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Quick Answer
For most UK gardens, regular maintenance is better value than one-off tidies. A one-off tidy of a family garden costs 300 to 800 per visit. Regular fortnightly maintenance costs 80 to 200 per month. Over a year, one-off tidies (4 per year) cost 1,200 to 3,200, while regular maintenance costs 960 to 2,400. Regular maintenance also keeps the garden healthier.
Annual cost comparison (family garden)
One-off tidies (4 per year): 1,200 to 3,200
Regular fortnightly maintenance: 960 to 2,400
Regular monthly maintenance: 480 to 1,200
DIY (your time only): 0 but 4 to 6 hours per week
When a One-Off Tidy Is the Right Choice
You have just moved in
If you have just bought a property with a neglected garden, a one-off tidy is the right first step. Get the garden back to a manageable state, then decide whether to set up regular maintenance.
You are selling the house
A one-off tidy before photos and viewings is the most cost-effective way to present the garden. See our guide on how much to spend on the garden before selling.
The garden is usually maintained but has got away from you
If you normally look after the garden yourself but have been ill, away, or busy for a few months, a one-off tidy gets you back to baseline.
You enjoy gardening but need help with the heavy work
Some clients do the regular weeding and deadheading themselves but hire us for a one-off tidy twice a year to handle the heavy pruning, hedge cutting and clearance.
When Regular Maintenance Is the Right Choice
You do not have time to garden
If you work full time, have a family, or travel, regular maintenance keeps the garden looking good without you having to find 4 to 6 hours a week.
The garden keeps getting out of hand
If you find yourself needing a one-off tidy more than twice a year, regular maintenance is cheaper. The garden never gets bad enough to need a heavy tidy.
You want the garden to improve over time
Regular maintenance means we get to know your garden. We spot problems early, prune at the right time, and feed when needed. The garden gets better year on year. See the CGM Method.
You have a lawn
Lawns need regular cutting through the growing season. If you have a lawn, regular maintenance is almost always better value than one-off tidies.
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The Real Cost Comparison
One-off tidy approach (4 per year)
A family garden of 150 sqm needs a tidy roughly every 3 months if left unattended. Each tidy costs 300 to 800 depending on the season and how much has grown. Over a year: 1,200 to 3,200.
Regular maintenance approach (fortnightly)
The same garden on fortnightly maintenance costs 80 to 200 per month, or 960 to 2,400 per year. The garden looks good all year, not just after each tidy.
Regular maintenance approach (monthly)
Monthly maintenance costs 40 to 100 per visit, or 480 to 1,200 per year. The lawn will need cutting between visits in summer, but the borders stay in check.
What Is Included in Each Option
One-off tidy includes:
- Lawn cut and edge
- Weeding of all borders
- Cutting back of overgrowth
- Hedge trimming if needed
- Clearance of all waste
- Sweeping of paths and patios
Regular maintenance includes:
- Lawn cut and edge (every visit)
- Weeding of borders (every visit)
- Deadheading (every visit)
- Light pruning (in season)
- Sweeping (every visit)
- Waste removal (every visit)
- Seasonal work (mulching, leaf clearance, hedge cutting)
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How to Decide
Ask yourself these questions:
- How often does the garden need attention? If more than once a month, regular maintenance is better value.
- Do you have a lawn? If yes, regular maintenance is almost always better.
- Do you enjoy gardening? If yes, you might prefer a one-off tidy twice a year plus your own work in between.
- What is your budget? Regular maintenance spreads the cost evenly through the year.
Use Our Maintenance Estimate Tool
Use our garden care level assessment to find out which CGM Care Level your garden needs.
Get Started
Whether you want a one-off tidy or regular maintenance, contact us on WhatsApp and we will aim to respond within 12 to 36 hours, Monday to Sunday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from one-off tidies to regular maintenance?
Yes. Many clients start with a one-off tidy to get the garden back to baseline, then switch to regular maintenance to keep it that way.
Can I pause regular maintenance in winter?
Yes. Most clients pause or reduce visits from December to February when growth is slow. We restart in March.
Do I have to be at home for maintenance visits?
No. Most of our regular clients are at work or away. We agree access in advance.
Further Reading
- How much does regular garden maintenance cost?
- How often should a gardener visit?
- Weekly vs fortnightly gardening
- How to stop a garden becoming overgrown again
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 (2025-07. 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.