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.
Every house in Eltham is a little different, so we never price garden landscaping from a brochure. We look at the structure, access and existing finishes first, then put in writing a fixed figure for the scope we settle on. As a rough steer, homeowners in London should budget £7,800–£19,500 including VAT, with work typically taking 1–4 weeks on site, depending on scope.
- Guide price
- £7,800–£19,500 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–4 weeks on site, depending on scope
- Postcodes
- SE2, SE9, SE18 and SE28
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Greater London
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does garden landscaping cost in Eltham?
No two jobs cost exactly the same, but the ranges below give a fair picture of garden landscaping in Eltham. Pricing for London runs about 30% above the national guide, and the overall guide is £7,800–£19,500 with VAT included. We'll confirm your figure after surveying the property for free.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Eltham |
|---|---|---|
| Garden refresh | Clearance, new turf, edging, bark or gravel and some planting. | £1,950–£6,500 |
| Typical garden makeover | A new patio, lawn, borders, paths and planting in a typical rear garden. | £7,800–£19,500 |
| Full redesign | Levels, retaining walls, large patios, lighting and drainage for larger or sloping gardens. | £19,500–£45,500 |
What moves the price up or down:
- 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’s included?
- Survey of size, levels, soil, drainage and access
- 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
- Turf or artificial grass laid on a prepared base
- Planting, bark or gravel finishing and outdoor lighting where included
What are homes like around Eltham?
London's housing is dominated by Victorian and Edwardian terraces, often in yellow London stock brick, with Georgian terraces in central districts and mansion blocks across many inner areas. Outer boroughs have large belts of interwar semis, and there are extensive post-war council estates. Many houses have been split into flats, and conservation areas are widespread.
London Clay shrinks and swells with the seasons, and street trees close to houses can contribute to movement, which affects foundation design.
So when we survey a Eltham property for garden landscaping, the first step is working out how it was built and what has been changed since.
Planning and building rules in Eltham
For anyone in Eltham, the relevant framework is England's. The summary below is general, so we always contact the council about your address before putting a price in writing.
Most garden landscaping in England needs no planning permission. Trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order, or trees in a conservation area, need the council’s consent or notice before work; outbuildings and raised platforms have their own limits.
Building Regulations rarely apply to landscaping, though new drainage and garden electrics must comply.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
The four stages
Free site survey
A free survey comes first. It gives us what we need to price garden landscaping properly, including dimensions, existing materials and access for deliveries, and gives you the chance to ask anything you like.
Price and scope agreed
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
Preparation matters as much as the build. We agree access, parking and working hours with you, order materials in good time, and confirm any permissions so the job isn't held up once it starts.
Finish and handover
The work is carried out to the agreed specification, with floors and furniture protected and the site kept tidy. At the end we clean up, walk through the finished job with you and hand over any certificates.
How we work
Questions about garden landscaping in Eltham
What time of year suits garden landscaping?
Hard landscaping such as patios, paths and walls can be built most of the year, though frost and heavy rain cause delays. Planting is usually most successful in autumn and spring, when plants can establish roots before summer. Turf can be laid in most months if the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. We plan the order of work around the season.
How much does garden landscaping cost?
Landscaping a typical 50–60m² rear garden with a patio, lawn, borders and planting costs £7,800–£19,500. 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.
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 Eltham 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.
Do I need planning permission for landscaping?
Most garden landscaping does not need planning permission, but it depends on the work, your home's location, whether it is listed or in a conservation area, and which UK nation you are in. Raised decking or patios, high walls and front garden paving can need permission, as can work affecting protected trees. We check the rules for your garden before quoting.
How much will garden landscaping cost in Eltham?
As a guide, expect to pay £7,800–£19,500 including VAT for garden landscaping in Eltham. That range is adjusted for London, which runs about 30% above 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.
Nearby towns
Live in Eltham? Our coverage takes in the SE2, SE9, SE18 and SE28 postcode areas and reaches out to Blackheath, Welling and Catford, so homes on the outskirts and in the next town along are included.