Gardener hourly rates

What gardeners charge per hour

General garden maintenance — weeding, pruning, tidying — commonly runs $50–$90 per hour in capital cities. Lawn-only specialists may sit at the lower end; landscaping labour exceeds $80–$120/hour.

Minimum call-out fees

Small jobs often attract a 1–2 hour minimum because of travel and setup. Courtyard owners should expect $80–$150 minimum charges even for 30 minutes of work.

What is included in an hour

Clarify whether the clock starts on arrival, includes unloading, and covers green waste disposal. An hour of weeding achieves more on maintained beds than on an overgrown jungle.

Fixed quotes vs hourly

Fixed quotes suit defined cleanups; hourly suits open-ended maintenance. For ongoing care, many gardeners offer a fixed per-visit price after an initial assessment.

What to look for in a gardener

A reliable gardener asks about access, slope, pets, and your priorities before quoting. They explain what is included in each visit and flag extra work (heavy pruning, green waste removal) before starting.

• Do they carry public liability insurance?
• Will the same person or crew attend each visit?
• How do they handle wet weather or missed visits?
• What equipment do they use for your lawn size?
• Can they provide a written quote and invoice with ABN?