How much for a Ground Force style makeover?

[Ezza1]

The garden we have inherited in our new house is a jungle. Its long and narrow with no defined areas such as patio or grass - just massive trees and bushes and gravelly mulchy stuff underneath. In other words, its horrendous.

I want it smartened up and made safe for the toddler and needs to be low maintenance as I thoroughly dislike gardening.

How would I go about choosing a company to help with this? I dont want to spend a fortune (the house itself needs loads of work too!) and I dont really want a Ground Force water feature type Japanese style feng shuied up garden. I just want it cleared right back, tidied and safe.

What costs do you think I am looking at to get someone in to do this? Id prefer to steer clear of decking but would like patio and grass...

[Periwinkle007]

I would suggest asking round neighbours if they know of any local gardeners or if you have some sort of community group/centre then ask them.

If you don't want anything hugely fancy doing then you really just want a nice normal gardener to come along, offer some suggestions and do the labour for you.

[StiffGandT]

We have an over grown garden which we want to simplify and local gardener has quoted £750 for labour and materials to tidy up, lay gravel and bark and generally improve the look of the place. Hourly rate is £18 if that helps.

[LadyMud]

I guess the first step is deciding what you want from your garden, Ezza. Are you keeping all the trees, or will that make it too shady? Or getting rid of them, or will that lose your privacy?

It might be better to employ someone with access to machinery to do the job quickly and efficiently. That will be cheaper in the long run than having it all done by hand.

If you had it cleared, levelled and laid to grass (either seed or turf), you could add flower beds, decking and other stuff later, when time and funds become available.

[daisydee43]

Where are you located?