Hiring garden maintenance: agree the right scope
A small garden can still need a lot of care. Dense borders, tall hedges and long access routes involve different work from an open lawn. Describe the areas to be maintained, their condition and the result you want.
What does garden maintenance include?
Maintenance can cover mowing, border care, weeding, pruning, leaf clearance and watering. The agreement determines what is actually included. A mowing job does not automatically cover reseeding or maintaining every flower bed.
Major tree work, extensive clearance, new paving and repairs to technical installations need separate assessment and pricing. A pond also calls for different expertise from a lawn. If several specialisms are involved, check which work the contractor handles directly.
| Area | Useful information for a quote |
|---|---|
| Lawns and borders | Approximate area needing care, vegetation and requested tasks. |
| Hedges and shrubs | Length, height, access and the intended pruning. |
| Potted plants and holiday care | Number and type of plants, water access and care period. |
| Green waste | Removal, available bins or suitable reuse on site. |
A single visit or regular care?
A one-off visit can suit seasonal pruning, leaf clearance or a specific maintenance need. Regular care lets you hand over recurring jobs. The plan should follow plants, growth and the seasons rather than repeat the same tasks at every visit.
If the garden has been neglected, describe the initial recovery visit separately. Its cost is not necessarily representative of later visits. Conversely, a low price for routine maintenance does not automatically cover initial cutting back and disposal.
How are garden maintenance costs calculated?
Work may be charged by the hour, by defined task or as a fixed package with an agreed scope. Hourly work counts each person’s time: two people working for three hours means six labour hours. Ask whether travel and machinery are extra.
For context, two published Swiss rate lists for 2025 and 2026 show CHF 85–99 per person-hour for gardeners or qualified customer-maintenance gardeners, excluding VAT. These are individual observations, not a national market range. They are not interchangeable with basic garden help, specialist work or the total cost of a visit.
- Compare extras. Allow for equipment, materials, green waste, travel and any minimum visit length.
- Compare fixed packages. Specify the number and type of visits, areas, included work and how extras are handled.
- Agree a cost limit. For uncertain work, agree an allowance and consultation before additional work starts.
A well-maintained garden can look different
A wildflower meadow, play lawn and perennial border need different care. Agree which areas should stay short and clear and where seed heads, leaves or sheltered areas can remain. This prevents a natural garden being treated as an ornamental one by mistake.
Pruning dates depend on the plants and conditions. Occupied nests and other wildlife need considering before work on dense growth. Identifying unwanted plants also helps choose an approach: not every self-seeded plant needs removing, and not all cut material is suitable for a domestic compost heap.
Clarify access, water and waste
Narrow gates, stairs and slopes affect which equipment can be used and how materials are carried. Flag these early. For watering tasks, the contractor needs to know where water is available and whether all plants can be reached.
Agree what happens to cut material. Bins have limited capacity; additional waste does not automatically include free removal. Specify how the garden should be left too: paths clear, loose cuttings collected and equipment put away.
What should a maintenance plan contain?
A clear plan lists areas, tasks, intended frequency and responsibilities. It can allow weather-related changes while keeping the agreed standard in view. For holiday cover, precise dates and a reachable contact are particularly useful.
Before agreeing ongoing care, check the term, billing and changes to the scope. Record what you will still do yourself. A short record of visits helps you follow the work and adapt the plan as your needs change.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an annual contract?
No. You can request a one-off visit or recurring care. What matters is the scope agreed with your chosen contractor.
Is the total plot area enough for a quote?
Only to a limited extent. The areas actually needing maintenance and the tasks matter more. A plot largely occupied by buildings and patios does not require the same work as an equally large, densely planted garden.
Can I keep doing some jobs myself?
Yes. Split the tasks clearly, for example mowing yourself while the contractor looks after pruning and borders. This avoids work being priced twice or overlooked.
Is a site visit necessary?
An initial estimate may be possible for a clearly defined task. For mixed, heavily overgrown or regularly maintained gardens, a site visit helps establish a more reliable scope and cost.
