A small garden makeover in Sydney, up to 50 m², typically costs $5,000 to $15,000. These are Absolute’s typical prices, including GST, confirmed in October 2026.
Typical garden makeover budgets
| Work | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Small garden (up to 50 m²) | $5,000 to $15,000 |
| Medium garden (50 to 150 m²) | $15,000 to $30,000 |
| Large garden (over 150 m²) | From $30,000 |
These are starting points for planning a makeover, not a fixed rate per square metre. Two gardens of the same size can need very different amounts of clearing, soil preparation, planting and lawn. Our garden makeover service starts with a free visit to discuss the space and quote the agreed work.
Tell David your suburb and the work you have in mind. Photos are optional.
What a makeover can include
A makeover can combine clearing unwanted growth, preparing the soil, creating garden beds, choosing and installing plants, mulching and laying lawn. We plan the garden with you on site and carry out the work. We don’t offer a separate drawn-plan service.
The scope should identify what stays, what comes out and what is new. A feature pot, retained tree or existing path may give the garden a useful starting point. Large retaining walls, pools and extensive structural landscaping are outside our service.
Comparing makeover quotes
Ask each business to price the same changes. Your quote should identify the clearing, soil preparation, new bed or edging work, plant quantities and sizes, lawn and waste removal that are included. Check which existing features will stay and whether any items are optional.
If you change the planting, lawn area or layout after the quote, agree the revised scope and price before that extra work starts. A garden-size budget is useful for planning; the written scope tells you what you are buying.
What changes the cost?
- The garden you start with: removing dense growth and preparing tired soil adds work before new planting begins.
- How much you retain: keeping suitable trees, beds and paths can reduce replacement work.
- Plant sizes and quantities: larger specimens create a fuller look sooner but change the materials budget.
- New lawn: preparation, levels and access matter as well as the area to turf.
- Beds and edges: changing the layout involves more work than replanting existing beds.
- Access and disposal: narrow side passages, steps and large volumes of waste affect labour and handling.
What finished work looks like
In Marsfield, our 2025 front garden makeover combined new planting, fresh mulch, a feature pot and lawn. It is a useful example of keeping a clear focal point while improving the surrounding garden.
In Gladesville, a tired garden strip became a raised timber sleeper bed with tropical planting in 2025. The before-and-after photographs show a more focused change to one part of the garden. These are examples of our work; neither project’s actual price is published here.
Restoration, makeover or landscaping?
If you mainly want to cut back, weed and mulch what is already there, start with garden restoration costs. A makeover changes the planting and layout more substantially. Landscaping costs cover work such as beds, planting and lawn planned together, including new gardens.
The descriptions matter more than the labels. Ask for a quote that identifies the work and materials so you can compare the same scope.
Make the budget go further
Decide which part of the garden you want to improve most. Keep healthy plants that suit the new layout, discuss plant sizes and ask whether the work can be staged. Ground preparation and suitable planting are worth getting right before adding finishing details.
Arrange a free on-site quote
Tell David your suburb, what you would like changed and any access constraints. A few optional photos can help start the conversation. He will look at the garden, discuss the choices with you and quote before you decide to proceed.
Tell David your suburb and the work you have in mind. Photos are optional.
