If you’re pricing up a garden refresh in Devon, the honest answer is: it depends on what you’re changing and how much groundwork is needed before anything pretty happens.
A “quick tidy-up” might be a few hundred pounds. A proper garden makeover with a new patio, fencing and fresh turf can easily run into the thousands. (For context, MyBuilder puts the average UK garden makeover at around £5,000.)
This guide breaks down typical 2026 price ranges for the most common landscaping services in Devon (patios, driveways, fencing, turfing, garden walls, power washing and exterior painting), plus a few real-world example budgets so you can plan without guesswork.
Local note: Stone Cross Paving Ltd works across Devon (as well as Plymouth and Cornwall) and covers driveways, patios, fencing, turfing, garden walls, power washing and exterior painting, with free advice/quotes and a 5-year guarantee on their work.
Quick Devon landscaping cost snapshot (2026)
These are typical installed price ranges you’ll commonly see in Devon and the wider South West. Use them as a starting point, then get quotes for your exact site.
| Job (common in Devon) | Typical 2026 price range (installed) |
| Landscaper labour | ~£110–£180/day (some guides) up to ~£280/day for landscape gardening |
| Block paving driveway | £90–£130 per m² |
| New patio (installed) | £65–£475 per m² (depends heavily on material/spec) |
| Fencing (installed) | ~£110–£120 per metre (varies by type) |
| Fence panels (supply) | ~£45 per panel (average) |
| Real turf (laid) | £10–£30 per m² |
| Artificial grass (laid) | £30–£60 per m² (typical guide range) |
| Stone garden wall | £214–£428 per m² |
| Exterior house painting | ~£30 per m² (scaffold may be extra) |
| Skip hire | ~£125–£320 per week (+ permit if needed) |
What pushes Devon landscaping costs up (and how to spot it early)
These are the “hidden” cost drivers that catch homeowners out:
1) Groundworks and disposal
In Devon, older patios, tired lawns, and sunken paths often need digging out, levelling, and a solid sub-base. That labour and waste removal can take a big chunk of the budget. Even skip hire alone can be £125–£320 per week depending on size and location.
2) Access (hello, terraces and tight lanes)
If materials have to be barrowed through the house or up steps, labour time increases. Rural properties can also add transport time and delivery costs.
3) Drainage requirements (especially for front gardens and driveways)
If you’re converting a front garden into parking or resurfacing, drainage rules matter. In many cases, planning permission isn’t needed unless impermeable surfacing over 5m² is used (and conservation areas can differ).
4) Material choice
The same patio size can swing wildly depending on whether you choose basic concrete slabs or premium porcelain/natural stone. That’s why patio guides show such a wide range.
Landscaping services in Devon: typical 2026 costs by project type
1) Patios and paving
Patios in 2026 can range from £65–£475 per m² installed, depending on the paving type, base, edging, levels, and detailing.
A practical way to budget:
- Budget patio: simpler slab + straightforward access
- Mid-range patio: better materials, edging, some levelling
- Premium patio: porcelain/natural stone, complex cuts, steps/walls, lighting channels
Devon tip: if your garden gets mossy (common in damp/coastal areas), ask about finishes with better slip resistance and a maintenance plan (periodic wash + re-sand where relevant).
2) Driveways (front-of-house landscaping)
A driveway is often the biggest “landscaping” line item because it needs proper excavation, base layers and (sometimes) drainage.
For block paving, a common 2026 benchmark is £90–£130 per m².
Rule of thumb: the cost is rarely just the surface. The prep is what makes it last.
3) Fencing (privacy, security, pet-safe gardens)
For a typical garden fence replacement, one guide suggests around £110–£120 per metre installed (varies by type and site).
If you’re pricing materials only, fence panels average around £45 per panel.
Devon tip: if your garden is exposed to wind, factor in stronger posts, concrete footing depth, and a design that won’t act like a sail.
4) Turfing and lawns
If your lawn is patchy or waterlogged, turfing can be a quick win.
- Real turf laid: £10–£30 per m²
- Artificial grass laid: £30–£60 per m²
Tip that saves money: a great lawn isn’t “magic turf” – it’s base prep. If the ground isn’t levelled and improved, the lawn will struggle again next winter.
5) Garden walls (structure, levels, and finishing)
Walls are where gardens start to look “designed”, but costs vary with material and foundation needs.
- Stone garden wall: ~£214–£428 per m²
- Brick garden wall (broad guide): can range widely (e.g., £50–£300 per m² depending on brick choice).
If your garden is sloped, retaining/structural work may need extra engineering and drainage behind the wall.
6) Power washing (patios, drives, paths)
Power washing can make a property look “ten years younger” in a day, and it’s often cheaper than replacement.
Typical guide prices vary by service style:
- Task-based examples (e.g., small/medium patio, driveway) can fall roughly in the tens to low hundreds range.
- Deep driveway cleaning cost guides can also be quoted per m², sometimes higher where re-sanding/sealing is included.
Devon tip: if you’ve got block paving, ask whether re-sanding is included after cleaning. It matters for stability and weed control.
7) Exterior painting (kerb appeal + weather protection)
Exterior painting prices depend on surface condition, height, and prep. A common benchmark is around £30 per m², and scaffolding may be extra.
This is one of those jobs where good preparation (scraping, filling, priming) is the difference between “looks great for years” and “peels by next winter”.
Example budgets (realistic Devon scenarios)
These are illustrative so you can sanity-check quotes.
Example A: “Make it look cared-for” (small refresh)
- Power wash patio/paths
- Replace a few broken slabs
- Patch turf or re-seed
- Paint fences/sheds
Typical budget: £500–£2,000 (depending on size, repairs, and paintwork scope)
Example B: Family garden upgrade (most common)
- New patio seating area
- Replace fencing line
- Re-turf lawn
- Add a small wall/edging and tidy beds
Because a UK garden makeover averages around £5,000, this type often lands in the £4,000–£10,000 range depending on spec.
Example C: Front garden + driveway kerb appeal
- New driveway surface (block paving)
- Small path + edging
- A bit of planting + power wash/paint
Driveway costs alone can be significant (block paving benchmarks £90–£130 per m²), so totals often fall in the £6,000–£15,000+ range depending on area and drainage.
How to keep landscaping costs sensible (without cutting corners)
- Do it in phases: start with drainage/levels, then add the “nice bits” (walls, lighting, planting).
- Reuse where possible: cleaning and re-laying can be cheaper than full replacement.
- Be clear on finishes: edging, steps, and patterns add time. Pick the details that matter most visually.
- Ask for an itemised quote: materials, labour, waste removal, and optional extras should be separated.
Hiring landscapers Devon: a quick checklist
When you’re comparing landscapers Devon, ask:
- What’s included in the quote: groundworks, waste removal, sub-base depth, drainage?
- What’s the warranty/guarantee on workmanship?
- What materials are being used (and from where)?
- Do you have examples of similar projects locally?
Stone Cross Paving Ltd, for example, lists the relevant outdoor services (driveways, patios, fencing, turfing, garden walls, power washing, exterior painting), covers Devon, and notes a 5-year guarantee plus free quotes.
FAQs
Is it cheaper to landscape in winter in Devon?
Sometimes you can get better availability, but weather can slow groundworks and curing times. For patios/driveways, spring to early autumn is usually smoother.
Do I need planning permission for a new driveway?
Often not, but rules can apply if you’re using impermeable surfacing over 5m² in a front garden, and conservation areas can differ.
What’s the biggest “hidden cost”?
Ground prep and removal. Clearance, levelling and sub-base work can be a large part of the bill, plus skip hire where needed.