How much does garden clearance cost? [May 2026]

How much does garden clearance cost?

In the UK, garden clearance costs between £80 - £300+ (inc VAT). The cost you'll pay will mostly depend on the amount of waste that needs removing. 

Garden clearance typically involves removing garden waste such as grass cuttings, leaves, branches, weeds, hedge trimmings and general debris. It can also include clearing overgrown gardens, even dismantling old sheds. The bigger and more overgrown a garden, the more labour is required to get the job done. 

What other factors affect the cost of garden clearance?

As well as the condition of your garden, a few other factors will determine the final price you'll pay for garden clearance, such as access, waste disposal costs, when you book and who you book with.

1. When you book

Your local gardener will typically be in higher demand during spring and summer. This reduced availability means that gardeners will usually charge more for their services. So if you're planning on clearing your garden ahead of summer, expect to pay a premium.

2. Access to your garden

Limited access can push prices up. If waste needs to be carried through a house, up stairs, or down narrow alleyways, it increases labour time. Clear, direct access makes the job a lot faster!

3. Waste disposal 
 

Most gardeners will charge roughly £5 - £10 per bag of garden waste to be disposed. But soil, rubble, treated wood, and bulky items (such as a shed, water features, and fencing) are more expensive to dispose of. These fees are usually passed on to the customer. 
 

4. Who you book with

Independent gardeners usually charge lower rates than larger companies. However, booking with a more established gardening service usually comes with many perks - such as wider availability (including same day slots), instant online booking forms and quotes, a responsive support team and cover gardeners on hand in case of sickness on the day.

What's included in a garden clearance service?
 

Garden clearance services usually involve removing unwanted plants, debris and waste to restore the garden to a clean, usable state. The exact tasks included will depend on the condition of the garden and what the homeowner wants to achieve.

In most cases, garden clearance includes cutting back overgrown plants, removing weeds, gathering fallen leaves and branches, and clearing unwanted items from the garden. Gardeners will typically bag up the waste and arrange for it to be removed or disposed of responsibly.

Some garden clearance jobs also include removing larger materials such as soil piles, broken planters, damaged furniture or leftover building materials. In more complex cases, the work may involve dismantling structures like sheds, pergolas or raised beds.
 

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Can I clear my garden myself?
 

Small garden clearance jobs can certainly be done without help from a gardener. Pulling weeds, trimming hedges and collecting leaves are manageable with basic gardening tools.

However, larger clearance projects can quickly become time-consuming and physically demanding. Dense vegetation, large shrubs and piles of waste require significant effort to remove safely.

Waste disposal is another challenge. Garden waste cannot always be disposed of through standard household bins, and transporting large volumes of debris to recycling centres can require multiple trips.

Professional gardeners and waste removal specialists have the equipment, vehicles and experience needed to complete the job efficiently. For large or heavily overgrown gardens, hiring a professional can save considerable time and effort.
 

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What are the regulations when it comes to garden waste removal?
 

Garden clearance itself does not usually require planning permission, but there are still some regulations to consider when disposing of waste.

Garden waste must be disposed of responsibly and legally. Professional waste removal companies must hold a waste carrier licence and follow regulations for transporting and disposing of materials.

Some local councils also restrict the burning of garden waste due to environmental and air quality concerns. In most cases, waste should be taken to recycling centres or processed through licensed waste services.

If your garden clearance involves removing large trees, there may also be local tree preservation rules to consider. Protected trees cannot be removed or heavily pruned without council approval.

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Where can I get a quote?

There are many ways to find a gardener in your area - from recommendations from family and friends to social media and your local garden centre. 

However, the easiest way to find a trusted gardener is through a professional gardening service - like Housekeep. Simply tell us about your garden, and we'll arrange for a highly rated gardener to clear your garden at a time and day that suit you. 

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