Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 23 September 2026
Margate gardens throw up a fair few challenges that landscapers here get used to dealing with. A lot of the housing stock around Cliftonville and Westbrook is Victorian or Edwardian, with narrow side access and small courtyard-style plots that need clever design rather than just more space. Head towards Birchington or the outskirts and you'll find bigger plots with heavier clay soil, which changes how drainage and planting schemes get approached. Coastal exposure is another factor, salt-laden winds off the sea front mean planting choices and fencing need to cope with conditions you wouldn't get further inland, so a landscaper who knows the local area tends to save you a fair bit of trial and error.
The businesses featured on this page are drawn from public business listings, ranked mainly by review rating and how many reviews they've built up, with a small lift given to those showing a working website and phone number. We read each business's homepage to check that landscaping work is genuinely what they offer day to day, which keeps builders, gardeners doing occasional mowing, or other unrelated trades off this particular list. Listings flagged as permanently closed are removed as part of that process. Where you spot a Trust Verified badge next to a business, it means that company has gone through our fuller verification covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information, and you can read exactly what that involves on our How We Verify page. Businesses without that badge haven't been through those checks by us, so it's worth doing your own homework before booking.
Before you commit to any quote, ask to see photos of previous work in Margate or nearby, ideally jobs similar in scale to yours, whether that's a patio, decking, or a full garden redesign. Check if they're covered by public liability insurance and ask to see the certificate rather than just taking their word for it. Get a written quote that breaks down materials, labour, and any waste removal costs, since verbal estimates have a habit of creeping up once work starts. It's sensible to get two or three quotes for anything beyond small maintenance jobs, both to compare pricing and to get a feel for who actually listens to what you want from the space.
How We Select & Rate The Best Landscapers in Margate
Rankings are based on review rating and review count pulled from public business listings, with a small lift given to businesses that show a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm landscaping is what they primarily do, and listings flagged as permanently closed are removed automatically. Businesses marked Trust Verified have gone further, passing our full verification of trade qualifications, insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company details; see our How We Verify page for the complete list. Other businesses shown haven't been independently verified by us, and appearing on this page isn't an endorsement. Always check credentials yourself before hiring.
Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. Every other listing is ranked on rating and review count from third-party business listings. How we rank & verify →
Cordes Horticultural Ltd is a landscaping company based in Margate, covering residential and commercial grounds work across the local area. Services span the range expected of a full horticultural contractor, from garden design and maintenance to larger landscaping projects.
Residential and commercial clients across Margate turn to Mambo Gardens for landscaping work covering design, planting, and general garden maintenance. The company is well placed for projects along the Thanet coast.
P & Sees is a landscaping company based in Margate, serving residential and commercial clients across the local area. The business covers outdoor design and maintenance work for projects across the town and surrounding coastal neighbourhoods. Further details on services and project enquiries are available through the company website.
Applejacks Landscapes is a Margate-based landscaping company covering garden design and outdoor construction work across the area. Their website, applejacksgardens.co.uk, reflects a focus on gardens as finished, maintained spaces rather than one-off projects.
Transparency notice: Recommended and Featured listings are paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears. All other listings are ranked by a combined score drawn from ratings and review counts published on third-party business listings, plus basic completeness signals such as a working website and phone. A Trust Verified badge means we have independently checked that business's documents; businesses without it have not been independently verified by us. How we verify →
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Small jobs like turfing a back garden or laying a simple patio typically run from £800 to £2,500, depending on size and materials. A fuller garden redesign with paving, planting, and fencing can land anywhere between £4,000 and £12,000, and larger projects involving retaining walls or drainage work push higher still. Prices vary a lot depending on access, whether it's a tight terrace plot in Cliftonville or a bigger garden out towards Minster. Getting two or three quotes is standard practice and will give you a realistic sense of what your specific job should cost.
Do I need planning permission for landscaping work in Margate?
Most everyday landscaping, like patios, decking under 30cm high, planting, and fencing under normal height limits, doesn't need planning permission. It gets more complicated if your property is in a conservation area, which covers parts of Margate's Old Town and seafront, or if you're near a listed building. Raising ground levels significantly or building structures like large garden rooms can also trigger the need for permission. Check with Thanet District Council's planning department before work starts if you're unsure, rather than finding out after the fact.
What's the best time of year to have landscaping work done?
Autumn and early spring tend to suit planting and turfing best, since the soil's workable and plants establish roots before summer heat or winter cold sets in. Hard landscaping like patios, paving, and decking can be done pretty much year-round, though heavy rain can delay groundwork and cause scheduling headaches. Many Margate landscapers get booked up months ahead for spring and summer slots, so if you want work finished before the warmer months, it pays to get quotes and book early rather than waiting until March.
Should I choose a landscaper who specialises in design or one who just does the build?
It depends on how much guidance you need. If you've already got a clear plan, a build-focused landscaper who can quote accurately and get on with paving, turfing, or fencing might be all you need. If you're starting from scratch or unsure how to use an awkward-shaped garden, someone offering design as well as build can save you from costly changes mid-project. Ask to see a portfolio either way, and check whether design fees are separate from the build cost so there's no confusion later.
How do I prepare my garden before the landscapers arrive?
Clear away furniture, pots, children's play equipment, and anything else that could get in the way of machinery or material deliveries. If there's existing planting you want kept, flag it clearly, ideally in writing as part of the quote, since it's easy for things to get dug up by mistake otherwise. Check access routes, particularly if you're in a terraced house with narrow side access, as this affects how materials get brought in and may change the price. It's also worth checking with neighbours if skips or deliveries might need to use shared driveways or parking.
How do I choose between landscapers in Margate?
Start by reading through recent reviews rather than just the overall star rating, since patterns in feedback tell you more than a number alone. Ask each landscaper for proof of public liability insurance and, if the job involves anything structural like retaining walls, check they've got relevant experience with similar builds. Request examples of completed work nearby if possible, so you can see the quality in person rather than just photos. Always get a written, itemised quote, confirm payment terms before work starts, and be wary of anyone asking for full payment upfront rather than a reasonable deposit.
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