Things to know
Quote maintenance work per visit, not per season. Customers can pause a per-visit arrangement over winter without renegotiating the whole contract. Show the per-visit cost with the agreed frequency underneath, such as "fortnightly, April–October." It's easier to say yes to than a single large seasonal total that looks like a bigger commitment than it is.
Green waste removal is worth its own line because customers are genuinely split on it. Some want everything taken away. Others compost at home and would rather you left it. Making the line visible and removable, instead of baking it into your per-visit rate, avoids a customer feeling like they're paying for a service they don't actually want.
Split hedge trimming, mowing, and weeding into separate lines even within a single maintenance visit. Gardens vary enormously in what they actually need each visit. A customer who sees "hedge trim" priced separately understands immediately why a visit with hedge work costs more than the fortnightly mow-and-weed baseline. They won't wonder if you've simply raised your rate.
A short pause clause for holidays or bad weather is worth including even on a maintenance contract. State whether visits missed for reasons outside your control are rescheduled or refunded. That avoids an awkward conversation the first time a fortnightly visit gets rained off and the customer isn't sure whether they're still being charged for it.
Typical gardener line items and UK prices
Indicative ranges, excluding VAT. Rates vary by region (London and the South East run higher) and by job size.
| Item | Unit | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate (maintenance) | per hour | £20–£35 |
| Fortnightly maintenance visit (2 hrs) | per visit | £45–£80 |
| Lawn mowing (average rear lawn) | per cut | £25–£45 |
| Hedge trimming (per 10m, up to 2m high) | per 10m | £50–£120 |
| Garden clearance (overgrown) | per day | £200–£400 |
| Green waste removal | per load | £40–£90 |
| Lawn treatment (feed + weed) | per application | £30–£70 |
Common gardener jobs and how to price them
- Regular maintenance
- Fixed price per visit on a weekly or fortnightly schedule, with a seasonal task list.
- One-off clearances
- Day rate plus waste loads, quoted after a site visit.
- Hedge trimming
- Per length and height, with access and waste stated.
- Lawn care programmes
- Per application, four to five times a year.
Regulations and certificates to reference
- Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012 — anyone applying professional weedkillers or pesticides for payment needs a certificate of competence (such as PA1 plus PA6 for hand-held application). Say on the quote if chemical treatments are included.
- Waste carrier registration — taking garden waste away in your own vehicle needs registration as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales or SEPA.
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 — hedge cutting during the bird nesting season (roughly March to August) risks disturbing active nests, which is an offence. Check before cutting and note it on spring quotes.
Payment terms gardeners commonly use
- Regular clients: monthly invoice for the visits made, payable within 7–14 days.
- One-off clearances: payment on completion.
- State whether visits missed due to weather are rescheduled or skipped.
Read more: Invoice payment terms explained · Payment methods to offer clients
VAT and CIS for gardeners
VAT
Most self-employed gardeners trade below the £90,000 VAT threshold. Once registered, garden maintenance is standard-rated at 20%.
Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
Routine garden maintenance for homeowners is outside CIS.
General guidance, not tax advice — check your position with HMRC or an accountant.
Read more: Do I need to charge VAT on my invoices? · What must an invoice include? (UK legal requirements)
What this template includes
- Per-visit or per-hour rate
- Recurring maintenance schedule
- Mowing, hedge cutting, weeding split
- Green waste removal line
- Materials (compost, mulch, plants)
Frequently asked questions
For professional products, yes. Anyone applying them as part of their work needs a certificate of competence. Many gardeners also note on the quote that they use only amateur products, or none.
You can, but you must not damage or destroy an active bird’s nest. Check carefully during the nesting season, roughly March to August, and postpone if you find nests.
Per load, or included in a fixed visit price up to a set volume. Customers often assume removal is included, so say either way.
State it in your terms: rescheduled within the week, or skipped and not charged. Clear weather rules keep regular clients happy.
Per-visit pricing is more flexible — customers can pause for winter. Show the per-visit cost and total it for the agreed season at the bottom of the quote.
List green waste removal separately. Some customers will compost themselves and want this line removed — making it transparent saves a back-and-forth conversation.
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