A well-designed garden adds usable living space and genuine value to a property. A badly planned one costs money every year in repairs, drainage problems and replanting. Gardens across the North East face the same challenges: heavy clay soils, wet winters, exposed coastal wind in Sunderland and sloping plots in Durham. This guide covers what to plan, what to spend and what to avoid. All prices are in pounds sterling and reflect typical North East labour and material costs.
Start with drainage and levels
Before choosing a single plant or paving slab, deal with water and ground levels. Clay soil holds water, and a patio laid without proper falls will pool and grow algae within a season. Fixing drainage after landscaping means digging it all up again.
- Patios need a fall of roughly 1:80 away from the house, and must sit at least 150mm below the damp-proof course
- Soakaways or land drains are often needed on clay; allow £600 to £1,800 depending on size and access
- Sloping plots may need terracing or retaining walls to create usable flat areas
Budget for groundworks first. They are invisible when finished but they decide whether the garden lasts 5 years or 25.
Patios and hard landscaping
Hard landscaping is the backbone of most gardens. Porcelain paving is now the most popular choice in the North East: it resists frost, does not stain and needs almost no maintenance. Natural sandstone and Indian stone remain good options but need sealing and regular cleaning.
- Porcelain patio, fully laid on a proper sub-base: £85 to £130 per m²
- Natural stone patio: £70 to £120 per m²
- Concrete or sandstone-effect paving: £50 to £80 per m²
- A typical 20m² patio therefore costs around £1,700 to £2,600 for porcelain
Retaining walls, raised beds and boundaries
Retaining walls and raised beds give structure, especially on sloping plots. Anything holding back more than about a metre of soil needs proper engineering, with foundations, drainage behind the wall and the correct block or brick. Cheap, thin walls are one of the most common failures we are asked to put right.
- Brick or block retaining wall, rendered or faced: £250 to £450 per linear metre
- Sleeper raised beds: £60 to £120 per linear metre installed
- Close-board fencing: £60 to £110 per linear metre; composite or slatted fencing costs more
Lawns, planting and lighting
Turf laid in early autumn or spring establishes best in North East conditions. Prepare the ground properly, remove stones, level and feed it. Choose planting that suits exposure: hardy shrubs, grasses and evergreens cope well with wind and cold. Low-voltage LED lighting transforms a garden after dark and uses very little power.
- New turf, including ground preparation: £12 to £22 per m²
- Planting scheme with shrubs and perennials: £800 to £2,500 for an average garden
- Garden lighting, installed by a qualified electrician: £500 to £1,800
What a full garden project costs
Costs vary with access, ground conditions and finish, but these ranges give a realistic starting point for an average suburban garden.
- Tidy-up and refresh (turf, planting, minor paving): £2,500 to £5,000
- Mid-range transformation (patio, lawn, borders, fencing, lighting): £8,000 to £16,000
- Full redesign with levels, retaining walls and decking or outdoor kitchen: £18,000 to £35,000+
The cheapest quote is rarely the cheapest result. Check that sub-base depth, drainage and materials are written into the scope.
Planning your garden project
Most landscaping does not need planning permission, but raised platforms over 300mm, tall boundary structures and some works in conservation areas may. If you are thinking about a garden project, we can visit your property in Newcastle, Durham, Sunderland or across the wider North East, talk through your options honestly and give you a written scope. Get in touch to arrange a free site visit and a fixed-price quote.
