Question 1

How much does it cost to start a gardening business in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Hand tools, power tools and a first year of insurance come to about £700 to £3,600 before a vehicle, on the figures in this guide. Lawn treatment adds about £350 to £650 for the PA1 and PA6 certificates. Lawn care franchises listed on L’Express Franchise start from a total investment of £17,999.

Question 2

How much does a gardener charge for four hours?

Accepted Answer

At the published 2026 hourly rates, four hours costs about £100 to £180 outside London and £140 to £240 in London and the South East.

Question 3

Is a gardening business profitable in the UK?

Accepted Answer

On illustrative figures, a round of 24 visits a week at £45 leaves about £34,300 before tax on £43,200 of income. Businesses offered for sale show net profits from about £15,000 on £85,000 of turnover to £142,000 on £285,000 for a commercial contract portfolio.

Question 4

Do you need a licence to start a gardening business in the UK?

Accepted Answer

No licence is needed to trade as a gardener or landscaper. A waste carrier registration is needed to carry customers' waste, and a pesticide certificate to spray professional products commercially.

Question 5

Do gardeners need a waste carrier licence?

Accepted Answer

Yes, to carry waste away from a customer's property. Green waste only needs a free lower-tier registration; construction waste such as old fences, slabs or hardcore needs an upper-tier registration, about £191 in England and £169 in Wales, renewed every three years.

Question 6

How much do gardeners charge per hour in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Published 2026 cost guides put gardeners at £25 to £45 an hour outside London and £35 to £60 in London, with regular fortnightly visits at £30 to £60 outside London. One guide gives a lower average of £14 to £25 an hour.

Question 7

Do gardeners need a qualification to spray weedkiller?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for professional pesticides used commercially. The PA1 theory unit and the PA6 hand-held unit are the usual route, with PA6G for granular lawn products, at about £350 to £650 for PA1 and PA6 together.

Question 8

How much can a self-employed gardener earn?

Accepted Answer

On illustrative figures, 24 visits a week at £45 brings in about £43,200 a year allowing for a quieter winter, leaving about £34,300 before tax after van, fuel, insurance, tipping and equipment costs.

Question 9

How much is insurance for a gardener?

Accepted Answer

One broker's 2026 data shows 10% of landscape gardeners paying £75.02 a year or less for £2 million of public liability, and an example quote of £117.09 a year including employers' liability and tools. Tree surgery usually needs separate cover.

Question 10

What gardening franchises are available in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Most are lawn care and weed control franchises. Lawnscience lists a total investment of £17,999 with no franchise fee, and Greensleeves lists £9,000 of liquid capital and a £14,995 plus VAT fee; Complete Weed Control and Greenthumb do not publish figures on their listings.

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