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How much does a gardener cost on average?

Average Price
$20 - $30 per hour

How much do Gardeners charge?

Want to take care of your garden but don’t have time to do it yourself? It’s time to call in an expert! Read on to find out how much you’ll pay for a gardener based on your garden size, the type of job and your location.

Do I need a gardener?

Whether you’re a city dweller or a country lover, everyone can benefit from a beautiful garden. But with life getting in the way, it’s not always easy to keep our green spaces up to scratch.

Why not put the trowel down and call in a gardener instead? They’ll have the expertise to create a stunning green space that you can enjoy without having to lift a finger!

Whether you’re looking to increase the potential of your current space or get to the bottom of some much-needed weeding, a professional gardener will be able to get the job done quickly and to a high standard.

How much does a gardener charge?

When pricing garden work, it's important to understand that gardens come in all shapes and sizes, so costs vary. To make life a little easier, we've researched the average cost for a gardener in Canada, which is detailed below:

Average cost (per hour) $20 - $30
Minimum cost (per hour) $14.80
Maximum cost (per hour) $50

Understanding how much you should pay a gardener per hour helps you budget accurately and compare quotes. The average cost for a gardener falls between $20-$30 per hour, but this can vary based on experience level, location, and the complexity of work required.

What changes the cost of a gardener?

When pricing garden work, several factors influence the final cost. However, the main factors affecting how much a garden service costs are:

  • Garden size 

  • Type of work 

  • Location 

Garden size 

The size of your garden will have the biggest impact on how much the garden service will cost for your project. A larger area requires more labour time, as well as more materials, which will inevitably increase costs. But it’s not all doom and gloom if you have a big garden! Many gardeners will charge less per square metre for a bigger garden.

Type of work 

The number of gardening jobs out there seems to be never-ending! From hedge trimming, patio or decking washing, landscaping, clearance, the list goes on. The average cost for a gardener varies considerably based on the complexity and time required for each job. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular gardening services and the costs you can expect:

Gardening serviceAverage cost (per hour)
Hedging $57.50
General maintenance $25
Weed removal $30
Mowing $60

Location 

Location significantly affects how much a garden service would cost. Gardeners set different rates depending on where you live. Here's a rough overview of the average cost for a gardener per hour across different locations in Canada:

CityAverage price (per hour)
Montreal$24
Toronto$22
Vancouver$24
Calgary $18.50
ProvinceAverage price (per hour)
Ontario$65 – $90
British Columbia$55 – $85
Alberta$45 – $75
Quebec$40 – $70
Saskatchewan$35 – $60
Manitoba$35 – $60
Atlantic Canada$30 – $55

How to save money on gardening services:

You don’t need an endless budget to enjoy having a gardener! There are ways to make it affordable if you’re on a budget. Read on to find out more: 

  • Use recycled materials - Some professionals source the materials for you, some don’t. If you want to save money, sourcing your own recycled materials could be a cheaper option than getting them from a garden centre or asking your professional to get them for you. Keep an eye out for garage sales, charity shops, and online ads to find garden materials including anything from plant pots to old tools. Getting creative means you can use a lot of old materials in a new way!

  • Be clear about hidden costs – Don’t shy away from asking about hidden costs. A lot of gardeners charge an additional price for services that you may think are included in the general price. For example, waste disposal often isn’t included in the general fee. A cheaper option could be to remove the waste yourself using a local waste collection service.

  • Think about long-term maintenance - If you want to avoid paying for a regular gardening service, ask your gardener to advise you on the best options for a low-maintenance garden. For instance, a lot of homes now have artificial grass installed to avoid regular mowing services.

Get your garden in shape the hassle-free way - find a trusted gardener on Bark!

FAQs

How much does a garden service cost for regular maintenance?

How much the garden service costs depends on the frequency and scope of maintenance required. For regular weekly or bi-weekly garden maintenance in Canada, expect to pay $80-$120 per visit for an average-sized garden (up to 500 square metres). This typically includes mowing, edging, weeding and general tidying. Monthly maintenance services are slightly more expensive per visit at $120-$180, as there's more accumulated work. The average cost for a gardener on a regular maintenance contract is often 10-15% lower than one-off visits, as gardeners prefer consistent work. Most professionals require a minimum service time of 2-3 hours per visit to make the job economically viable.

What factors should I consider when pricing garden work?

When pricing garden work, consider multiple factors beyond just hourly rates. Key considerations include: the current state of your garden (overgrown gardens cost more initially), access and terrain (sloped or hard-to-reach areas increase costs), disposal fees (waste removal often costs $50-$150 extra), materials and supplies (provided by you or the gardener), equipment requirements (specialized tools increase costs), and seasonal timing (spring and fall are peak seasons with potentially higher rates). Understanding these factors helps you accurately assess how much a garden service costs for your specific needs. Request itemized quotes that break down labour, materials, and disposal costs separately so you can compare pricing garden work from different providers accurately.

Is the average cost for a gardener worth it compared to DIY?

The average cost for a gardener of $20-$30 per hour is often worthwhile when you consider time savings, expertise and results. Calculate the value of your own time: if a professional completes in 3 hours what would take you 8 hours, you're paying $60-$90 for 5 hours of your time back. Gardeners also bring specialized knowledge (proper pruning techniques, seasonal plant care, pest management) that prevents costly mistakes. They own professional-grade equipment that would cost hundreds to purchase yourself. However, for simple tasks like basic mowing or weeding small areas, DIY might be more economical. When pricing garden work, consider paying professionals for complex tasks (hedge shaping, tree pruning, landscape design) while handling simple maintenance yourself. This hybrid approach balances cost with quality results.

Does the average cost for a gardener include equipment and supplies?

Whether the average cost for a gardener includes equipment and supplies varies by provider. Most professional gardeners charging $20-$30 per hour include basic equipment (mower, trimmer, hedge clippers, rakes) in their rate. However, when pricing garden work that requires specialized equipment (pressure washers, chainsaws, aerators), expect either higher hourly rates ($40-$50) or equipment rental fees ($25-$75 per visit). Supplies like fertilizers, mulch, plants, soil amendments, and weed treatments are typically NOT included in hourly rates. When asking how much you should pay a gardener per hour, always clarify what's included. Some gardeners offer "all-inclusive" packages at higher rates ($35-$45 per hour) that cover common supplies, while others charge separately for materials. Request itemized quotes showing labour separate from supplies for the clearest picture of total costs.

How can I get accurate quotes when pricing garden work?

To get accurate quotes when pricing garden work, start by using a service like Bark where you can submit one detailed request and receive multiple quotes from local gardeners. When submitting your request, provide detailed information about your garden size (measured in square metres), share photos of current conditions and specific problem areas, list all tasks you need completed (be specific about expectations), indicate your preferred frequency (one-off, monthly, weekly), and mention any access restrictions or special requirements. Ask about what's included (equipment, disposal, materials) to accurately compare how much the garden service costs from different providers. Request property visits for assessment rather than relying on phone estimates. Clarify whether quotes are hourly or flat-rate, and confirm whether that the cost includes all labour, equipment and disposal. With Bark, you can easily compare written quotes with clear breakdowns from multiple verified gardeners, read reviews from previous customers, and make an informed decision without the hassle of contacting providers individually.

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