Where’s the job?

Scope of Works

• Lawn mowing, edging and clearance of cuttings

• Hedge trimming and shaping, including removal of trimmings

• Pruning shrubs and small trees, remove deadwood and dispose of arisings

• Weed control, bed cultivation and application of mulch or fertiliser as agreed

• Clear-up and disposal of green waste; leave paths and borders tidy

• Advice on ongoing care, soil condition and recommended plants or treatments; safety PPE used when applying chemicals

Typical Cost

Time on Site

Typical maintenance visit 1–3 hours; small clearances or planting can take 2–6 hours; larger tidy-ups or one-off clearances may take a full day or more. Factors that extend time include heavy overgrowth, restricted access, bad weather and required specialist equipment

Questions to Ask Your Tradie

• Are you insured for public liability and for working on my property

• Do you include waste removal in the quote or charge extra for bags/skip

• Will you use herbicides or pesticides and can you provide COSHH details

• Do you supply materials (plants, mulch) or should I provide them

• Can you confirm cleanup standard and whether hard surfaces will be swept

• Do you have references or photos of similar jobs and a written estimate

How to Avoid Surprises

• Ensure clear access to the garden and move vehicles to allow parking near the work area

• Tell the tradesperson about underground services, water points and any fragile features

• Agree waste disposal method and any extra charges for skips before work starts

• Confirm whether chemicals will be used and ask for safety measures around children and pets

• Check for any site rules if you live in a managed estate and arrange neighbour access if needed

• Ask about contingency for bad weather and whether the job will be rescheduled or finished in sections