Find a local garden clearance professional

Garden Clearance specialists - what you need to know

Life's busy enough. So trim one of those more menial jobs from your to-do list and sign up a garden clearance professional. They'll have the tools, transport and expertise to clear your garden quickly and efficiently. And that'll leave you with more time for what's important, like actually spending time enjoying your garden.

The work is usually split into two phases: trimming and gathering up leaves, cuttings, and other waste, before disposing of it (preferably in the most environmentally friendly way possible).

Your garden clearance pro will usually perform the following services:

• Leaf clearance – sweeping or using a leaf blower to clear leaves from your garden.
• Gutter clearance – removing leaves, moss and other debris to help your gutters to work properly.
• Garden waste clearance – getting rid of grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, soil and weeds.
• General rubbish removal – removing rubbish and non-hazardous building waste.

Cost of garden clearance

The fees your garden clearance professional will charge may vary according to where you live, how much rubbish you need to have removed and the type of waste that’s being taken away.

If you're charged an hourly rate, you can expect to pay from £40 to £60 per hour. And if you're charged according to the size or weight of the waste, you can expect to pay:

• Up to 250 kg: £75–£125.
• Up to 500 kg: £150–£185.
• Up to 1,000 kg: £300–£350.

Garden clearance – what can be collected?

The good news is most waste and rubbish can be taken away by your garden clearance expert. Within reason, they'll be relatively unfussy and will do their best to help you.

Typically, garden clearance firms are happy to dispose of:

• Garden waste: leaves, small shrubs, weeds, twigs and branches, grass and soil.
• Wood: any remnants of an old garden shed, as well as gates, fencing and general timber.
• Furniture: old garden furniture, (subject to agreement) old sofas, beds and other home furnishings.
• Other home waste: boxes, books, clothes and bric-a-brac.
• Old appliances: washing machines, TVs, computers, printers, photocopiers and cookers.
• Building waste: bags of cement or plaster, plasterboard, tiles, pallets, windows, carpet and most other rubbish.

Garden clearance –what can’t be removed?

While garden clearance firms will try to remove all of your waste, there are certain items they won't be able to take away. Usually this is because the items can’t be recycled or disposed of easily, and (in some cases) because they are hazardous.

The list of items your garden clearance team may refuse to remove includes:

• Asbestos.
• Medical waste.
• Fuel, oil, petrol, and diesel.
• Paint cans, pressurised cannisters and gas bottles.
• Car batteries and tyres.
• Toxic chemicals or solvents.
• Fridges or larger appliances.

Some clearance firms may be able to remove the items listed above, but they might need a license to do so. You'll also usually be charged an additional fee, too.

The qualifications your tradesperson needs

Garden clearance doesn’t require any qualifications – formal or vocational. The most important thing to look for is experience, and evidence that they’re committed to delivering an excellent, thorough service.

Insurance your tradesperson needs

Your garden clearance professional should hold public liability insurance. In the unlikely event that your home or belongings are damaged when your rubbish is being taken away, you and your professional will be protected.

Questions you should ask your tradesperson

• Does their quote include the removal and disposal of waste?
• Do they need you to gather all your waste together, or will they do this?
• Is there anything they won’t remove?
• Do they charge by the hour, or by size and volume of the items to be cleared?