How to Plan a Garden Renovation in Stages

Why Stage a Garden Renovation

A garden renovation is a big project. Doing it all at once is expensive, disruptive, and risky. If you make a mistake, you have to live with it. Staging the renovation spreads the cost, lets you see how each stage looks before starting the next, and allows you to adjust the plan as you go.

In the Chilterns, where gardens range from small courtyard plots to large hillside gardens, staged renovation is particularly useful. A 25,000 pound renovation is a lot to find in one year, but 8,000 pounds a year for 3 years is manageable. This guide explains how to plan a garden renovation in stages.

The 5-Stage Renovation Plan

Stage 1: Design and Brief (Year 1, spring)

Before any work starts, get a design. A design saves money by avoiding mistakes and creates a cohesive plan.

• Write a clear brief (who uses the garden, what for, budget, style)
• Get a garden design plan (500 to 2,000 pounds)
• Choose the plants and materials
• Get quotes for each stage

See our garden design service.

Stage 2: Clearance and Prep (Year 1, autumn)

Clear the existing garden and prepare the soil.

• Clear overgrowth, weeds, and unwanted plants
• Remove buried rubble and debris
• Improve the soil with compost and organic matter
• Repair or replace broken fences and structures
• Install drainage if needed

Cost: 500 to 2,000 pounds. See our clearance service.

Stage 3: Hard Landscaping (Year 1, autumn/winter)

Do the hard landscaping in autumn and winter when the garden is dormant. This is the most expensive stage but lasts the longest.

• Lay patios and paths
• Build raised beds and retaining walls
• Install fences and gates
• Lay new lawns (seed or turf)
• Install irrigation and lighting

Cost: 3,000 to 15,000 pounds. See our soft landscaping service (which includes hard landscaping elements).

Stage 4: Planting (Year 2, autumn/spring)

Plant in autumn (October to December) or spring (March to May) when the soil is warm and moist.

• Plant trees and shrubs
• Plant perennials and grasses
• Plant hedges
• Plant bulbs
• Mulch after planting

Cost: 1,000 to 5,000 pounds. See our soft landscaping service.

Stage 5: Finishing Touches (Year 2/3)

The final stage adds the details that make the garden feel finished.

• Pots and containers
• Garden furniture
• Lighting
• Water features
• Sculpture and art
• Garden buildings (summerhouse, shed)

Cost: 500 to 3,000 pounds.

How to Phase the Work Over 1 to 3 Years

The Benefits of Staging

• Spreads the cost: 8,000 pounds a year is more manageable than 25,000 pounds in one go
• Lets you adjust the plan: after each stage, you can see how it looks and adjust the next stage
• Reduces disruption: the garden is not a building site for 6 months
• Allows for seasonal planting: you can plant at the right time of year
• Lets you learn: after stage 1, you know more about your garden and can make better decisions

What to Do in Stage 1 If You Have a Limited Budget

If you cannot afford the full renovation, do these high-impact, low-cost jobs first:

• Clear the garden (500 to 1,500 pounds)
• Mow and edge the lawn (free if DIY)
• Cut back overgrowth (100 to 300 pounds)
• Repair broken fences (100 to 500 pounds)
• Clean the patio (100 to 250 pounds for pressure washing)

Total: 800 to 2,500 pounds. This transforms the look of the garden for a relatively small investment.

Common Mistakes

• Not having a design. A renovation without a design ends up looking piecemeal. Get a design first.
• Doing the planting before the hard landscaping. Plants get damaged by hard landscaping work. Do hard landscaping first.
• Planting at the wrong time. Plant in autumn or spring, not summer.
• Not improving the soil. Plants in poor soil struggle and die. Improve the soil before planting.
• Trying to do too much at once. A staged renovation is more manageable and gives better results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a staged garden renovation take?

1 to 3 years. Stage 1 takes 3 to 6 months, stage 2 takes 1 to 3 months, stage 3 takes 3 to 12 months to establish.

Should I do the work myself or hire a contractor?

A mix is usually best. Do the easy bits yourself (planting, mulching) and hire a professional for the hard work (patios, fences, large trees). Our base rate is 40 pounds .

How much should I budget for a garden renovation?

5,000 to 25,000 pounds for a medium garden (300 sqm). Small gardens cost less, large gardens cost more.

Get Help Planning Your Garden Renovation

If you want to plan a garden renovation in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Bedfordshire, send us a WhatsApp with photos and we will aim to respond within 12 to 36 hours, Monday to Sunday.

Further Reading

• How to plan a garden redesign without wasting money
• Garden design mistakes
• Our garden design service

Sources and citations

This article draws on the following sources. Specific claims are cited inline where relevant.

1. CGM field records (2024-02. Site observations from gardens across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Bedfordshire.
2. Royal Horticultural Society (2024). RHS Gardening Advice and Plant Finder. Available at rhs.org.uk.
3. Met Office (2024). Regional climate averages, South East England. Available at metoffice.gov.uk.
4. British Geological Survey (2024). Soil parent material data for the Chilterns and Thames Valley. Available at bgs.ac.uk.