Regular garden maintenance round
Mow, weed and tidy gardens for local homeowners and landlords on a weekly or fortnightly visit.
- £800-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
23,217 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 81300 “Landscape service activities”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A round of regular visits to private gardens: mowing, edging, weeding, pruning, hedge trimming and seasonal tidy-ups. You travel between clients with your tools in a van or car and trailer.
Your first three steps
- Check what local gardeners charge and set your hourly or per-visit price
- Buy a reliable mower, strimmer, hedge trimmer and hand tools, and get insured
- Leaflet a few nearby streets and post on local community groups to find your first regular clients
Who pays
Busy homeowners, older people who can no longer manage their garden, and landlords or letting agents looking after rental properties.
How it makes money
Hourly rate or fixed price per visit, with regular clients booked weekly or fortnightly in the growing season. One-off jobs like hedge cutting or a big clear-up add extra income.
Skills that help
- Basic plant and lawn knowledge
- Safe use of garden machinery
- Reliable and good with regular customers
- Route and time planning
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and check whether your cover includes powered tools
- Taking garden waste away may count as carrying waste, so check whether you need to register as a waste carrier
- Check where you can legally dispose of green waste, as tip rules for traders vary by council
- Work drops in winter, so plan your cash flow
- Physical work in all weather, so protect your back and use ear and eye protection
🔒 Full research report for UK
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a gardening round in the UK?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on whether you need a van or a car and trailer, and on the quality of your tools and machinery. Insurance and protective kit should be included in your budget.
How much can I earn from a garden maintenance round?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around £600 to £3,500, depending on how many regular clients you build up and the hours you work, from around 10 hours a week. Work can drop in winter, so plan your cash flow.
What rules should I check before starting a gardening business?
Check whether your public liability insurance covers powered tools. If you take garden waste away, check whether you need to register as a waste carrier, and where you can legally dispose of green waste, as tip rules for traders vary by council.
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