Garden clearance and waste removal with free local quotes
Tell us what needs to go from your garden and we will introduce you to up to 3 independent local providers who send free quotes. No obligation to accept.
- Free quotes, no obligation
- Green waste to old sheds
- Independent local clearance teams
Who usually needs a garden clearance
Garden clearance covers a wide range of situations, and the people who ask for it are just as varied. Some have simply lost the battle with brambles and long grass over a busy year. Others have inherited a neglected plot, moved into a property with an overgrown rear garden, or finally decided to deal with the pile behind the shed. Whatever the reason, there is no need to feel embarrassed. Local clearance teams see overgrown gardens every week and are used to starting from a very rough position.
Landlords and letting agents often need a garden tidied between tenancies so the property can be shown and re-let. Sellers frequently want the front and back gardens cleared before photographs are taken or viewings begin, because a tidy outdoor space makes a home feel larger and better cared for. Homeowners planning a new patio, lawn or extension may need old turf, slabs and borders removed first. Those helping with a bereaved relative's property may need the garden dealt with alongside the house itself.
Demand is seasonal. Spring and early summer are busy, as people look at their gardens again after winter, and autumn brings hedge trimmings, leaves and fallen branches. Popular weekends can book up, so asking for quotes early gives you more choice of dates. A garden clearance can also be arranged in quieter months, when some providers have more flexibility. If you need the work finished by a set date, such as an exchange or a tenancy end, say so on your request.
What a garden clearance team can take away
The core of most jobs is green waste: hedge and shrub cuttings, branches, weeds, brambles, leaves and grass. Many teams will also cut back growth that has taken over a border so that the waste can be loaded. Beyond plants, garden clearance often includes old furniture such as rusting tables and chairs, broken plant pots, rotten planters, water butts, barbecues, washing lines and rotary dryers. Sheds, greenhouses and decking can usually be dismantled and removed too, though larger structures are a different job from a simple tidy.
Children's items are another frequent request. Trampolines, climbing frames, swings, slides, paddling pools and play houses all take up space and can be awkward to break down. Fencing is equally common: broken panels, leaning posts, trellis, old gates and gravel boards. A provider may ask whether the posts are set in concrete, since that affects how much effort and waste is involved. Mention anything unusual when you ask for quotes, such as a pond liner, a hot tub or a large stack of old timber.
What happens to the waste afterwards depends on the provider and on what is being removed. Green waste is often taken to a site that composts it. Usable timber, metal and furniture can sometimes be reused or recycled, and serviceable items may go to a reuse outlet. Whatever cannot be reused is taken to a licensed disposal site. Hazardous items such as paint, solvents, gas bottles, batteries and fluorescent tubes need special handling, so tell the providers about them in advance rather than leaving them hidden in a shed.
Gardens usually come with outbuildings and leftover materials. Our guides to garage & shed clearance and builders' waste clearance cover those, and full house clearance covers emptying the house itself.
Access, parking and working safely
Access is one of the biggest practical questions on any garden job. If your property has a side gate or a clear passage to the back, a team can carry waste straight out to the vehicle. If the only route is through the house, they will need to bring everything past your floors, walls and furniture, which takes longer and needs more care. Tell the providers how wide the gate is, whether there are steps, and whether the route is shared with neighbours, so that their quotes reflect the real conditions.
Parking matters too. A clearance vehicle or skip lorry needs somewhere to stop close to the property for loading. On a narrow street, a busy road or a spot with restrictions, the team may need to arrange a permit, or place cones, or work in shorter loads. Check whether your road has parking limits and let the provider know early. If a skip needs to stand on a public road, the arrangements are usually handled with the local council, and your provider can explain what is involved.
Safety deserves attention before anyone starts. Overgrown gardens can hide broken glass, sharp metal, old tools, wasps' nests and uneven ground. Walk the garden if you can and point out hazards, buried pipes, cables and any area that should be left alone. Keep children and pets indoors on the day. Old sheds, garages and roofing sheets can contain asbestos, and this must never be broken, drilled or disturbed. If you suspect it, stop and ask a licensed specialist to assess it first.
Soil, rubble, slabs and other heavy waste
Not all garden waste is equal. A pile of light hedge cuttings fills a vehicle quickly but weighs little, while a few bags of soil, broken slabs or old bricks can be very heavy. Because of this, rubble, soil, turf, concrete and paving are often treated differently from green waste, and some providers charge for them differently or will only take limited amounts in a standard visit. Always list these materials separately when you ask for quotes so that you are not surprised later.
Heavy waste also tends to have its own disposal route. Clean soil, hardcore and masonry may be sorted separately from general waste at the disposal site, and mixing them with other material can change how it is handled. A provider who says they will take everything together may still need to sort it afterwards. If you are unsure what a pile contains, describe it honestly, and send photographs where the form allows. Contaminated soil, or anything with plastics, wiring or chemicals in it, can be treated differently again.
Think about the work involved too. Lifting patio slabs, breaking up a concrete base, digging out old turf or removing a deck frame is physically demanding and takes time, even before loading begins. A team may also need extra equipment. Where a job is mostly heavy materials, a skip can sometimes make more sense than a team loading a van repeatedly, and some providers will advise you on this. Be clear about whether you want the base or foundations lifted, or only the surface items taken away.
Invasive plants, wildlife and nesting birds
Some plants cannot be treated like ordinary green waste. Japanese knotweed is the best known example: it spreads from tiny fragments, can damage hard surfaces, and needs to be dealt with by specialists who know how to remove and dispose of it correctly. If you suspect it, do not strim, dig or bag it yourself, and do not ask a general clearance team to simply cut it back. Photograph it and ask a specialist contractor to identify it. Other invasive species can also carry rules about how they are moved and disposed of.
Wildlife is the next consideration. Birds nest in hedges, shrubs and dense undergrowth, mostly in spring and summer, and active nests are protected. If you plan to cut back a hedge or clear thick growth in the warmer months, check first for signs of nesting, and be ready to wait or to leave that area alone. A responsible provider will ask about this. Hedgehogs, toads and small mammals can also shelter in leaf piles, compost heaps and old timber, so work carefully when disturbing them.
Seasonal timing is therefore not only about availability. Late autumn and winter are often the easiest times to cut back hedges and clear dense growth, because nesting is less likely, although you should still check. Ponds, bat roosts and other protected features may need separate advice from a local ecologist or wildlife organisation. If you are unsure, say so when you request quotes. A good provider would rather pause and check than carry on and cause harm or create a problem for you afterwards.
Skip or clearance team, and what to check in a quote
There are two common ways to remove garden waste. A skip is delivered and left on site while you fill it yourself, which suits people who are happy to do the lifting over a few days. A clearance team does the loading and takes everything away in one visit, which suits people who cannot lift, have limited time or want a garden finished quickly. A skip can look cheaper at first glance but does not include labour, and you must make sure it is not overfilled or loaded with banned items.
When quotes arrive, compare what each one includes rather than only the headline figure. Check whether the quote covers cutting and sorting as well as loading, whether heavy waste such as soil and rubble is included, how disposal is handled, and whether there are extra charges for access difficulties. Prices vary because of the volume, weight, access, time required and disposal costs involved. A quote based on photographs or a visit is usually more reliable than one given over the phone with little detail.
Finally, check the provider. Anyone removing waste for a fee should be a registered waste carrier. In England this is regulated by the Environment Agency, with SEPA in Scotland, Natural Resources Wales and NIEA in Northern Ireland. Ask for the licence number and check it on the public register. As a householder you have a duty of care, so ask for a waste transfer note or receipt. Ask for proof of insurance, and be wary of anyone who knocks unexpectedly or refuses to put the quote in writing.
Providers cover different postcode areas, so browse the areas we cover to see local information, or enter your full postcode in the quote form at the top of this page.
What affects the cost of garden clearance
Prices are set by each local provider, so we do not publish fixed figures. These are the things that move a quote up or down. Compare up to 3 free quotes to see a fair price for your job.
- The volume of waste, and how many loads it will take to clear.
- Weight: soil, turf, slabs and rubble are heavy and often charged differently.
- Access: a side gate is easier than carrying everything through the house.
- Cutting, digging or dismantling needed before anything can be loaded.
- Parking, permits and distance from the vehicle to the garden.
- Disposal costs, including hazardous items and waste needing separate handling.
Our transparency promise: quotes are free and come direct from the providers. We don't add fees to your price, and you're never obliged to accept.
FAQs: garden clearance
What does a garden clearance usually include?
Most garden clearances cover green waste such as hedge and branch cuttings, weeds and brambles, plus unwanted items like old furniture, broken fencing, sheds and play equipment. Some teams also cut back growth first. Scope varies between providers, so list everything you want removed and check what each quote includes before you accept.
Is soil and rubble charged differently from green waste?
Often, yes. Soil, turf, slabs, bricks and concrete are heavy and may need separate disposal, so providers can price them differently or limit how much they take in one visit. Mention them clearly when you ask for quotes, and send photographs if you can, so the figures you receive are realistic.
Can I get rid of Japanese knotweed through a garden clearance?
Not through an ordinary clearance. Japanese knotweed needs specialist treatment and controlled disposal, and cutting or digging it can spread it. Do not strim or bag it yourself. If you suspect it, photograph it and ask a specialist contractor to identify and deal with it before any general clearing begins.
Can the work be done if birds are nesting in my hedge?
Active nests are protected, so cutting back a hedge during nesting season needs care. Check carefully before work begins and be prepared to wait or to leave that section alone. A responsible provider will ask about this. Late autumn and winter are often easier times for heavy cutting back.
Should I hire a skip or a clearance team?
A skip suits people who are happy to load it themselves over several days. A clearance team does the lifting and takes everything away in one visit, which helps if you have limited time or mobility. Compare what is included, as a skip does not cover labour, and consider access and parking.
How do I check a provider is allowed to take my waste?
Anyone removing waste for a fee should be a registered waste carrier. Ask for their licence number and check it on the public register for your area, such as the Environment Agency in England. Ask for a waste transfer note or receipt, and ask for proof of insurance before you agree to anything.
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Providers cover different postcode areas. Pick your nearest area to see local information, or use the form at the top of this page and enter your full postcode.