By TradesmenIreland Editorial Team · Published 9 March 2026 · Last updated 22 May 2026
Landscaping and Garden Design Costs in Ireland 2026
Thinking of transforming your garden? Whether it's a simple patio, a complete redesign, or ongoing maintenance, understanding landscaping costs helps you plan your budget and avoid surprises.
Quick Answer: Landscaping Costs
| Garden design (plan only) | €300 - €1,500 |
| Small garden makeover | €3,000 - €8,000 |
| Medium garden transformation | €8,000 - €20,000 |
| Large/luxury garden | €20,000 - €50,000+ |
| Patio installation (20m²) | €2,000 - €5,000 |
| Lawn installation (100m²) | €800 - €2,000 |
Landscaping is highly variable. A simple lawn and patio costs a fraction of a designed garden with water features, lighting, and mature planting.
Garden Design Costs
Before any work begins, you might want a professional design. This is especially worthwhile for larger budgets or complex gardens.
Design Service Levels
| Service Level | Cost | What You Get |
| Consultation only | €150 - €300 | 1-2 hour site visit, verbal advice |
| Basic plan | €300 - €600 | 2D layout, plant suggestions |
| Detailed design | €600 - €1,500 | Full drawings, planting plan, materials spec |
| Premium design | €1,500 - €3,000+ | 3D visualisation, lighting plan, full specification |
Do you need a garden designer?
Worth it if:
- Garden has tricky aspects (slopes, drainage, shade)
- You want something cohesive and designed
- You're not sure what you want
Skip it if:
- Simple project (patio + lawn)
- You enjoy planning yourself
Design Fees as Percentage
Some designers charge 10-15% of the total project budget. For a €30,000 garden, expect €3,000-4,500 in design fees.
Patio and Paving Costs
Patios are the most popular landscaping project in Ireland. Prices vary hugely based on materials.
Patio Installation by Material
| Material | Cost per m² (supplied & fitted) |
| Concrete slabs (basic) | €60 - €90 |
| Concrete slabs (premium) | €90 - €130 |
| Indian sandstone | €100 - €150 |
| Porcelain paving | €130 - €200 |
Typical Patio Project Costs
| Patio Size | Basic | Mid-Range | Premium |
| Small (15m²) | €1,200 - €1,800 | €1,800 - €2,800 | €2,800 - €4,500 |
| Medium (25m²) | €1,800 - €2,800 | €2,800 - €4,500 | €4,500 - €7,000 |
| Large (40m²) | €2,800 - €4,500 | €4,500 - €7,000 | €7,000 - €12,000 |
Prices include excavation, sub-base, laying, and jointing.
What Affects Patio Costs?
- Access: Can materials be delivered close to the site?
- Ground conditions: Rocky or waterlogged ground costs more
- Existing patio removal: Add €20-40/m²
- Drainage: May need soakaway or connection to drains
- Steps/retaining walls: Add €150-400 per step
- Patterns: Herringbone or complex patterns cost more than straight laying
Driveway Costs
| Material | Cost per m² | 50m² Driveway |
| Gravel | €25 - €45 | €1,250 - €2,250 |
| Tarmac | €50 - €80 | €2,500 - €4,000 |
| Block paving | €80 - €130 | €4,000 - €6,500 |
| Resin bound | €80 - €120 | €4,000 - €6,000 |
| Concrete (plain) | €60 - €90 | €3,000 - €4,500 |
| Imprinted concrete | €80 - €120 | €4,000 - €6,000 |
| Natural stone | €150 - €250 | €7,500 - €12,500 |
Additional Driveway Costs
| Existing driveway removal | €500 - €1,500 |
| Drainage channel | €150 - €400 |
| Edging/kerbing | €20 - €40 per linear metre |
| Electric gates | €2,000 - €6,000 |
| Pillar lights | €200 - €500 each |
Lawn Installation
Seeded Lawn
| Ground preparation only | €3 - €6 |
| Full installation (prep + seed) | €6 - €12 |
100m² seeded lawn: €600 - €1,200
Turfed Lawn
| Ground preparation | €3 - €6 |
| Full installation | €12 - €20 |
100m² turfed lawn: €1,200 - €2,000
Artificial Grass
| Budget (20-25mm) | €40 - €60 |
| Mid-range (30-35mm) | €60 - €85 |
| Premium (35-40mm) | €85 - €120 |
100m² artificial lawn (mid-range): €6,000 - €8,500 installed
Artificial grass has high upfront costs but zero maintenance. It pays back over 5-10 years if you currently pay for lawn care.
Fencing and Boundaries
| Fence Type | Cost per linear metre |
| Standard timber panels (1.8m high) | €50 - €80 |
| Premium timber panels | €80 - €120 |
| Timber post and rail | €40 - €70 |
| Concrete posts with timber panels | €60 - €100 |
| Concrete panels | €70 - €100 |
| Metal railings | €100 - €200 |
| Brick wall (1m high) | €200 - €350 |
30m fence (average back garden): €1,500 - €3,600
Hedge Planting
| Hedge Type | Cost per linear metre |
| Privet/beech (bare root) | €15 - €30 |
| Mature instant hedge | €150 - €400 |
Decking Costs
| Decking Material | Cost per m² (installed) |
| Softwood (treated pine) | €100 - €150 |
| Hardwood (oak, iroko) | €200 - €350 |
Decking Project Costs
| Size | Softwood | Composite | Hardwood |
| 10m² | €1,000 - €1,500 | €1,500 - €2,500 | €2,000 - €3,500 |
| 20m² | €2,000 - €3,000 | €3,000 - €5,000 | €4,000 - €7,000 |
| 30m² | €3,000 - €4,500 | €4,500 - €7,500 | €6,000 - €10,500 |
Composite and hardwood cost more initially but last 25+ years vs 10-15 for softwood.
Raised Decking
If your garden slopes or you want a raised platform:
- Add 30-50% for framework and steps
- May need building regulations if over 1m high
Garden Features
Water Features
| Simple fountain | €300 - €800 |
| Pond (small, pre-formed) | €500 - €1,500 |
| Pond (medium, liner) | €1,500 - €4,000 |
| Natural swimming pond | €25,000 - €60,000 |
| Hot tub installation | €8,000 - €25,000 |
Outdoor Structures
| Garden shed (2x2m) | €500 - €1,500 |
| Premium shed/workshop | €2,000 - €6,000 |
| Pergola (timber) | €1,500 - €4,000 |
| Pergola (aluminium) | €3,000 - €8,000 |
| Garden room/office | €15,000 - €40,000 |
| Log cabin | €8,000 - €25,000 |
Outdoor Lighting
| Lighting Type | Cost per Unit (installed) |
| Festoon/string lights | €150 - €400 |
| Full lighting scheme | €1,500 - €5,000 |
Planting Costs
Plants and Trees
| Shrubs (large/mature) | €50 - €150 |
| Ornamental tree (2-3m) | €80 - €200 |
| Semi-mature tree (4-5m) | €300 - €800 |
| Mature tree (5m+) | €500 - €2,000+ |
Planting Labour
| Border preparation (per m²) | €15 - €30 |
| Planting (per plant) | €5 - €15 |
| Mulching (per m²) | €8 - €15 |
| Full planting scheme (designer + plants + labour) | €50 - €150 per m² |
Full Garden Makeover Costs
Small Garden (50-80m²)
| Level | Cost Range | What's Included |
| Budget | €3,000 - €6,000 | New lawn, basic patio, tidy borders |
| Mid-range | €6,000 - €12,000 | Quality patio, new lawn, fencing, planting |
| Premium | €12,000 - €20,000 | Design, premium materials, lighting, features |
Medium Garden (100-200m²)
| Level | Cost Range | What's Included |
| Budget | €6,000 - €12,000 | Lawn, patio, basic planting |
| Mid-range | €12,000 - €25,000 | Design, quality materials, features |
| Premium | €25,000 - €45,000 | Full design, premium everything, structures |
Large Garden (200m²+)
| Level | Cost Range | What's Included |
| Budget | €10,000 - €20,000 | Basic transformation |
| Mid-range | €20,000 - €50,000 | Comprehensive design and installation |
| Premium | €50,000 - €150,000+ | Luxury finish, mature planting, multiple zones |
Day Rates for Landscapers
| Landscaper + labourer | €350 - €500 |
| Mini digger + operator | €300 - €450 |
Day rates suit maintenance, clearance, and small jobs. Get fixed quotes for defined projects.
Garden Maintenance Costs
One-Off Services
| Hedge trimming (per hour) | €40 - €60 |
| Garden clearance (per day) | €200 - €350 |
| Pressure washing (patio) | €100 - €250 |
Regular Maintenance Contracts
| Frequency | Small Garden | Medium Garden | Large Garden |
| Weekly | €60 - €100/month | €100 - €180/month | €180 - €350/month |
| Fortnightly | €40 - €70/month | €70 - €120/month | €120 - €220/month |
| Monthly | €30 - €50/month | €50 - €80/month | €80 - €150/month |
How to Save Money
1. Phase the Work
Do the hard landscaping (patio, paths) first. Add planting next year when you've recovered financially.
2. Do Some Prep Yourself
- Remove old paving (hire a skip)
3. Choose Materials Wisely
Concrete slabs can look excellent with good laying. You don't always need natural stone.
4. Buy Plants Small
A €10 shrub today will look identical to a €50 one in 2-3 years.
5. Seed, Don't Turf
Seeded lawns cost half as much. They just need more patience.
6. Get Multiple Quotes
Landscaping quotes vary enormously. We've seen €15,000 vs €35,000 for identical projects through TradesmenIreland.ie. Always get at least 3 quotes.
7. Time It Right
Book for autumn/winter when landscapers are quieter. It's also the best planting season.
Questions to Ask a Landscaper
1. Can I see examples of similar projects you've completed?
2. What's included in the quote (plants, materials, skip hire)?
3. Do you have public liability insurance?
4. Who will actually do the work (them or subcontractors)?
5. What's the timeline and payment schedule?
6. How will drainage be handled?
7. What warranty/guarantee do you offer?
8. What happens if we find problems (buried concrete, poor soil)?
Red Flags
🚩 No written quote — essential for a project this size
🚩 Wants large deposit upfront — 10-20% is normal; 50% is a red flag
🚩 No insurance — you're liable if a worker gets injured
🚩 No portfolio — reputable landscapers have photos
🚩 Pushes expensive materials — good landscapers work to your budget
🚩 Won't visit site before quoting — every garden is different
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a garden makeover cost in Ireland?
A basic garden transformation costs €3,000-8,000. A mid-range redesign with patio, lawn, and planting runs €10,000-25,000. High-end gardens with features, lighting, and mature plants cost €30,000-80,000+.
Is it cheaper to DIY landscaping?
Yes, but the quality difference is usually visible. Hard landscaping (patios, paths) is difficult to DIY well. Planting and lawn care are more achievable for homeowners.
When is the best time to landscape a garden?
Autumn (September-November) is ideal. Ground is workable, plants establish well over winter, and landscapers are less busy. Avoid mid-summer (dry, expensive) and late winter (waterlogged ground).
How long does landscaping take?
A small garden takes 1-2 weeks. Medium gardens need 2-4 weeks. Large or complex projects can take 6-12 weeks. Weather is a factor—wet weather causes delays.
Do landscapers need planning permission?
Usually not for standard garden work. However, you may need permission for: structures over a certain size, work in conservation areas, removing protected trees, or significant changes to front gardens in some areas. Your landscaper should advise.
Should I tip my landscaper?
Tipping isn't expected in Ireland for tradespeople. If you're particularly pleased with the work, buying the team lunch or a few drinks at the end is a nice gesture but not obligatory.
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