Garden Renovation in London
If your garden has become the part of the house you avoid, you are not alone. Across London we see gardens that have been neglected for years, inherited from previous owners, or simply outgrown the family using them. Soil Sisters specialises in taking tired, unloved outdoor spaces and turning them into gardens people actually want to spend time in. We handle everything, from ripping out the old to designing and building the new. Call us on 0203 834 9807 or request a free site visit to get started.
What Counts as a Garden Renovation?
A renovation is not a quick tidy-up. It is a proper transformation of an outdoor space that is no longer working. That might mean stripping everything back to bare earth and starting again. It might mean keeping the bones of the layout but replacing broken paving, removing overgrown planting and adding structure where there was none.
Common reasons our London clients come to us for a renovation:
- Moving into a property where the garden has been neglected for years
- A garden that was thrown together by a developer and never properly designed
- Broken or sinking paving, rotten fencing, a lawn that is mostly moss
- The garden no longer suits how the family uses it, children have grown up, or they need a space for entertaining rather than a trampoline
- Drainage problems flooding the patio every time it rains, a common London clay issue
- Wanting to add value before selling. A well-designed garden adds 5 to 15 percent to a London property value
What You Get When You Work With Us
We are a design-and-build firm, which means you deal with one team from the first conversation to the finished garden. No separate designer, no third-party contractor you have never met. Here is what our garden renovation service covers.
Full Site Assessment
We check levels, drainage, soil condition, aspect (sun and shade through the day), access routes for materials, existing trees with TPOs, and anything that might affect the design or build. A lot of renovation projects go wrong because nobody checked these things properly at the start.
Clearance and Demolition
Removing what needs to go. Old paving, broken structures, overgrown shrubs and trees (subject to TPO checks), rubbish and rubble. We handle all waste removal and disposal responsibly.
Design and 3D Visualisation
A full concept design, presented as hand-drawn plans and photorealistic 3D renders. You see your renovated garden before we break ground. We include a planting plan with species lists, Latin names and spacing.
Hard Landscaping
- Patios and paving in porcelain, natural stone, sandstone or slate
- Timber and composite decking, including raised decks for sloping sites
- Retaining walls, raised beds and edging in brick, sleeper or rendered block
- New fencing and boundary treatments including slatted cedar screens
- Pathways, steps and access ramps
- Drainage systems, soakaways and channel drains for London clay
Soft Landscaping and Planting
- Bespoke planting schemes tailored to your aspect, soil and how much maintenance you want to do
- Turf laying with full ground preparation, or artificial grass if you prefer
- Mature specimen planting for instant impact
- Hedge planting and living screens for privacy
Finishing and Extras
Garden lighting, automated irrigation, water features, pergolas, garden rooms. If it goes in a garden, we can design and install it. See our garden lighting guide for ideas, or our planning permission guide if you are thinking about a garden room.
Garden Renovation Costs in London
London is more expensive than the rest of the UK for garden work, no way around it. Labour rates here run £220 to £350 per day per operative. Materials often need to be carried through the house on terraced streets, which adds time and money. We are upfront about all of this. No surprises on the invoice.
Renovation Cost by Project Scale
| Project scale | Typical garden size | Cost range | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refresh | Up to 30 sqm | £3,500 to £7,000 | Clearance, new lawn, basic planting, minor repairs to existing paving or fencing |
| Partial renovation | 20 to 50 sqm | £7,000 to £15,000 | New patio or decking area, replanting, new fencing, improved drainage |
| Full renovation | 30 to 60 sqm | £15,000 to £30,000 | Complete redesign, new hard and soft landscaping, lighting, bespoke planting plan |
| Premium transformation | 50 sqm plus | £30,000 to £60,000+ | High-spec materials, water features, garden structures, automated irrigation, mature planting |
Cost Per Square Metre
| Spec level | Price per sqm | What that gets you |
|---|---|---|
| Basic renovation | £80 to £150 | Clearance, new lawn, simple planting, gravel paths, basic fencing |
| Mid-range | £150 to £250 | Patio or decking, custom planting scheme, new fencing, garden lighting |
| Premium | £250 to £400+ | Natural stone paving, bespoke structures, water features, automated irrigation, full design package |
Individual Element Costs
| Element | Typical London cost |
|---|---|
| Garden clearance and waste removal | £500 to £2,000 |
| Design fee (deducted from build if you proceed) | £600 to £1,800 |
| Paving, porcelain (supplied and laid) | £85 to £160 per sqm |
| Paving, Indian sandstone (supplied and laid) | £55 to £100 per sqm |
| Composite decking (supplied and laid) | £80 to £150 per sqm |
| Turf (supplied and laid, including ground prep) | £15 to £25 per sqm |
| Close-board fencing (per linear metre) | £65 to £120 |
| Slatted cedar screen panels | £150 to £300 per panel |
| Drainage works | £800 to £3,000 |
Our design fee starts at £600 for a small garden renovation and includes a full site survey, concept design, 3D render and planting plan. That fee comes off the build quote if you proceed with the construction. For a detailed breakdown, see our garden design budget guide.
Our Renovation Process
We keep it straightforward. No jargon, no mystery about what happens next.
- Free site visit. We come to your garden, look at what you have, listen to what you want and discuss what is realistic for your space and budget. No obligation.
- Survey and design brief. We measure the site, check levels, drainage, soil and access. You get a written brief confirming scope, budget range and timeline.
- Concept design and 3D renders. We produce concept layouts and photorealistic renders so you can see the finished result before anything is torn out.
- Detailed quote. A line-by-line quote covering every material, labour cost and skip. No hidden extras. We will visit suppliers with you if you want to see materials in person.
- Clearance and groundworks. We strip out the old garden, deal with any drainage issues, level the site and prepare for the build.
- Construction. Hard landscaping goes in: paving, decking, walls, fencing, steps, edging. We communicate daily on progress.
- Planting and finishing. Soft landscaping, lighting, irrigation and every finishing detail. Then we walk you through your new garden.
- Aftercare. A written care guide and the option of ongoing maintenance packages to keep everything looking sharp.
Why Renovating a London Garden Is Different
Every city has its quirks, but London gardens have a specific set of challenges that catch out landscapers who are not used to working here.
Access. Most terraced and semi-detached properties have no rear vehicle access. Everything goes through the house or over a wall, which means smaller loads, more trips, and higher labour costs. We plan for this from the quoting stage so you are not hit with unexpected charges.
London clay. Much of South and East London sits on heavy clay that drains badly and moves with the seasons. If your existing patio has sunk or cracked, clay is likely the reason. Proper sub-base preparation and drainage design is not optional here, it is essential.
Overlooking. London plots are tight and neighbours are close. Screening, clever level changes and vertical planting can create privacy without making a small garden feel like a walled box. We use these techniques constantly.
Tree Preservation Orders. Mature trees in London are often protected. Before we touch any tree, we check the council TPO register. If a tree is protected, we work the design around it.
Conservation areas. Parts of London have stricter rules on what you can do in your garden, including restrictions on hard surfacing and boundary treatments. We check this at the survey stage.
Recent Renovation Projects
Browse our full portfolio on the Our Work page. Here are some recent renovations.
- Mottingham, SE9. A completely overgrown rear garden stripped back and rebuilt with Indian sandstone paving, raised sleeper beds, new turf and structured planting. Budget: £14,000.
- Beckenham, BR3. A dated 1990s garden with crumbling concrete paving. Full redesign with natural stone patio, bespoke pergola, mixed borders and new fencing. Budget: £22,000.
- Langley Park, BR3. A large sloping garden with drainage problems. New terraced levels, retaining walls, composite decking, lawn and specimen tree planting. Budget: £35,000.
Areas We Cover Across London
We carry out garden renovations right across Greater London and into the surrounding counties.
South London
Dulwich, Peckham, Brixton, Clapham, Battersea, Tooting, Crystal Palace, Sydenham, Forest Hill, Lewisham, Greenwich, Bromley, Beckenham, Mottingham, Eltham, Blackheath
South West London
Barnes, Fulham, Chelsea, Kensington, Hammersmith, Putney, Wandsworth, Richmond, Wimbledon, Kingston
North London
Islington, Camden, Highgate, Hampstead, Muswell Hill, Crouch End, Finchley, Barnet
East London
Hackney, Shoreditch, Stratford, Walthamstow, Canary Wharf, Bow, Bethnal Green
Beyond London
We also work across Kent, Surrey, Essex and Buckinghamshire.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a garden renovation take in London?
A small renovation (clearance, new lawn, basic planting) takes 5 to 10 working days. A mid-size project with new paving, planting and fencing runs 2 to 4 weeks. A full transformation of a larger garden can take 4 to 8 weeks. We give you a realistic schedule at the quoting stage and stick to it.
Is it cheaper to renovate a garden or start from scratch?
It depends on the condition of what is there. If the existing paving is sound and just needs cleaning, keeping it saves money. If the foundations have failed or the layout is wrong, ripping it out and starting fresh is usually more cost-effective than patching. We will tell you honestly which approach makes more sense during the site visit.
Do I need planning permission to renovate my garden?
Most rear garden work falls under permitted development and does not need planning permission. Exceptions include paving over a front garden with impermeable materials (over 5 sqm), raising levels significantly, or working in a conservation area. We check all of this at the survey stage. For structures like garden rooms, see our planning permission guide.
What is the best time of year for a garden renovation?
Hard landscaping can be done at any time of year, though we avoid laying paving in heavy frost. For planting, autumn and spring are ideal because plants establish root systems before summer heat or winter cold. We often schedule the build phase for late summer or autumn so the planting goes in at the perfect time.
Can you renovate a garden on a tight budget?
Yes. We are honest about where to put your money for maximum impact. A well-laid patio and a decent lawn will transform a garden for under £5,000. Gravel is cheaper than stone paving. Smaller plants cost less upfront and fill in within a couple of seasons. We will always find a way to work with your budget.
Do you handle drainage problems during a renovation?
Absolutely. Drainage is one of the most common issues in London gardens, especially on clay soil. We install soakaways, French drains and channel drains as part of the renovation. Getting drainage right at this stage avoids expensive problems later. It is not glamorous work, but it is the difference between a garden that lasts and one that floods.
What happens to my plants during a renovation?
If you have plants worth keeping, we lift and store them during the build phase and replant them in the new design. We will advise you on which existing plants are worth saving and which should be replaced.
Ready to Renovate Your Garden?
Whether your garden needs a complete overhaul or a targeted refresh, we can help. Call 0203 834 9807 or contact us online to book your free site visit. We will come, look at what you have, and give you an honest assessment of what is possible for your space and your budget.
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