
- Scotland
- Price level
- About 4% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 4
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Garden landscaping prices in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
Budgeting for garden landscaping in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire? The numbers below include VAT and are adjusted for Scotland, where costs are about 4% below the national guide. The headline range is £5,800–£14,500. Nothing is final until we have measured up at a free survey and agreed the specification with you.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire |
|---|---|---|
| Garden refresh | Clearance, new turf, edging, bark or gravel and some planting. | £1,450–£4,800 |
| Typical garden makeover | A new patio, lawn, borders, paths and planting in a typical rear garden. | £5,800–£14,500 |
| Full redesign | Levels, retaining walls, large patios, lighting and drainage for larger or sloping gardens. | £14,500–£33,500 |
Your price depends mostly on:
- Garden size, access and the amount of clearance needed
- Ratio of hard landscaping to lawn and planting
- Drainage, soil quality and ground conditions
- Materials chosen for paving, walls and features
What do you get?
- Survey of size, levels, soil, drainage and access
- Layout plan agreed with you before work starts
- Site clearance and removal of old features and waste
- Patios, paths, steps and edging laid on proper bases
- Raised beds, low walls or sleepers built to the agreed design
- Planting, bark or gravel finishing and outdoor lighting where included
Housing across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
Aberdeen is built largely of grey granite, from tenements and terraces to granite villas in the West End, with post-war council housing and newer estates on the outskirts. Across Aberdeenshire, harled stone cottages, fishing-town terraces in Peterhead and Fraserburgh, and modern developments in commuter towns such as Westhill and Ellon are common.
Granite walls need repointing with a mortar matched to the stone, and slate roofs often want attention after hard winters. Harled cottages need breathable finishes, while newer estates commonly add extensions, garage conversions and driveways.
Cold North Sea winds, coastal haar and hard winter frosts are routine, so roofs, harling and exposed fixings need a robust specification.
Planning and building rules in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire is in Scotland, so the planning and building rules set out below are the ones that apply. We confirm the details with the council before we quote.
Most garden landscaping in Scotland needs no planning permission; protected trees and trees in conservation areas need the council’s consent or notice.
A building warrant is rarely needed for landscaping.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
How does the job run?
We look at the job
We arrange a free site survey on a date convenient to you. We measure up, look at the existing structure and access, and discuss your plans for garden landscaping so the price reflects your home.
Written quote
Next you receive a written quote with a fixed price for the agreed specification. It lists what is included, what is not, and how payments are staged, so you can compare it properly.
Getting ready
Next comes planning the work itself. We set a start date that suits you, line up the right trades, and make sure any approvals for garden landscaping are in place before the first day on site.
On site to finish
During the work we protect the areas around it and tidy up at the end of each day. Once complete, we check the finish, remove our materials and hand over paperwork such as building control sign-off where it applies.
What you can expect from us
Questions about garden landscaping in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
Can you combine garden landscaping with other work?
Yes. Because we manage several trades under one contract, we can plan garden landscaping alongside other work on your Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire home, such as new windows with rendering, or a kitchen refit with an extension. Combining jobs can reduce repeat set-up such as scaffolding, skips and access, and every element is listed and priced in the same written quote.
How much does garden landscaping cost?
Landscaping a typical 50–60m² rear garden with a patio, lawn, borders and planting costs £5,800–£14,500. As a guide, allow roughly £90–£220 per square metre of garden plus fixed costs for clearance and set-up, with gardens that are mostly lawn and planting at the lower end and those with large patios, walls and lighting at the top. Slopes and poor access add cost. We confirm a fixed price after the survey.
How long does a garden makeover take?
A typical garden makeover takes around one to four weeks on site, depending on size and scope. Clearance and groundworks come first, then drainage, patios, paths and walls, followed by turf and planting. Larger or sloping gardens with retaining walls take longer. Weather can affect timings, especially for groundworks and laying turf. We give you a programme with your quote.
How much will garden landscaping cost in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire?
As a guide, expect to pay £5,800–£14,500 including VAT for garden landscaping in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. That range is adjusted for Scotland, which runs about 4% below the national guide. Where your project lands depends on size, materials, access and the condition of what is already there. We confirm a fixed price in writing after a free survey of your home.
Do I need a garden designer?
You do not always need a separate garden designer. For many gardens, a clear layout plan agreed at the survey is enough to build from, covering patio size, paths, lawn and beds. Larger, sloping or complex gardens benefit from more detailed design, including levels and planting plans. We can work from an existing design or put together a practical layout with you.
Towns in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
Looking for garden landscaping somewhere in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire? Start with the towns below; each links to a page with pricing for your region and coverage details.