How much does hedge cutting cost in the UK?
Hedge cutting costs £120 on average in the UK. Most jobs fall between £60 and £600 for a standard trim. Hedge size: Small hedge £60 to £150, Medium hedge £120 to £300, Large or over 2m tall £250 to £600. Prices reviewed June 2026.
Hedge cutting usually costs between £60 and £600 in the UK, with most homeowners paying around £120 for a standard garden hedge. The price depends mainly on the length and height of the hedge, and whether you need the clippings taken away.
Hedge cutting cost calculator
Use the calculator to price your hedge cutting in 2026. Adjust the options and area for a UK cost range. Nothing is sent anywhere.
To price the whole job, use the tree removal cost calculator.
Hedge cutting cost breakdown
Typical hedge cutting costs, by option:
| Hedge size | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Small hedge, under 10m long | £60 to £150 |
| Medium hedge, 10 to 25m | £120 to £300 |
| Large or over 2m tall, incl. waste | £250 to £600 |
What's included in the price?
Typical hedge cutting prices include:
- Trimming the sides and top to a tidy, even shape
- A gardener, or two for bigger jobs, with trimmers and any access equipment
- Sheeting down to catch the clippings
- Clearing up and bagging the waste
- Taking the green waste away for disposal, often for a small extra fee
What changes the price?
The things that move hedge cutting prices most:
The length of the hedge
The height, and whether ladders or a platform are needed
How overgrown it is and the type of hedge
Whether green waste removal is included
Your region and how far the gardener travels
How the price is built up
The price is built from the time on site, the number of people needed, any access equipment for tall hedges, and the cost of disposing of the clippings at a green waste tip. Longer and taller hedges take more time and more disposal. Hedge cutting is almost entirely labour; there are no materials beyond fuel for the trimmers. The main add-on is the cost of tipping the green waste.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Book a regular trim once or twice a year so the hedge never gets overgrown and slow to cut
- Ask about keeping the clippings for your own compost or council green bin to avoid disposal fees
- Get a few neighbours done on the same visit to share the callout
Does where you live change the cost?
In London, hedge cutting typically costs around £160 for a standard trim, about 30% above the UK average of £120. In the North, Scotland and Wales the guide figure is nearer £110.
| Region | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midlands / East (UK average) | £60 | £120 | £600 |
| London | £80 | £160 | £780 |
| South East / South West | £70 | £140 | £690 |
| North / Scotland / Wales | £55 | £110 | £550 |
Guide prices for a standard trim, scaled with the same regional multipliers as the calculator. Not quotes.
Hedge cutting cost in major UK cities
| City | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | £50 | £100 | £510 |
| Birmingham | £60 | £120 | £590 |
| Bristol | £65 | £130 | £660 |
| Cardiff | £55 | £110 | £560 |
| Edinburgh | £60 | £120 | £590 |
| Glasgow | £55 | £110 | £540 |
| Leeds | £55 | £110 | £560 |
| Liverpool | £55 | £110 | £550 |
| London | £80 | £160 | £780 |
| Manchester | £60 | £120 | £580 |
| Newcastle | £55 | £110 | £540 |
| Sheffield | £55 | £110 | £550 |
City guide estimates, scaled by local labour costs. Indicative averages for hedge cutting, not quotes.
Gardeners in London and the South East charge the most, often £35 to £45 an hour; rates in the North, Wales and Scotland are typically £25 to £35.
Common questions
How much does hedge cutting cost in 2026?
Most UK homeowners pay around £120 to have a standard garden hedge trimmed. Prices run from about £60 for a small hedge up to £600 for a long or very tall one that needs access equipment and waste removal.
What affects the price of hedge cutting?
Mainly the length and height. Hedges over about 2m need ladders or a platform and take longer, and taking the clippings away adds a tipping fee. Thick or overgrown hedges such as leylandii also cost more than a light annual trim.
Is it worth paying someone to cut a hedge?
For a low, short hedge many people manage themselves. For anything tall, long or near power lines, a gardener is safer and quicker, and they clear the waste away, which is usually the biggest hassle of doing it yourself.
Can I cut my own hedge to save money?
Yes, for a small hedge you can trim it with a hired or bought trimmer for roughly £30 to £80. The catch is getting rid of the clippings and working safely at height, which is where a professional earns their fee.
How long does hedge cutting take?
A small garden hedge takes an hour or two. A long boundary hedge or a tall conifer hedge can take a full day for one or two people, usually done in a single visit.
Is there a cheaper alternative to regular hedge cutting?
Trimming lightly once or twice a year keeps ongoing costs low and stops the hedge getting expensive to tackle. Replacing an old, high-maintenance hedge with fencing costs more upfront but removes the yearly bill, though you lose the greenery and privacy a hedge gives.
These are independent guide prices based on typical UK jobs in 2026. Your actual cost depends on your property, spec, access and where you live. Always get at least three written quotes before committing.