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How much does hedge trimming cost? [October 2025]

The short answer

  • The total cost of booking a gardener to trim a hedge can cost anywhere from £30 - £260+ (inc VAT), depending on it's size and condition.
  • Most gardeners will offer hedge trimming as part of their general garden maintenance services. 
  • Whilst you can try tackle this task yourself, it's often safer and more time effective to book a professional gardener.

 

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Contents
 
How much does hedge trimming cost?

 

On average, you can expect to pay between £30 - £260+ (inc VAT) to book a gardener for hedge trimming. 

Many gardeners will offer hedge trimming as part of their general garden maintenance services, along with weeding, pruning and lawn mowing. As most gardeners charge per hour, it's usually more cost effective to book hedge trimming along with these other garden services. 

The total cost of hedge trimming will be determined by a few different factors, but the size and condtion of hedges will most likely play the biggest role.

Here’s a breakdown of average hedge trimming prices in London and outside of London.

Hedge condition & size Estimated time Price range (outside London) Price range (London)
Small & well-maintained (e.g. waist-high, easy access) 1 - 2 hours £30 - £70 (Inc VAT) £40 - £90 (Inc VAT)
Medium or moderately overgrown 2 - 4 hours £60 - £120 (Inc VAT) £90 - £180 (Inc VAT)
Large or heavily overgrown (e.g. tall or wide hedges, ladder needed) 4 - 6+ hours £120 - £190+ (Inc VAT) £180- £260+ (Inc VAT)


Generally, gardeners will charge more in larger cities, with London topping out at around 20% more than other areas. On the other hand, if you live far out into a rural area, you may find that gardeners will charge extra to cover additional time and fuel travelling to your property. 

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What factors affect the cost of hedge trimming?


Aside from hedge size and condition, several other factors will influence the overall cost of hedge trimming, such as when you book, accessiblity and who you book with. 


1. When you book


Bookings made for the weekend, bank holidays, early mornings or later evenings are usually charged at a premium. It's also worth noting that gardeners may charge a higher rate during peak seasons where demand spikes and it's harder to find availability. 


2. Height and accessibility of the hedges


Tall hedges or those that are difficult to access (e.g. behind garden furniture, next to fences or sheds) will natually be a little tricker to trim and often require specialist tools or ladders, which can increase the job time and labour cost.
 


3. Volume of trimmings


If the hedges haven't been trimmed in a while or are particulary overgrown, you may find this creates a lot of garden waste. Many gardeners offer green waste disposal for an extra charge and will just add this to your final bill. Of course, you can choose dispose of it yourself but it's often easier to let your gardener handle it. 

 

4. Who you book with


Larger gardening companies will generally charge more than self-employed gardeners. While booking a freelance gardener may be more affordable, a professional company certainly comes with it's own perks, such access to a responsive customer service team, instant online quotes and better slot availablty.

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What are the benefits of hiring a professional gardener for hedge trimming?



It may seem like a simple task, but there's more to trimming a hedge than you may first think. Doing it incorrectly can result in damaged or uneven hedges, not to mention safety risks when using ladders or power tools.

A professional gardener will have the expert knowledge and experience to shape different hedge species properly without causing any damage. They'll even be able to cut in a way that promotes healthy growth so your hedge can last for many more years to come. 

Particularly overgrown, unruly or even tall hedges can be tricky to handle, especially when working alone. Professional gardeners will be able to handle even the most awkard of hedges with ease and in a safe manner. They'll even be able to safely remove unwanted hedges if needed.

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How often do hedges need trimming?

 

Most hedges benefit from two trims per year, although fast-growing species like privet or leylandii may need more regular maintenance, especially in the growing season.

Type of hedge Examples Trimming frequency
Formal Hedges Boxwood, privet, yew 2–3 times a year
Informal Hedges Hawthorn, beech, viburnum Once or twice a year
Fast-growing Hedges Leylandii, laurel 3–4 times a year
Flowering Hedges Lilac, forsythia After they have finished flowering

 

Regular trimming not only keeps your garden looking neat - it also helps hedges grow back thicker and healthier, preventing them from becoming unruly or bare.

Many gardeners offer recurring hedge trimming services, along with other garden maintenance tasks such as weeding, prunning and lawn mowing, so your garden always stays in shape.

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When is the best time of year for hedge trimming?


The best time to trim a hedge again depends on the type of hedge you have. But in general, early spring is ideal for the first trim of the year, once the risk of frost has passed. Late summer or early autumn is great for a final tidy-up before winter sets in. 
 

Type of hedge

 Examples Best time to trim
Formal Hedges Boxwood, privet, yew
  • Early Spring: First trim after frost risk has passed.
  • Late Summer / Early Autumn: Final tidy-up before winter.
Informal Hedges Hawthorn, beech, viburnum
  • Late Spring or Late Summer: Trim to maintain natural shape.
Fast-growing Hedges Leylandii, laurel
  • Early Spring (first trim) and Late Summer / Early Autumn (final trim).
Flowering Hedges Lilac, forsythia
  • After Blooming: Trim once flowers fade to avoid removing next year's blooms.

 

Just make sure to avoid hedge trimming between March and August if you suspect there may be nesting birds. It’s an offence to disturb active bird nests under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. [1]

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Man booking hedge trimming services on a smart phone through the Housekeep website

Where can I get a quote for hedge trimming?


It's not too tricky to find a gardener if you know where to look. A great starting point is looking through social media groups for local reccomondations - you'll often be able to find photos of previous work as well as honest reviews. It's also a good idea to have a chat with your local garden centre as these will often be able to reccomend someone or offer hedge trimming services themselves, 

Professional tradeperson services, like Housekeep, are also a great way to find tried and trusted gardeners. Just let us know what you need doing and get an instant quote through our online form. We'll send a professional gardener out at a time and date that suits you best. Need us to take care of garden waste? No problem. We'll add that to your final bill after your booking.
 

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Sources


1. Gov: Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Portraits of home cleaning experts

 

Written by Georgina Shepherd & Henry Paterson

Georgina is one Housekeep's home services experts. She's interviewed thousands of the UK's best cleaners and tradespeople - so whether you need advice on a stubborn stain, or you're looking for tips to find the perfect plumber, Georgina's got you covered.

With years of experience in the industry, Henry has delivered talks at industry events including the Ideal Home Show and regularly features as an industry expert for publications including the Sun, Mail Online, Martha Stewart and many more.