Homeowners planning garden makeovers are being cautioned that common errors could result in repair bills approaching £57,000, according to experts. Luke Dejahang, outdoor living expert at Crown Pavilions, highlighted that many projects prioritize aesthetics over practicality, leading to expensive fixes and long-term maintenance issues.
Seven Costly Garden Mistakes to Avoid
Dejahang outlined seven frequent mistakes and their potential rectification costs, emphasizing that careful planning can prevent these expenses.
1. Installing Structures in the Wrong Place
Placing outdoor structures based solely on appearance often ignores factors like sunlight, wind, and privacy. Correcting this can cost between £2,000 and £5,000, covering dismantling, moving, rebuilding foundations, reconnecting electrics, and landscaping repairs.
2. Not Creating Shade
Gardens without shaded areas become uncomfortable in hot weather. Adding shade retrospectively—such as gazebos, trees, or canopies—can cost £1,500 to £4,000, including installation, new screening, and seating adjustments.
3. Choosing Cheaper Materials
Lower-quality materials deteriorate faster under weather exposure, leading to repairs. Replacing warped cladding, rotted timber, or rusted fixings may cost £1,000 to £5,000, plus re-staining or repainting.
4. Ignoring Soil Type and Quality
Poor drainage causes standing water, damaged paving, and structural issues. Fixing these problems—lifting paving, installing drainage, improving sub-base—can cost £2,000 to £8,000.
5. Not Considering Future Growth
Choosing plants based on current looks rather than future development often leads to excessive shade or damage. Pruning or removing trees and repairing paving may cost £500 to £5,000.
6. Designing for Trends
Copying fashionable designs like outdoor kitchens or oversized dining areas may not suit actual usage. Redesigning such spaces could cost up to £15,000, including removing underused features and reworking layouts.
7. Rushing into the Project
Starting work without understanding seasonal garden functions can lead to costly redesigns. Overall costs for correcting rushed work range from £5,000 to £15,000.
Dejahang noted, “People often spend months choosing colours, furniture and finishes, but only a few minutes thinking about where everything should go or how they’ll actually use the space over the next 10 or 20 years. The biggest costs usually don’t come from buying the garden items, they come from correcting mistakes that could have been avoided through better planning.”
