If you’re planning a garden project in Dublin, the first question on your mind is probably “how much is this going to cost?” It’s a fair question — and one that’s surprisingly difficult to answer, because landscaping costs vary enormously depending on what you need, the size of your garden, the materials involved, and who you hire.
This guide gives you honest, realistic pricing for every common landscaping service in Dublin in 2026 — from basic garden maintenance to full garden transformations. These figures are based on Lion Paving & Landscaping’s 8+ years of experience working across North Dublin, South Dublin, and Kildare.
Landscaping Labour Rates in Dublin (2026)
Before we look at specific project costs, it helps to understand the basic rate structures that Dublin landscapers use:
| Rate Type | Typical Range | Notes |
| Hourly rate (general gardener) | €25 – €50/hr | Basic maintenance tasks — mowing, weeding, tidying |
| Half-day rate | €120 – €200 | Approximately 4 hours of work |
| Full-day rate | €220 – €350 | Approximately 8 hours of work |
| Skilled landscaper / tradesperson | €35 – €55/hr | Paving, stonework, construction tasks |
| Two-person crew (per day) | €400 – €600 | Most patio and fencing jobs require a crew |
Important: Beware of quotes that seem unusually cheap. A landscaper quoting €15–20/hour is almost certainly not insured, may not be registered, and the quality of work will reflect the price. Quality landscaping requires skilled tradespeople, proper insurance, and professional equipment — that costs money for a good reason.
Common Landscaping Project Costs in Dublin
Patio Installation
| Patio Type | Cost per m² (Installed) | Typical 20m² Patio |
| Concrete slabs | €40 – €70 | €800 – €1,400 |
| Cobblelock | €50 – €80 | €1,000 – €1,600 |
| Indian sandstone | €70 – €100 | €1,400 – €2,000 |
| Limestone | €85 – €120 | €1,700 – €2,400 |
| Porcelain | €80 – €150 | €1,600 – €3,000 |
| Granite | €100 – €140 | €2,000 – €2,800 |
All prices include ground preparation, sub-base, materials, laying, and jointing. See our detailed patio installation page for more information.
Garden Fencing
| Fence Type | Cost per Metre (Installed) | Typical 30m Boundary |
| Standard overlap panels (6ft) | €40 – €65 | €1,200 – €1,950 |
| Closeboard fencing (6ft) | €55 – €85 | €1,650 – €2,550 |
| Composite fencing (6ft) | €120 – €200 | €3,600 – €6,000 |
Includes concrete posts, gravel boards, panels, and old fence removal. More details on our fencing service page.
Lawn Services
| Service | Typical Cost | Notes |
| New turf lawn (supply + lay) | €12 – €20/m² | Includes ground prep, topsoil, and quality turf |
| Artificial grass (supply + install) | €55 – €90/m² | Includes sub-base, membrane, and premium artificial turf |
| Lawn mowing (one-off visit) | €40 – €80 | Depends on lawn size and condition |
| Lawn scarifying + aerating | €100 – €250 | Seasonal treatment for compacted or mossy lawns |
Explore our new turf lawn and artificial grass services for more details.
Hard Landscaping
| Service | Typical Cost Range | Notes |
| Retaining wall (stone/block) | €150 – €350/m² | Depends on height, material, and access |
| Garden steps (stone/concrete) | €200 – €500 per step | Price varies with material and width |
| Raised planting beds | €300 – €800 each | Block or sleeper construction, filled with topsoil |
| Driveway paving | €50 – €120/m² | Cobblelock, tarmac, or natural stone options |
| Garden drainage | €500 – €2,000+ | Linear drains, soakaways, or French drains |
See our full range of hard landscaping services: retaining walls, steps, and masonry work.
Want an accurate price for your specific project? We offer free, no-obligation site visits and detailed written quotes. Call +353 85 778 0394 or request a quote online.
Full Garden Renovation Costs in Dublin
For homeowners considering a complete garden transformation, here’s what typical full renovation projects cost in Dublin in 2026:
| Project Scope | Typical Cost Range | What’s Usually Included |
| Small front garden makeover | €3,000 – €6,000 | New paving, planting, boundary fencing, and clean-up |
| Average rear garden renovation | €8,000 – €15,000 | Patio, fencing, lawn (turf or artificial), raised beds, planting |
| Large garden transformation | €15,000 – €30,000+ | Multiple patio areas, retaining walls, steps, fencing, lighting, planting design |
| Design fees (if separate) | €650 – €1,200 | Professional garden design plan with 2D/3D visualisation |
Budget tip: If a full renovation is beyond your current budget, consider phasing the work. Many of our clients start with the patio and fencing in year one, then add planting, lawn, and finishing touches in year two. This spreads the cost while still achieving a cohesive end result — as long as the overall design is planned upfront.
Why Landscaping Quotes Vary So Much in Dublin
It’s not unusual to receive quotes that differ by 50% or more for what appears to be the same project. Understanding why helps you compare quotes fairly and avoid costly mistakes.
Quality of Materials
There’s a significant price difference between budget and premium materials. A concrete slab patio at €40/m² and a natural limestone patio at €120/m² are completely different products with very different lifespans. Make sure you’re comparing like with like when reviewing quotes. Ask each contractor to specify the exact materials, brands, and specifications.
Depth of Ground Preparation
The single biggest variable in patio and driveway installation is the sub-base. A proper installation requires excavation to the correct depth, compacted MOT Type 1 stone (typically 100–150mm), and a mortar bed. Cheaper quotes often cut corners here — less excavation, thinner sub-base, or no proper compaction. The result looks identical on day one, but fails within 2–3 years as slabs shift, crack, and drainage problems appear.
Insurance and Professionalism
A fully insured, professionally operated landscaping business has overhead costs that a solo operator working cash-in-hand does not. Public liability insurance alone costs €800–€2,000+ per year. These costs are reflected in the quote — but they also mean that if something goes wrong, you’re protected. An uninsured contractor who damages your property or injures someone on your land leaves you carrying the risk.
Ongoing Garden Maintenance Costs
Once your garden is looking great, keeping it that way requires regular maintenance. Here’s what ongoing professional maintenance typically costs in Dublin:
| Service | Frequency | Typical Cost |
| General garden maintenance visit | Monthly or fortnightly | €80 – €150 per visit |
| Hedge trimming | 1–3 times per year | €80 – €400 per visit |
| Patio pressure washing | Annually | €100 – €250 |
| Fence staining / treatment | Every 2–3 years | €200 – €500 |
| Seasonal planting (spring/autumn) | Twice yearly | €150 – €400 per session |
Our hedge trimming and garden maintenance services are available as one-off visits or regular packages.
Looking for a regular maintenance package to keep your garden in top shape year-round? We offer flexible monthly and seasonal plans tailored to your garden’s needs. Call +353 85 778 0394 to discuss options
How to Get the Best Value from a Dublin Landscaper
Understand What Drives Cost
Landscaping pricing in Dublin is driven by five key factors: materials (which can account for 30–50% of the total cost), labour (typically 40–60%), ground preparation and waste removal (often underestimated), access difficulty (rear gardens with no side access cost more because materials must be carried through the house or over walls), and project complexity (curves, multiple levels, and intricate designs take more time than straightforward layouts).
Watch Out for Hidden Costs
The most common surprise costs in Dublin landscaping projects are skip hire and waste removal (can add €300–€600 if not included in the quote), drainage work required once excavation reveals poor ground conditions, additional ground preparation if the existing sub-base or hardcore is inadequate, and VAT — always confirm whether quoted prices include or exclude VAT at 13.5%. A reputable landscaper will flag potential additional costs upfront during the site visit rather than surprise you mid-project.
Get Multiple Quotes
Always get at least three written quotes for any significant project. Make sure each quote breaks down the same scope of work — materials, labour, ground preparation, waste removal, and any extras. The cheapest quote is rarely the best value.
Check Insurance and References
Any professional landscaper should carry public liability insurance (minimum €2 million cover). Ask to see their certificate. Request references from recent local projects and, if possible, visit a completed job to see the quality first-hand.
Bundle Services
Combining multiple services into a single project is always more cost-effective. If you need a patio, fencing, and a new lawn, booking them together saves on mobilisation costs, skip hire, and overall labour time. Most landscapers, including Lion Paving & Landscaping, offer discounted rates for bundled projects.
Plan in Winter, Build in Late Winter/Early Spring
The quietest period for Dublin landscapers is November–February. Booking during this window often means shorter waiting times and, in some cases, more competitive pricing. Plus, your garden is dormant, so there’s less disruption to plants and lawn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does a landscaper charge per day in Dublin?
A single landscaper charges €220–€350 per day. A two-person crew costs €400–€600 per day. Rates depend on the skill level required — general garden maintenance is cheaper than skilled paving or stonework.
Q: How much does a full garden renovation cost in Dublin?
A small front garden makeover costs €3,000–€6,000. An average rear garden renovation runs €8,000–€15,000. Large, complex transformations can reach €15,000–€30,000+, depending on materials and scope.
Q: Is it worth hiring a professional landscaper or doing it myself?
For basic tasks like mowing and weeding, DIY is fine. For paving, fencing, retaining walls, or any project involving ground preparation and drainage, professional installation pays for itself in durability and quality. Poor DIY hard landscaping typically fails within 2–3 years and costs more to fix than the original professional job.
Q: What should I look for when hiring a landscaper in Dublin?
Public liability insurance, written itemised quotes, verifiable references from local projects, a clear timeline, and evidence of quality work (portfolio or site visits). Be cautious of anyone who insists on cash-only payment with no written agreement.
Q: When is the best time to get landscaping done in Dublin?
Late winter and early spring (February–April) is ideal for hard landscaping like patios, walls, and fencing — the garden is dormant, and contractors have shorter waiting lists. Planting is best in spring or autumn. Avoid scheduling major work during peak summer.
Get a Free Quote for Your Dublin Landscaping Project
At Lion Paving & Landscaping, we believe in transparent, honest pricing with no hidden costs. Every quote we provide is detailed, itemised, and written — so you know exactly what you’re paying for before any work begins. We’ve been transforming Dublin gardens for over 8 years, and we’re proud of the quality and value we deliver on every project.
Call us: +353 85 778 0394
Email: sales@lionpavingandlandscaping.ie
Online: Request a Free Quote
Visit us: Get Directions
Lion Paving & Landscaping
259 Birches Rd, Wedgwood, Dublin 16, D16Y5E5
Serving North Dublin, South Dublin, Kildare & Surrounding Areas
