If you're thinking about hiring a gardener in Guildford, one of the first questions is what it will cost. There's no single answer, because no two gardens are the same. A small, flat town garden in Stoughton needs very different work from a large sloping plot in Merrow or a country garden near Shalford. What we can do is explain what drives the price, so you can understand any quote you receive and decide what level of help you actually need.
This guide is written for homeowners, landlords and managing agents looking at garden maintenance in Guildford, whether that's regular visits or a one-off tidy-up.
How gardeners usually charge
Most gardeners in Surrey price their work in one of three ways:
- By the hour: common for general maintenance, where the tasks change with the seasons. You pay for the time spent on site, sometimes with a minimum visit length.
- By the visit: a fixed price for an agreed list of jobs, such as mowing, edging and weeding, on a regular schedule.
- By the job: a fixed quote for a defined piece of work, such as cutting back a long hedge or clearing an overgrown border.
Each approach has its place. Fixed visit prices make budgeting easy, while hourly work is more flexible when the garden's needs vary. Whichever way you're quoted, make sure you know exactly what is included.
What affects the cost of a gardener
The size and layout of your garden
The bigger the garden, the longer each visit takes. Layout matters too. Lots of narrow beds, steps, pots and awkward corners take longer to maintain than an open lawn with a couple of borders. Steep gardens, which are common on the slopes around Guildford and Godalming, are slower and harder to work.
How often you want visits
Frequency is one of the biggest factors. A garden visited every week or fortnight in the growing season stays under control, so each visit is quicker. A garden that's only looked at a few times a year tends to need bigger, longer sessions to catch up. Many customers find regular visits work out better value over a full year than occasional large tidy-ups.
The tasks involved
Mowing and edging are quick on a regular basis. Hedge cutting, pruning, weeding neglected borders, scarifying a lawn or clearing leaves all take more time. Tall hedges may need platforms or access equipment, which adds to the job. A good gardener will agree a seasonal task list with you so you know what to expect.
Green waste removal
Clippings, prunings and leaves have to go somewhere. Some customers use their council garden waste bin or compost heap. Others prefer the gardener to take everything away. Taking waste away involves vehicle space, time and disposal fees at licensed sites, so it's usually reflected in the price. Ask whether removal is included and how much waste is expected.
Access and parking
Easy side access and parking near the house help a lot. If mowers and tools have to be carried through the house, or parking is restricted, as it often is in central Guildford, jobs take longer. Mention any access issues when you ask for a quote.
Equipment and skills
Some jobs need specialist kit or knowledge, such as lawn renovation, shaping formal hedges or pruning fruit trees at the right time of year. Experienced, properly equipped and insured gardeners may cost more than someone with a mower in a car boot, but the work is usually done faster and to a higher standard.
VAT, insurance and reliability
Larger businesses may be VAT registered, which affects the final figure. Public liability insurance protects you if something goes wrong, for example a stone thrown by a strimmer breaking a window. It's worth checking this for anyone working on your property.
Regular maintenance or a one-off tidy-up?
If your garden has become overgrown, the most cost-effective route is often a one-off clearance to get it back under control, followed by regular visits to keep it there. Trying to maintain a badly overgrown garden with short visits rarely works. Our garden clearance service deals with the heavy work first, then a maintenance plan stops it getting out of hand again.
A one-off visit can also make sense before selling or letting a property, or after a long period away.
How to get good value from a gardener
- Be clear about priorities. Tell the gardener what matters most to you, such as a neat lawn, tidy hedges or colourful borders.
- Do the easy jobs yourself if you enjoy them. Many people deadhead and water themselves and leave the heavier work to a professional.
- Agree a written task list. It avoids misunderstandings and makes quotes easy to compare.
- Think about the whole year. Spring and summer are busy. Autumn brings leaves and pruning. Winter is quieter but useful for structural work.
- Compare like with like. A cheaper quote that excludes waste removal or hedge cutting may cost more overall.
Gardening on Guildford's different soils
Local conditions affect the workload too. Gardens on the chalk of the North Downs dry out quickly and lawns can brown in summer. Sandy greensand gardens to the south need more feeding and watering. Clay soils, found in lower parts of the town and around Cranleigh, compact and waterlog in winter. Our guide to gardening on Guildford chalk vs Woking sandy soil explains the differences in more detail.
Evergreen Gardeners work across Guildford, Godalming, Woking and Cranleigh, plus the villages in between.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to hire a gardener by the hour or by the visit?
Neither is always cheaper. Hourly rates suit gardens where tasks change through the year. A fixed visit price suits a regular routine of mowing, edging and weeding. The best value comes from a clear task list and a sensible visit frequency.
How often should a gardener visit?
Most gardens benefit from weekly or fortnightly visits from spring to autumn and monthly visits through winter. Smaller, low-maintenance gardens may need less.
Does the price include taking away garden waste?
It depends on the gardener. Always ask whether green waste removal is included, as disposal at licensed sites has a cost.
Can I get a fixed quote before work starts?
Yes. We visit, look at the garden and agree what you want done, then give you a clear written quote with no obligation.
For a free, no-obligation quote, call Evergreen Gardeners on 07383 778366 or send us a message. We'll visit, talk through what you need and give you a clear written price.
