The UK landscaping industry is a major part of the UK economy. From garden patios and driveways to commercial grounds maintenance and urban green infrastructure, landscaping has become one of the most important sectors in the British economy - contributing £38 billion to GDP, supporting over 722,000 jobs, and serving a nation where 87% of households have access to a garden. This guide covers the latest landscaping statistics for the UK in 2026, covering everything from market size and employment to paving costs, garden trends, property value impact, and regulations.
Report Highlights
- The UK landscaping services industry is worth £7.7 billion in 2026, growing at 4.6% year-on-year and a CAGR of 4.0% over the five years to 2025-26.
- The broader environmental horticulture and landscaping industry contributed £38 billion to UK GDP in 2023 and supported 722,000 jobs - equivalent to £1 in every £71 of the UK's GDP.
- UK homeowners are expected to spend an average of £865 on garden and outdoor projects in 2026, up from £798 in 2025 - representing a £1 billion boost for the sector.
- The UK outdoor living market is projected to surpass £6.5 billion in 2025, with a 25% surge in garden centre sales and 59% of consumers planning to purchase new outdoor furniture or accessories.
- A well-designed garden can increase a UK property's value by up to 20%, while properties with well-maintained gardens sell 15% faster than those without.
- 87% of UK households have access to a garden, with the average UK garden spanning 188m² - and 22% of gardeners are reducing lawn sizes in favour of paved areas, decking, or additional planting beds.
- 93,706 people are employed in UK landscaping services in 2026, up from 92,999 in 2025, with employment growing at a CAGR of 3.9% over the past five years.
- The UK domestic garden hard landscaping market was valued at £357 million in 2024, with an 8% increase forecast by 2027, pushing the market to £418 million by 2028.
UK Landscaping Market Size & Value
The UK landscaping sector encompasses everything from residential garden design and maintenance to commercial grounds management, hard landscaping (paving, driveways, walling), and public green infrastructure. Multiple market sizing approaches capture different segments of this market:
- UK landscaping services industry revenue (2026): £7.7 billion, growing at 4.6% year-on-year. Revenue grew at a compound annual rate of 4.0% over the five years to 2025-26.
- UK landscaping services market: Generated revenue of $21.19 billion (approx. £16.7 billion) in 2022, projected to reach $34.49 billion (approx. £27.2 billion) by 2030 at a CAGR of 6.3%.
- UK environmental horticulture and landscaping total GDP contribution (2023): £38.0 billion - equivalent to £1 in every £71 of UK GDP. This includes direct (£16.3 billion), indirect supply chain (£12.1 billion), and induced wage-spending impacts (£9.6 billion).
- Landscape services direct GDP contribution (2023): £8.5 billion - the single largest segment, accounting for 59% of the environmental horticulture industry's direct GDP impact.
- UK domestic garden hard landscaping market (2024): £357 million. The market declined 11% during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 but rebounded 6% in 2021. An 8% increase is forecast by 2027, pushing the market to £418 million by 2028.
- UK block paving market (2025): Estimated at $4.8 billion (approx. £3.8 billion), projected to grow to $8.0 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 6.5%. Growth is driven by residential, commercial, and infrastructure demand.
- UK lawn and garden retail market (2025): £9.34 billion in revenue, expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.74% from 2025 to 2029.
- UK outdoor living market (2025): Projected to surpass £6.5 billion, with a 25% surge in garden centre sales year-on-year.
- UK outdoor structures market: Forecast to reach £742.2 million by 2027, driven by demand for garden rooms, offices, and multifunctional outdoor buildings.
- UK decking market: Expected to reach £476.54 million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 6.71% from 2023 to 2030.
- UK garden rooms market: Valued at £226 million in 2024, with garden rooms adding 5–15% to property value.
Economic Impact & Employment
A 2024 study by Oxford Economics, commissioned by the Environmental Horticultural Group (EHG) and the RHS, quantified the full economic footprint of environmental horticulture and landscaping in the UK:
- Total GDP contribution: £38.0 billion in 2023, equivalent to £1 in every £71 of UK GDP. This is greater than the direct GVA contribution of the aerospace manufacturing sector.
- Total jobs supported: 722,000 in 2023 - broadly equivalent to the entire population of Cardiff. This includes 417,000 direct jobs and 305,000 indirect/induced jobs across the supply chain and wider economy.
- Total tax revenues: £8.5 billion in 2023 - equivalent to the salaries of 80,000+ nursing professionals.
- Landscape services alone supported 355,000 total jobs and £17.9 billion in total GDP, making it by far the largest segment. Direct employment in landscape services was 235,000 - including 95,000 at registered firms, 75,000 self-employed/sole traders, and 65,000 in landscaping roles within other industries.
- UK households spent approximately £5.8 billion on professional gardeners and landscapers in 2023. Landscaping projects accounted for 64% of this spend, with routine maintenance making up the remaining 36%.
- UK households spent approximately £13.2 billion on garden goods in 2023 - equivalent to £1 in every £100 of household spending. Top categories: cut flowers (£3.88 billion), outdoor plants (£1.97 billion), garden sheds (£1.12 billion), and garden furniture (£1.02 billion).
- 93,706 people employed in UK landscaping services in 2026, up from 92,999 in 2025. Employment grew at a CAGR of 3.9% between 2021 and 2026.
- 24,702 landscaping services businesses in the UK in 2026, having grown at a CAGR of 4.9% between 2021 and 2026. The average landscaping business employs 3.8 people.
- 12,115 people employed in urban planning and landscape architectural activities in the UK in 2026, growing at a CAGR of 3.8%.
- The UK has major green skills gaps: Over 50% of businesses in the landscaping sector have a hard-to-fill vacancy. Businesses are having to turn down contracts due to workforce shortages, particularly in biodiversity and nature recovery.
- Market demand for landscape skills is extremely high, particularly driven by biodiversity, nature recovery, and the government's green infrastructure targets. Skills gaps are most acute in the public sector and outside major cities.
UK Garden Ownership & Spending Statistics
- 87% of UK households have access to a garden, highlighting the importance of outdoor spaces in British life.
- The average UK garden spans 188m², providing ample room for patios, driveways, decking, planting beds, and outdoor structures.
- UK homeowners are expected to spend an average of £865 on garden and outdoor projects in 2026, up from £798 in 2025 - a year-on-year increase of £67 per homeowner.
- The average homeowner is set to spend £3,071 on home and garden updates in 2026. Younger homeowners (aged 25–34) plan to spend £1,352 on outdoor projects - over three times more than over-55s (£431).
- Almost half of homeowners aged 25–34 intend to increase their home and garden spending in 2026, compared with just 14% of over-55s.
- 70% of UK garden owners intend to spend on their outdoor space in 2026, with 39% saying they will spend more this year than last.
- 1 in 10 UK homeowners are choosing to invest in their gardens instead of going on holiday, prioritising outdoor spaces over leisure experiences as rising costs impact discretionary spending.
- People aged 65 and above spend the most on gardening products, averaging approximately £5.10 per week. South West England has the highest regional garden spend at £4.60 per week.
- 72% of UK buyers say a garden is a "must-have" or "strongly preferred" when buying a home. 1 in 3 buyers would reconsider a property with no outdoor space.
- March and April remain the most popular months for UK residents to start new gardening projects, as homeowners take advantage of warmer weather to redesign outdoor spaces. Keyword searches in home and garden peaked at 37 million entering March last year.
Property Value & Kerb Appeal
- A well-designed garden can increase a UK property's value by up to 20%, depending on the size, location, and usability of the space.
- Landscaping improvements such as patios can increase a home's value by 10–12%.
- Properties with well-maintained gardens sell 15% faster than those without.
- A new driveway can add 5–10% to a property's value. With the average UK house price at £293,000, that's a potential £14,650–£29,300 value uplift.
- Simple garden improvements can add up to £6,000 to a property's value. 60% of buyers are put off by homes lacking kerb appeal.
- Regional garden value potential (20% uplift): London: £109,788. South East: £76,721. East of England: £68,077. South West: £61,169. West Midlands: £48,874. North West: £42,206. Yorkshire: £40,797.
- Basic maintenance like pressure-washing patios and cutting grass (cost: £0–£20) can add up to £1,000 in value. Adding mulch to flower beds (£10–£25) can give a professional look and add £2,000.
- Garden rooms add 5–15% to property value, according to estate agent insights. The UK garden rooms market was valued at £226 million in 2024.
Paving, Patio & Driveway Costs UK 2025–2026
Understanding material and installation costs is essential for homeowners, landscapers, and suppliers alike. Here are the latest UK cost benchmarks:
Driveway Costs per m²
| Material | Material Cost per m² | Installation Cost per m² | Total Cost per m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | £30 | £30 | £60 |
| Tarmac | £50 | £40 | £90 |
| Concrete | £50 | £45 | £95 |
| Block Paving | £50 | £50 | £100 |
| Resin Bound | £70 | £50 | £120 |
Source: Checkatrade, December 2024
Patio Costs per m²
| Patio Type | Average Cost per m² (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Concrete Patio | £65–£120 |
| Budget Paving Slabs | £70–£100 |
| Brick Patio | £80–£140 |
| Flagstone Patio | £120–£475 |
| Raised Patio (concrete) | £85–£275 |
Source: Checkatrade, September 2024
Block Paving Material Costs per m²
| Material | Cost per m² |
|---|---|
| Concrete Blocks | £40 |
| Gravel | £50–£70 |
| Natural Stone Blocks | £80 |
| Clay Blocks | £85 |
| Resin | £110–£180 |
Source: MyBuilder, 2025
- Average block paving driveway cost: £3,000–£7,000 in total for a small to average-sized one or two-car driveway. A simple pattern takes around 3 days (£5,000), while a complex herringbone design takes up to 5 days (£5,750).
- Average new patio cost: £1,700+ for a typical 20m² project. Labour costs: £280 per day per tradesperson, with a standard patio taking 3–4 days to lay (£1,080–£2,160 in labour alone).
- Regional pricing variations: London and the South East cost 15–25% above the national average due to higher labour rates (£180–£250/day vs. £150–£200 elsewhere). Northern England, Wales, and Scotland are typically 10–15% below national averages.
- Labour cost for block paving: £35–£70 per m². Ground preparation adds approximately £40 per m². Waste removal: £250. Patio removal: £300–£450.
Permeable Paving & SuDS Regulations
- SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) regulations require permeable paving for any driveway over 5m² that uses impermeable materials. If you use permeable materials (resin bound, gravel, permeable block paving), no planning permission is required - any size.
- If you use impermeable materials (standard tarmac, concrete, non-permeable paving) over 5m², you must apply for planning permission - costing £262 and taking 8–12 weeks to process.
- Permeable paving allows water to drain naturally into the ground, reducing surface water run-off, preventing flooding, and avoiding overwhelming local drainage systems. This is increasingly important as UK climate patterns bring heavier downpours.
- Popular SuDS-compliant materials include: resin bound gravel, permeable block paving, porous asphalt, and standard gravel - all of which meet drainage requirements without planning permission.
- Non-compliance risks: If water from your driveway runs off onto the road or public drain, you are not compliant and could face enforcement notices, penalties, or be required to redo the work.
- The Flood and Water Management Act 2010, the Planning Policy Guidance, and the National Planning Policy Framework all reference SuDS requirements explicitly. Early engagement with these regulations is essential for homeowners and landscapers.
- Permeable paving is one of the strongest growth areas in the UK landscaping market, driven by tightening regulations, flood risk awareness, and consumer preference for low-maintenance, environmentally responsible driveways.
UK Garden & Landscaping Trends for 2026
- Outdoor living spaces as extensions of the home: The strongest trend for 2026 is designing gardens that work in all seasons - covered seating areas, fire pits, outdoor kitchens, pergolas with retractable roofs, and garden rooms for year-round use.
- Low-maintenance gardens: Homeowners are opting for gravel, raised beds, and durable paving materials over high-maintenance lawns. 22% of UK gardeners are reducing their lawn sizes in favour of paved areas, decking, or additional planting beds.
- Sustainability and eco-conscious design: Permeable paving, recycled and responsibly sourced materials, water-efficient irrigation, and native planting to promote biodiversity are central to 2026 garden design.
- Nature-integrated design: The dominant aesthetic for 2026 blurs the line between house and garden, favouring organic materials, botanical colour tones (sage, olive, moss), and "zoning" - creating distinct outdoor rooms for cooking, lounging, and dining.
- Smart outdoor technology: Robotic garden tools, smart lighting systems, app-controlled irrigation, and motion-sensor security lighting are becoming essential features in modern UK gardens.
- Porcelain and natural stone paving: Premium paving materials continue to dominate homeowner wishlists. Italian porcelain paving, Indian sandstone, and limestone offer durability, low maintenance, and aesthetic appeal.
- Homegrown produce: 28% of UK households now have a dedicated vegetable patch and 36% grow their own herbs, fruits, or vegetables. Raised beds and kitchen gardens are a core part of modern garden design.
- Garden rooms and offices: The UK garden rooms market was valued at £226 million in 2024. Remote working has driven a 22% increase in searches for properties with garden offices.
- Wildlife-friendly gardens: 87% of UK residents are interested in attracting more wildlife to their gardens. Wildflower meadows, bug hotels, and native planting are increasingly popular.
- Bold paving patterns and mixed materials: Landscapers are combining porcelain with natural stone, adding decorative edging, and using creative laying patterns (herringbone, basketweave, mixed-size) to create unique outdoor spaces.
Hard Landscaping & Paving Market
- The UK domestic garden hard landscaping market was valued at £357 million in 2024. The market is closely tied to residential construction, housebuilding, and repair, maintenance, and improvement (RMI) activity.
- An 8% increase is forecast by 2027, pushing the market to £418 million by 2028. Growth is driven by government housing plans, improving economic conditions, and consumer optimism.
- The UK block paving market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2025 to 2033, driven by residential, commercial, and industrial applications and a sustained preference for durable, versatile paving solutions.
- The market is composed of national suppliers offering broad product ranges and smaller regional companies. Imported materials play a significant role as consumers seek variety influenced by international design trends.
- Landscape and garden design and construction is the fastest-growing segment in the UK landscaping services market, while landscape and garden maintenance and management remains the largest by revenue (44.74% share in 2022).
- Key material trends: Indian sandstone remains the UK's most popular natural paving stone. Porcelain paving (especially Italian-manufactured) is growing rapidly due to its durability, low porosity, and modern aesthetic. Limestone and slate provide premium alternatives.
- WPC (wood-plastic composite) decking is growing as a complementary product, offering enhanced durability, lower maintenance, and eco-friendly benefits compared to traditional timber.
- 46% of gardeners are using organic fertilisers, avoiding chemicals to protect soil and the environment - a trend that extends to natural, sustainably sourced paving materials.
Sustainability & Environmental Benefits
- Urban vegetation removed harmful pollutants generating £800.5 million in avoided negative health impacts in Great Britain in 2021. Green spaces, including landscaped gardens, are essential to urban air quality.
- Urban cooling provided by green and blue spaces was valued at £233 million in avoided costs in 2021 - reducing heat-related health impacts in UK cities.
- Noise reduction from urban trees and vegetation was valued at £16.6 million annually in avoided loss of quality-adjusted life years from sleep disturbance and annoyance.
- Permeable paving reduces flood risk by allowing rainwater to drain naturally, easing pressure on public drainage systems and reducing surface water pollution. SuDS-compliant installations are now a regulatory requirement for driveways over 5m².
- Recycled and sustainable materials are increasingly popular: bamboo, reclaimed stone, recycled aggregates, and sustainably sourced timber are replacing virgin materials in both hard and soft landscaping.
- The UK government's green infrastructure targets and biodiversity net gain requirements are creating significant new demand for professional landscaping services, particularly for ecological landscaping, green roofs, bioswales, and nature recovery projects.
- The landscaping industry is well placed to support national climate adaptation goals: from urban greening and tree planting to flood mitigation through permeable surfaces and sustainable drainage.
Industry Challenges
- Skills shortages: Over 50% of landscaping businesses have a hard-to-fill vacancy. The Landscape Institute warns that skills gaps are inhibiting the UK's ability to deliver on climate adaptation and nature recovery plans.
- Rising material costs: Inflation and supply chain disruption have increased the cost of stone, aggregates, and imported materials. Average driveway machine prices have risen, putting pressure on both suppliers and end consumers.
- Economic uncertainty: While consumer spending on gardens is rising, higher-earning homeowners are driving the increase. Lower-income households are reducing spend, creating a growing income divide in the market.
- Regulatory complexity: SuDS regulations, planning permission requirements, and conservation area restrictions add compliance costs. Many homeowners remain unaware of the rules around impermeable surfaces.
- Competition from DIY: More than half of UK homeowners do their own garden DIY rather than hiring a professional. Social media tutorials and budget-conscious spending habits are driving this trend.
- Weather dependency: The UK landscaping industry remains highly seasonal, with March to October being the core trading period. Wet winters and unpredictable spring weather can delay projects and reduce revenue.
UK Landscaping Industry Outlook 2026–2030
- Market growth: The UK landscaping services industry is projected to continue growing beyond its current £7.7 billion valuation, driven by housing construction, sustainability mandates, and consumer investment in outdoor living.
- Hard landscaping recovery: The domestic hard landscaping market is forecast to reach £418 million by 2028, with the government's ambitious housing plans and improving consumer confidence supporting growth.
- Green skills demand: Biodiversity net gain requirements, urban greening projects, and climate adaptation plans will drive sustained demand for professional landscaping skills - but workforce shortages remain a significant constraint.
- Permeable paving growth: Tightening SuDS regulations, flood risk awareness, and consumer preference for sustainable solutions will continue to drive demand for permeable driveways and patios.
- Technology integration: Smart irrigation, robotic tools, drone surveys, and digital design tools will increasingly become standard in both residential and commercial landscaping.
- Outdoor living investment: With UK homeowners spending £865+ per year on garden projects and younger demographics driving increased investment, the outdoor living market will continue its strong upward trajectory.
- Property value premium: As the housing market remains competitive, well-landscaped gardens and high-quality paving will continue to command significant price premiums and faster sales.
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