✓ Verified Google reviews·✓ Reviewed regularly·✓ Updated 29 May 2026
Written by Mark Reid,
Trades Editor ·Verified 29 May 2026
Sunderland's housing stock is a real mix. You've got Victorian terraces in Hendon and Roker with narrow rear yards that need clever planting to feel like proper gardens, interwar semis across Fulwell and Grangetown with decent-sized lawns that often go unloved, and newer builds out towards Doxford Park and Chapelgarth where the builder's finish is bare topsoil and turf that's barely holding on. The local soils tend towards heavy clay in lower-lying areas near the River Wear, which makes drainage a genuine issue, and plenty of homeowners find their garden waterlogged half the winter. A landscaper who knows the area will recognise that straight away and factor it into any planting or paving scheme rather than treating every garden as identical.
The businesses listed here are drawn from third-party public business listings and ranked by review rating and review count, with a small lift applied to those that show a working website and phone number. Before anything appears on this page, we check each business's own website to confirm that landscaping work is what they primarily offer, which keeps unrelated trades out of the results. Any listing flagged as permanently closed is removed automatically. Where you see a Trust Verified badge on a listing, that business has gone further and passed our full verification process, covering trade qualifications and accreditations, public liability insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information. You can see exactly what that involves on our How We Verify page. Businesses that don't carry the badge haven't been independently verified by us, and it's worth bearing that in mind.
Before you book anyone, ask for a written quote that breaks down labour and materials separately. Garden design, hard landscaping such as patios and driveways, and soft landscaping like planting and turfing are quite different jobs, so check the landscaper you're speaking to actually specialises in what you need. If your project involves new drainage runs or changes to ground levels near your boundary, ask early whether that affects your neighbours or requires any permissions. For larger projects, get at least three quotes because prices can vary significantly, sometimes by hundreds of pounds for the same scope of work. Public liability insurance is worth confirming directly, and for any planting or lawn work, it's sensible to ask what soil preparation is included rather than assuming it's part of the deal.
How We Select & Rate The Best Landscapers in Sunderland
Rankings on this page are driven by public review rating and review count, pulled from third-party business listings, with a small additional lift for businesses that have a working website and phone number. We check each business's homepage to confirm that landscaping is what they primarily offer, keeping unrelated trades off the page. Permanently closed listings are removed automatically. Businesses displaying a Trust Verified badge have additionally passed our full verification covering qualifications, insurance, trading history, customer review history, and registered company information. See our How We Verify page for the full list. All other businesses on this page have not been independently verified by us, and inclusion is not an endorsement. Always do your own checks before hiring.
Positions 1–5 (Recommended and Featured) may be paid placements. Every other listing is ranked on rating and review count from third-party business listings. How we rank & verify →
D Kelly Landscapes provides comprehensive landscaping and garden services to customers across Sunderland and surrounding areas. The company offers tree care and general garden maintenance from their SR2 base, helping property owners enhance and maintain their outdoor spaces. With a 4.6-star rating from 34 verified customer reviews, they have built a solid reputation for reliable service in the local area.
Cedars Landscaping provides professional landscaping services throughout Sunderland and the surrounding areas from their Hendon base. The company has earned a strong reputation with customers, maintaining a 4.8 out of 5 star rating based on 19 verified Google reviews. Their comprehensive approach to garden design and maintenance serves both residential and commercial clients across the SR2 area.
ELDERS PLANT HIRE LTD provides landscaping services from their Washington base, serving the Sunderland area and surrounding regions. The company maintains a perfect 5-star rating from 11 verified Google reviews, reflecting their commitment to quality workmanship. Their comprehensive approach to landscaping projects combines professional expertise with reliable service delivery for both residential and commercial clients.
Hays Gardening and Landscapes provides professional landscaping services across Sunderland and the Washington area from their NE37 base. The company has earned a perfect 5-star rating from 7 verified customer reviews, reflecting their commitment to quality garden design and landscape installation. They offer comprehensive gardening and landscaping solutions for residential and commercial properties throughout the region.
Amazing Paving specialises in landscaping services across Sunderland, operating from their Hendon base in the SR2 area. The company focuses on paving and related outdoor improvement projects for residential and commercial properties. With a perfect 5-star rating from 5 verified customer reviews, they have built a solid reputation for quality workmanship in the local area.
KR Landscapes, Fencing and Property Maintenance provides comprehensive landscaping and property maintenance services to customers in Sunderland and the SR5 area. The company maintains a perfect 5-star rating on Google based on 4 verified customer reviews. Their services encompass garden landscaping, fencing installations, and general property upkeep for residential and commercial clients.
Woburn Paving and Landscaping provides professional landscaping and paving services to customers across Sunderland and the surrounding areas. Based in Washington, the company has earned a 4 out of 5 star rating from 3 verified customer reviews on Google. Their experienced team handles both residential and commercial projects, transforming outdoor spaces with quality workmanship and attention to detail.
Transparency notice: Recommended (#1) and Featured (positions 2-5) listings may be paid placements, so a business's fee affects whether and where it appears in those positions. 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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Basic garden tidying runs £150-£300 per day for a two-person team. Lawn installation costs £8-£15 per square metre including preparation and seeding. Patio installation ranges from £45-£80 per square metre depending on materials, with Indian sandstone typically more expensive than concrete slabs. Complete garden makeovers for average terraced properties start around £3,000-£8,000. Prices vary based on access, soil conditions, and materials chosen. Always get two or three detailed quotes to compare.
What should I ask a landscaper before hiring them?
Ask to see photos of recent projects in Sunderland, particularly ones similar to your property type. Check they've got public liability insurance of at least £2 million and employer's liability if they use subcontractors. Find out if they handle planning permissions for larger projects like outbuildings or significant level changes. Ask about their approach to Sunderland's clay soil and whether they'll improve drainage. Get a clear timeline and ask what happens if weather delays the work.
Do I need planning permission for landscaping work?
Most garden landscaping doesn't require planning permission, but there are exceptions. You'll need permission for structures over 2.5 metres high, or anything over 1 metre near boundaries. Outbuildings covering more than 50% of your garden area need approval, as do significant changes to ground levels. Listed buildings and conservation areas have stricter rules. Your landscaper should know the basics, but check with Sunderland City Council's planning department for complex projects.
Which plants work well in Sunderland's climate?
Sunderland's coastal location means salt-tolerant plants work brilliantly near the seafront. Griselinia, escallonia, and pittosporum handle salt spray well. For inland areas with heavy clay, choose plants that cope with wet winters like bergenia, astilbe, and heuchera. Native options like hawthorn, elderberry, and dog rose support local wildlife. Many landscapers recommend improving clay soil with organic matter before planting anything demanding.
What's the ideal time of year for landscaping work?
Hard landscaping like patios and paths works year-round except during frost or heavy rain that makes ground too soft. Spring and autumn are perfect for planting, giving roots time to establish before summer heat or winter cold. Lawn laying works from March to October, avoiding waterlogged winter months. Book popular landscapers early for spring work as this is their busiest period. Winter jobs often cost less due to lower demand.
How do I check if a landscaper is trustworthy?
Look for consistent Google reviews over several months, not just recent ones. Ask for local references and actually contact previous customers if possible. Check they're registered for VAT if claiming to be an established business. Verify insurance certificates directly with insurers rather than just accepting photocopies. Visit their previous work in your area if customers agree. Avoid anyone demanding full payment upfront or pressuring you to sign immediately.
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