The Cost of Garden Design Explained: What to Expect in 2025
- Dominik Ag
- Jun 9
- 3 min read
Thinking about transforming your garden? One of the most common questions we hear is: “How much does it actually cost to design and build a garden properly?”
It’s a great question — but the answer depends on more than just square metres. The design determines the investment. Not the other way around.
We've designed medium-sized gardens that cost £80,000 to build… and others that exceeded £500,000. The vision, complexity, materials and features — they all influence the final figure.
This guide will walk you through how premium garden design is priced, what’s included, and how to plan realistically for a seamless transformation.
Why Garden Size Alone Doesn’t Predict the Budget
A luxury garden is not just a patio and a bit of planting.
It’s a full outdoor living space — tailored to your lifestyle, your home, and how you want to use the space.
The same 250sqm garden could be designed with:
● A clean, minimalist layout and soft planting
● Or: a full outdoor kitchen, water feature, custom lighting, garden room, fire pit lounge, and swimming pool
👉An outdoor kitchen, for example, might range from £12,000 to £50,000+, depending on the materials, appliances, cladding, and detailing.
That’s why smart planning begins with design.
What’s Included in a Professional Garden Design Package?
At Landscape Design Group, our three garden design packages cover everything needed to confidently plan your project — from concept to construction.
Here’s what our design process includes:
● 2D plans & scaled layouts
● Mood boards & visual concept direction
● 3D renders (day and night)
● 3D walkthrough video
● Irrigation plans
● Drainage plans
● Construction detailing
● Lighting plans
● Planting plans with full species lists
● Outdoor feature design (kitchens, garden rooms, fire pits, pergolas)
● Furniture and product sourcing
● Swimming pool or driveway design (if required)
● Penny-accurate investment guidance for the full build
We design with precision — so you know exactly what you’re getting, and what it will cost, before a shovel hits the ground.
🔗Learn more about our full Garden Design Process.
How Much Does Garden Design Cost?
Here are the typical design fees for premium garden design services in the UK (2025):
Garden Size Design Fee Range
Small Garden £2,000 – £3,500
Medium Garden £3,500 – £6,000
Large Garden £6,000 – £8,000+
Your investment includes detailed drawings, 3D visualisation, full technical planning, planting schemes, and tailored cost guidance for the build phase.
What About the Landscaping Build Costs?
This is where your design vision starts to shape the investment.
Landscaping build costs for premium design-and-build projects typically range from:
£200 – £500+ per square metre
This excludes high-end features like:
● Outdoor kitchens
● Garden rooms
● Bespoke cladding or luxury paving
● Pools, hot tubs or custom pergolas
👉Here’s a rough guide based on overall garden size:
Garden Size Build Budget Range
Small Garden (up to 150m²) £20,000 – £80,000
Medium Garden (up to 350m²) £50,000 – £120,000
Large Garden (up to 500m²) £100,000 – £250,000
Extra Large Garden (500m²+) £150,000 – £1,000,000+
🔗Want a deeper breakdown? See our guide on Garden Renovation Costs.
Why Design First = Smarter Investment
Without proper planning, projects run into delays, overspend, or regret. Design-first ensures:
● Your wishlist fits your space and budget
● You avoid mistakes or oversights during the build
● You understand where to invest and where to simplify
● Every element — lighting, drainage, materials, planting — is integrated
That’s why our clients see design as the most important part of their project, not an optional extra.
How We Help You Plan With Certainty
During the design stage, we give you a clear, realistic investment estimate tailored to your specific plan.
You’ll know where every pound goes — before anything is built.
If needed, we can even phase projects over time while keeping the full vision intact.
Want Clarity on What Your Garden Might Cost?
Let’s talk it through.
You’ll get tailored advice, design insights, investment clarity, and a step-by-step understanding of what it takes to get your garden transformation right — first time.
If you feel like you'd like our team to take the stress out of designing and building your garden for you, click below and book a free design consultation. Make your dreams a reality.
Don't forget to download our '9 Common Mistakes To Avoid For Homeowners' guide!
