Estimate mowing, scarification and garden maintenance costs by lawn size and service type.
Estimated price
£36–£48
midpoint £42
Estimates only. Actual prices vary by location and condition.
A standard lawn mow costs £25–£50 for a small to medium garden (up to 50m²), £40–£80 for a medium-large garden (50–100m²), and £60–£150+ for large lawns over 100m². Prices vary by region — London and South East rates run 20–30% higher than the national average. Most gardeners charge by the hour (£20–£35/hr) or by the job once they've assessed the size.
Key factors include lawn size, frequency of visits, grass length and condition (overgrown lawns take longer), access to the garden, disposal of grass cuttings, and whether additional services are included. A lawn that hasn't been maintained for a season may need multiple cuts at higher frequency to bring it back to a manageable standard, which adds to initial cost.
Professional scarification costs £60–£200 for an average UK garden, depending on size and the depth of thatch. Scarification is typically done once a year in autumn or spring and takes considerably longer than a standard mow — expect 2–4 hours for a medium garden. Some gardeners include scarification in seasonal maintenance packages.
Regular fortnightly or monthly maintenance works out cheaper per visit than one-off bookings. A regular client relationship also means the gardener understands your lawn's specific needs. For most homeowners, a fortnightly mow during the growing season (April–October) is the most cost-effective arrangement. Many gardeners offer discounted rates for regular contracts.
Measure the lawn in square metres and multiply by your per-m² rate (typically £0.30–£0.80/m²). Add travel time, disposal costs, and any additional services. Set a minimum charge (£25–£35) so small jobs are still worth attending. For larger commercial contracts, price by annual value and factor in equipment wear and seasonal workload distribution.