Hedge Removal Cost Guide for the UK

Quick cost overview

• Small hedges (up to 1.5m) typically cost £100-£300 to remove
• Large hedges (over 3m) typically cost £400-£600+ to remove
• Root removal adds £50-£200 on top of the standard removal cost
• Waste disposal is often charged separately

In this Price Guide we will talk about:

1. Hedge Removal Cost Breakdown
2. Cost to Remove Different Types of Hedge
3. What Affects the Cost of Hedge Removal?
4. Hedge Root and Stump Removal Costs
5. When Is the Best Time to Remove a Hedge?
6. How to Save Money on Hedge Removal
7. Find Gardeners on MyBuilder
8. FAQ: Common Questions About Hedge Removal Costs

Hedge Removal Cost Breakdown

Hedge removal costs are primarily driven by size. The taller and longer the hedge, the more labour and time is involved, and if mechanical equipment like a mini-excavator or cherry picker is needed, that adds to the bill. Most gardeners charge either a day rate of £150-£300 or a fixed price per job, and the majority of standard hedge removals take between half a day and two full days to complete.

Costs to remove a hedge depending on size:

Hedge Size	Typical Removal Cost
Small hedge (up to 1.5m tall)	£100-£300
Medium hedge (1.5m–3m tall)	£300-£400
Large hedge (over 3m tall)	£400-£600+

If your hedge borders a road or neighbouring property, expect additional time and cost for managing access and debris. Always ask for a fully itemised quote that separates labour, disposal, and any equipment hire from a local gardener.

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Cost to Remove Different Types of Hedge

The species of hedge you're dealing with is one of the biggest factors in the final price. Different hedges grow at different rates, develop different root systems, and require different approaches to remove safely.

Leylandii Hedge Removal Cost

Leylandii is one of the most common and most challenging hedges to remove in the UK. It grows up to a metre a year, quickly developing a dense, woody structure and an extensive root system that often requires mechanical assistance to extract. Expect to pay £300-£600+ for Leylandii removal depending on height and length. For larger Leylandii jobs, a wood chipper and skip will likely be needed - see our skip hire cost guide for what to budget for waste removal.

Conifer Hedge Removal Cost

Conifer hedges broadly share the same removal challenges as Leylandii - fast growth, dense wood, and deep roots. The cost of removing a conifer hedge typically falls between £250-£500 for a standard garden run, rising for taller or longer sections. As with Leylandii, the older and more established the hedge, the more labour and equipment is likely to be needed.

Privet Hedge Removal Cost

Privet is one of the most common garden hedges in the UK and is generally more straightforward to remove than conifers or Leylandii. Its root system, while established in older hedges, tends to be shallower and less dense. The cost to remove a privet hedge typically ranges from £150-£400 depending on size and length.

Beech and Hornbeam Hedge Removal Cost

Beech and hornbeam hedges are slower-growing than privet or Leylandii but develop substantial woody stems and lateral root systems over time.

Removal typically costs £200-£450 for a standard garden hedge. These species are often found in older properties and may require stump grinding if the root system is particularly established.

What Affects the Cost of Hedge Removal?

Several factors affect hedge removal costs, and for this type of job, the variation between quotes can be significant. A Leylandii hedge with no side access will cost considerably more to remove than a privet hedge on an open driveway, even if they're the same length.

Factors that affect cost:

Size and height - the most significant factor. Taller hedges require ladders or elevated equipment, and longer runs mean more labour hours and more waste to dispose of.

Type of hedge - fast-growing species like Leylandii develop deep, extensive root systems that take considerably longer to remove than a younger privet or beech hedge. Mature, woody hedges may require stump grinding or mechanical excavation.

Access - if a gardener can't get equipment directly to the hedge, costs rise. A back garden with no side access, steps, or a narrow gate will add to the labour time. In some cases, skips cannot be positioned close enough, which increases manual handling time.

Root removal - removing the hedge above ground is one cost; extracting the root system is another. Deep or spreading roots significantly add to both time and equipment needs.

Location - gardeners in London and the South East typically charge around 20% more than those in northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, reflecting local labour rates.

Waste disposal - green waste needs to go somewhere. Some gardeners include disposal in their quote; others charge separately. Always confirm this before work begins.

Every hedge removal job is different, the only way to get a price you can rely on is to have a gardener assess it in person.

Post your job on MyBuilder and local gardeners will get in touch with quotes based on your specific hedge, access, and requirements.

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Hedge Root and Stump Removal Costs

Root and stump removal is often the most labour-intensive part of the job and the element most likely to be underestimated in an initial quote. For smaller, younger hedges, roots may be shallow enough to pull by hand. For established hedges - particularly conifers, mature Leylandii, and old privet - root systems can spread wide and go deep, requiring mechanical assistance.

Hedge stump removal typically costs £50-£150 per stump, depending on size and depth. For a long hedge run, stump grinding is usually more cost-effective than individual extraction. Root removal as part of a full hedge removal job typically adds £50-£200 to the overall cost, though for a large hedge with an extensive root system the figure can be higher.

The method used depends on the root depth and density:

• Manual extraction using a spade, mattock, and crowbar - suitable for younger or smaller hedges
• Stump grinding - effective for larger woody stumps where full root extraction isn't required
• Mini-excavator - the most efficient option for large or deep root systems; hire costs around £50-£120 per day on top of labour
• Reciprocating saw - used to cut through thick, stubborn lateral roots before extraction If you're planning to replant, lay turf, or pave the area after removal, full root extraction is worth the extra cost, leaving roots in the ground can cause problems with drainage and ground stability over time. For related costs, see our garden weeding cost guide.

When Is the Best Time to Remove a Hedge?

Late autumn and early winter are generally the best times to remove a hedge in the UK. Plants are dormant during this period, which means less vigorous regrowth from any remaining roots, less disruption to surrounding plants, and a lower risk of disturbing nesting birds. From March to August, hedge removal is restricted in many cases under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which protects active bird nests.

Removing a hedge during the nesting season without first checking for birds can result in a fine. If your hedge removal needs to happen between spring and summer, ask your gardener to carry out a nesting check before work begins.

Winter work is also easier on the surrounding garden - frozen or firm ground reduces the risk of machinery churning up lawn areas, and dormant hedges are easier to cut back without the dense foliage of the growing season.

How to Save Money on Hedge Removal

Hedge removal is one of those jobs where the price can vary significantly depending on who you hire, when you book, and how well you prepare. A little planning before you get quotes can make a meaningful difference to the final bill.

• Get multiple quotes: Hedge removal prices vary more than most garden jobs because the cost depends heavily on the species, root depth, and access to your specific site. Getting three quotes gives you a realistic picture of the going rate and makes it easier to spot a quote that's missing waste disposal or root extraction.
• Know your hedge before you call: The more information you can give a gardener upfront, the more accurate the quote will be. Note the approximate height, length, and species if you know it, whether there's side access for equipment, and what you want done with the roots. Vague briefs lead to vague quotes that can change on the day.
• Bundle services together: If you have other garden work to do alongside the removal, clearing overgrowth, laying new turf, or installing replacement fencing, combining it into a single job often reduces the overall cost. Many gardeners offer better rates for larger bookings.
• Book in winter: Demand for gardening services drops between November and February, and some gardeners offer more competitive rates during the off-season. It's also the best time to remove a hedge, when plants are dormant and the risk of disturbing nesting birds is at its lowest.

Find Gardeners on MyBuilder

Getting an accurate quote for hedge removal means finding a gardener who can actually see the hedge, size, access, root depth, and proximity to neighbouring properties all affect the price in ways that are hard to assess remotely.

On MyBuilder, you post your job once and receive responses from available local gardeners who can visit the site and quote accurately. You can then review their profiles, read customer reviews, and browse photos of completed projects before deciding who to contact.

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FAQs: Common Questions About Hedge Removal Costs

Do I Need Planning Permission To Remove A Hedge?

In most cases, no. Planning permission is not required to remove a garden hedge. However, there are exceptions. If your property is in a conservation area, or if the hedge is covered by a Tree Preservation Order or a specific condition in your planning permission, you may need consent before removing it. It's worth checking with your local council if you're unsure. You should also inform your neighbour before removing any hedge that forms a shared boundary.

How Long Does Hedge Removal Take?

A small hedge typically takes half a day to a full day to remove. Larger hedges, or those requiring root extraction and mechanical equipment, can take one to two days.

The timeline depends on the size and density of the hedge, access to the site, and whether a wood chipper or excavator is being used. When you post your job on MyBuilder, you can ask local gardeners directly about their availability and expected timelines before deciding who to hire.

Is It Worth Removing a Hedge Rather Than Trimming It?

If a hedge has become significantly overgrown, is encroaching on a neighbour's property, or is blocking light to the point where it can't be brought back under control through trimming alone, removal is often the more practical and cost-effective long-term solution. Regular trimming of an out-of-control hedge can cost more over time than a single removal and replacement with lower-maintenance planting or fencing.

Can I Remove a Hedge Myself?

Smaller, younger hedges are manageable as a DIY job with the right tools, a pair of loppers, a handsaw, and a spade are enough for a modest privet or beech hedge with shallow roots. The challenge with DIY hedge removal is the root system and the volume of waste generated. Established hedges, particularly Leylandii and conifer, require mechanical equipment that most homeowners don't have access to, and attempting to remove a large root system by hand is physically demanding and time-consuming. For anything over 1.5 metres or with a mature root system, hiring a gardener is almost always more cost-effective once you factor in tool hire, skip hire, and the time involved.

What Should I Replace My Hedge With?

The most popular replacement after hedge removal is timber panel fencing, which is faster to install, requires less maintenance, and gives you an immediate boundary. See our fence installation cost guide for a full breakdown of what fencing typically costs before you get quotes. If you want to retain a natural boundary, lower-growing species like box, yew, or laurel are slower-growing alternatives that are easier to keep under control than Leylandii or privet. You can browse photos of completed fencing and garden projects on MyBuilder to get a sense of what's achievable before deciding on a direction.