How Much Does a Garden Renovation Cost in Ireland?

If you have searched for garden renovation costs, you have probably found UK figures in pounds or out-of-date Irish figures. Neither reflects how LandArt actually prices a renovation. We don't carry out hard landscaping as a standalone job: it's always part of a complete garden build, delivered alongside a full planting scheme. This guide sets out our current 2026 Irish euro figures by project type, and explains what drives the price within each. It is written by LandArt, a Dublin design-build garden practice that prices and delivers renovations across the city.

Garden Renovation Cost: Two Project Types

Every renovation we quote falls into one of two categories. Which one suits you depends on whether your garden needs new hard landscaping, or simply a refreshed planting scheme.

1. Design, Build & Planting Projects

A full renovation combining hard landscaping (patios, decking, walls, steps) with a complete planting scheme. We always deliver these two together, never hard landscaping on its own.

2. Planting-Only Projects

A renovation focused entirely on planting, borders and lawns, with no hard landscaping involved.

What Drives the Cost of a Garden Renovation?

• 1
  Garden Size Larger gardens need more materials, planting and labour, which scales the overall project cost.
• 2
  Extent of Hard Landscaping For design, build and planting projects, paving, walls, steps and structures are the biggest cost driver: more hard landscaping means a higher project cost.
• 3
  Material Quality Natural stone, porcelain and premium timber cost more than concrete or budget paving.
• 4
  Groundworks and Access Levelling, drainage and difficult access (no side entrance, city-centre sites) all add cost. For gardens with drainage issues, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) can improve water management while helping reduce surface water runoff.
• 5
  Features Water features, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, lighting and bespoke elements all add to the total.
• 6
  Planting The size and maturity of plants, and the extent of the planting scheme, affects the final price in both project types.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Renovate a Garden?

If budget is a priority, there are a few ways to keep a renovation cost-effective:

• Consider a planting-only project: if your existing hard landscaping is in good condition, a planting-led renovation from €2,000 can transform the garden without the cost of new build work.
• Phase the work: renovate in stages over time rather than all at once, spreading the cost.
• Choose the smaller design, build & planting band that fits your garden: a well-designed courtyard scheme delivers a complete transformation from €10,000.
• Choose materials wisely: mid-range paving well laid looks better than premium stone badly laid.
• Design once, build well: a professional design avoids costly mistakes and rework, which is where DIY renovations often overspend.

For many gardens, a planting-only renovation is the most budget-friendly genuine transformation: fresh borders, lawn and structure planting, done well, without any hard landscaping cost. Getting the design right first is what makes a modest budget go furthest, whichever project type you choose.

Design-Build vs Hiring Separately: The Cost Impact

One decision has a real effect on both cost and outcome: whether to hire a designer and a separate contractor, or use a single design-build practice. Hiring separately can mean paying twice for site visits, gaps between plan and build, expensive changes when the contractor interprets the design differently, and no single point of accountability. A design-build practice like LandArt coordinates everything under one team, which is more efficient, more predictable on cost, and avoids the disputes that inflate separately-managed projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much does it cost to renovate a garden in Ireland?

  With LandArt, a garden renovation falls into one of two project types. A design, build and planting renovation, combining new hard landscaping with a full planting scheme, typically costs €10,000–€200,000 depending on garden size: €10,000–€50,000 for a small courtyard, €20,000–€90,000 for a small/medium garden, or €40,000–€200,000 for a large garden. A planting-only renovation, with no hard landscaping, starts from €2,000 and can run up to €150,000.
• What is the cheapest way to renovate a garden?

  The cheapest effective way to renovate a garden is often a planting-only project, starting from €2,000, if your existing hard landscaping doesn't need replacing. Where hard landscaping is needed, choosing the smallest design, build and planting band that fits your garden, phasing the work over time, and getting the design right first all help stretch a budget further.
• Do you offer hard landscaping like patios or decking on its own?

  No. LandArt only carries out hard landscaping, such as patios, decking and walls, as part of a complete design, build and planting project. We don't quote or install hard landscaping as a standalone job. If you don't need any hard landscaping, our planting-only projects cover borders, lawns and soft landscaping without any build work.
• How much does a garden design cost on its own?

  CLIENT TO CONFIRM: add your design fee, or how the design stage is charged and whether it is credited against the build. This is one of the most common follow-up questions on a cost page and is currently unanswered.
• Is a garden renovation worth the money?

  Yes. A professional garden renovation adds usable outdoor living space, improves your enjoyment of your home, and can add value to the property: especially in Dublin where outdoor space is prized. A design-led renovation also lasts far longer and looks better than piecemeal changes, making it good long-term value.

Last updated: September 2026