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Quick Answer
A full garden reset in the UK in 2026 costs between 2,000 and 15,000 pounds depending on the size of the garden and the level of work. A small courtyard reset costs 2,000 to 4,000. A family garden reset costs 4,000 to 8,000. A large garden or estate reset costs 8,000 to 15,000 or more.
Full garden reset budget ranges
Small courtyard (50 sqm): 2,000 to 4,000
Family garden (150 sqm): 4,000 to 8,000
Large garden (400 sqm): 8,000 to 15,000
Estate (1,000+ sqm): 15,000 to 35,000+
What Is a Full Garden Reset?
A full garden reset is a complete transformation. It includes:
- Clearance of all existing vegetation and structures
- Soil improvement across the whole garden
- Hard landscaping (paths, patios, edging) if needed
- New lawn (seed or turf)
- New planting schemes for all borders
- Mulching and finishing
It is not the same as a clearance, which just removes the old. A reset removes the old and puts in the new.
Budget Breakdown by Stage
Stage 1: Clearance (25 to 35 percent of budget)
Clearing the existing garden. See our clearance cost guide for detail. For a family garden, expect 800 to 2,500.
Stage 2: Soil improvement (10 to 15 percent of budget)
Digging in compost, manure, grit or sand to improve the soil. Cost: 3 to 8 per square metre including material. For a 150 sqm garden, 450 to 1,200.
Stage 3: Hard landscaping (20 to 35 percent of budget)
New paths, patios, edging, raised beds, fencing. This is the most variable cost. A new patio costs 80 to 150 per square metre installed. New fencing costs 50 to 120 per metre. See our fencing service for detail.
Stage 4: New lawn (10 to 15 percent of budget)
Seed or turf. Seeding costs 2 to 4 per square metre. Turf costs 10 to 25 per square metre installed. See our returf vs reseed guide.
Stage 5: Planting (15 to 25 percent of budget)
New plants for all borders. Cost depends on plant size and quantity. A typical family garden border (20 sqm) planted with a mix of shrubs and perennials costs 500 to 1,500 including plants, compost and planting. See our soft landscaping service.
Stage 6: Mulching and finishing (5 percent of budget)
Bark or compost mulch across all beds. Cost: 2 to 4 per square metre including material.
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Sample Budgets
Small courtyard reset (50 sqm)
- Clearance: 400 to 800
- Soil improvement: 150 to 400
- Hard landscaping (small patio): 800 to 2,000
- New lawn or planting: 300 to 600
- Mulch and finish: 100 to 200
- Total: 1,750 to 4,000
Family garden reset (150 sqm)
- Clearance: 800 to 2,000
- Soil improvement: 450 to 1,200
- Hard landscaping (patio and paths): 1,500 to 4,000
- New lawn: 300 to 1,500
- Planting (3 borders): 1,500 to 4,500
- Mulch and finish: 200 to 400
- Total: 4,750 to 13,600
How to Phase the Work to Spread the Cost
Not everyone can afford to do a full reset in one go. The work can be phased over 1 to 3 years:
- Year 1: Clearance and soil improvement. Get the garden back to a blank canvas and improve the soil.
- Year 2: Hard landscaping and lawn. Put in the structure and the new lawn.
- Year 3: Planting. Fill the borders with new plants.
Phasing the work spreads the cost and lets you see the garden take shape over time. It also means you can adjust the plan as you go.
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Should I Do a Full Reset or Renovate?
If your garden has good bones (mature shrubs, established hedges, sound hard landscaping) but looks tired, a renovation is better value than a full reset. A renovation keeps what works and replaces what does not.
If the garden is a jungle, or if the layout does not work for you, a full reset is the right choice. See our guide on restoring an overgrown garden for the renovation approach.
Get a Quote for Your Garden Reset
Contact us on WhatsApp to discuss your garden reset. We can do the whole job or phase it over time. We arrange all quotes during a free site visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a full garden reset take?
A small courtyard takes 1 to 2 weeks. A family garden takes 2 to 4 weeks. A large garden takes 4 to 8 weeks. Phased over years, each phase takes 1 to 2 weeks.
Do I need a garden designer?
For a full reset, a design plan is worth the investment. It ensures the layout works and the planting suits the conditions. See our garden design service or browse our Chiltern Garden Design Plan PDFs.
Can I do some of the work myself?
Yes. Many clients do the planting themselves to save money, and we do the clearance, soil work and hard landscaping. This is a good way to spread the cost.
Further Reading
- How much does garden clearance cost?
- How to restore an overgrown garden
- How to plan a garden renovation in stages
- How to plan a garden redesign without wasting money
When budgeting for garden work on mature properties, allow a contingency for unexpected issues such as buried rubble, old foundations or drainage problems that only become visible during the work.
Put this advice into practice
Use the relevant CGM tool or follow a related guide, then send us a few photos if you would like a tailored plan.
Sources and citations
This article draws on the following sources. Specific claims are cited inline where relevant.
- CGM field records (2024-04. Site observations from gardens across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Bedfordshire.
- Royal Horticultural Society (2024). RHS Gardening Advice and Plant Finder. Available at rhs.org.uk.
- Met Office (2024). Regional climate averages, South East England. Available at metoffice.gov.uk.
- British Geological Survey (2024). Soil parent material data for the Chilterns and Thames Valley. Available at bgs.ac.uk.