Landscapers in Durham
From a new patio to a full garden rebuild, a good landscaper in Durham will also know when the work needs permission. We can introduce you to one vetted landscaper who covers your property in Durham.
Beatrice Vasey is a horticulturist, not a landscaping company. We introduce you to one vetted landscaper and are paid a referral fee by that business.
Permissions for garden work in Durham
- Planning
- Planning applications in Durham are decided by Durham County Council. In England, paving a front garden doesn't need planning permission if the surface is permeable or drains to a lawn or border; more than 5 m² of impermeable paving does.
- Dropped kerbs
- Durham County Council checks vehicle access requests and sends a list of registered contractors; only they can do the work, and you pay for a licence before it starts.
- Fences and walls
- Fences, walls and gates can be up to 2 m high without planning permission, or 1 m next to a road used by vehicles or its footpath. In the grounds of a listed building, they need permission.
- Conservation areas
- Permitted development rights are narrower in conservation areas, and councils can remove them with an Article 4 direction, so check with the council if your home is in one.
- Trees
- Digging near a protected tree's roots can need consent too. Find TPOs and trees in conservation areas on Durham County Council's map, though it isn't the legal document; Planning is on 03000 262 830.
Common landscaping jobs and costs
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Landscaper day rate | About £200 to £400 per person; £300 to £450 in London and the South East |
| Patio | Materials about £40 to £100 per m², plus about £20 to £40 per m² to lay |
| Laying turf | About £11 to £15 per m² |
| Artificial grass | About £50 to £90 per m²; £65 to £110 in London and the South East |
| Fencing | About £110 to £120 per metre, or £200 to £220 per panel |
| Driveway | Resin about £60 to £120 per m²; block paving £115 to £175 per m² |
| Raised beds | Timber 2 m × 1 m about £60 to £300; brick £250 to £500 |
| Whole garden | Small about £2,500 to £8,000; medium £8,000 to £25,000; large £25,000 to £45,000 or more |
Typical prices from published cost guides. Your landscaper quotes for your property.
Your landscaper in Durham
We pass each Durham enquiry to one vetted landscaper who covers your property. You get an email naming them before your details are shared, and they quote you directly. We are paid a referral fee by that business, as set out in how our partner network works.
We also arrange landscaping in Newcastle upon Tyne, York and Leeds.
In Durham we can also introduce you to specialists for Japanese knotweed treatment, bat surveys, ecological surveys, tree surveys and tree surgery, all listed on our Durham page.
Landscapers questions in Durham
Do I need planning permission to pave my front garden in Durham?
In England, paving a front garden doesn't need planning permission if the surface is permeable or drains to a lawn or border; more than 5 m² of impermeable paving does.
Do I need permission for a dropped kerb in Durham?
Yes. Durham County Council checks vehicle access requests and sends a list of registered contractors; only they can do the work, and you pay for a licence before it starts.
How high can a garden fence be in Durham?
Fences, walls and gates can be up to 2 m high without planning permission, or 1 m next to a road used by vehicles or its footpath. In the grounds of a listed building, they need permission.
Can the landscaper do the planting as well in Durham?
Usually, yes. Most landscapers plant as part of the job, so include the planting in your brief and ask for a plant list with the quote, so you can check the plants suit your soil and light.
Get a landscaping quote in Durham
Tell us about your garden and the job. Beatrice reads every enquiry.