A price per square metre is only meaningful when the scope is the same. The quote should separate vegetation clearance, stump work, waste removal, transport and any follow-on groundworks.
What are you actually commissioning?
Mowing grass, clearing dense brambles and processing woody vegetation are different jobs. Larger trees may need separate felling, while preparing the site for a lawn or construction involves further stages. Start by turning the general request to “clear the plot” into a clearly defined finish.
For GREON vegetation clearance, we price the work to suit the site and the brief. A standard mowing rate cannot be used to estimate the cost of removing trees and shrubs.
Five factors that affect a quote
| What affects the cost | Useful information to provide |
|---|---|
| Vegetation | An overview and a close-up of typical growth, including the height and thickness of woody stems. |
| Access | The narrowest entrance, any tight turns, and space to unload and manoeuvre machinery. |
| Terrain and obstacles | Slopes, wet areas, stones, rubble, wire and known underground services. |
| Handling the material | What can stay on site, what needs gathering, and what must be processed or removed. |
| The required finish | Basic access, a mowable surface, planting ground or preparation for further work. |
On a small plot, transport and setting up may account for a larger share of the cost. A complicated garden may need more manual finishing. A larger area alone does not determine the total price.
The same area, two different briefs
An open plot: continuous young growth, easy vehicle access and permission to leave the mulched material on site. Mechanical vegetation clearance may account for most of the work.
A garden behind a narrow gate: vegetation between fences and planted areas, with all waste to be removed and a lawn to follow. The quote may include manual work, carrying material out, transport, stump removal and soil preparation.
This is an illustrative comparison, not a cost estimate. Dividing both totals by the area would hide the difference in scope.
What your quote should specify
- The working boundary and the trees and shrubs to retain.
- The processing method and extent of manual finishing.
- Whether stumps and root balls are included.
- Material handling, loading and any removal from site.
- Transport, VAT treatment and the final condition of the surface.
- What happens if hidden waste is found or the scope changes.
Separate items make the work easier to agree and the quotes easier to compare. A vague promise that “everything is included” is no substitute for a clear description of the completed work.
How to get a useful initial assessment
Send the location, approximate area, overview photographs and close-ups of the vegetation. Include a photograph of the narrowest entrance and explain how you plan to use the land. Mention known obstacles and whether woody material can remain on site.
If the information does not give us a clear picture, a site visit will help us confirm the price. The current GREON price guide provides an indication of individual service rates; it does not replace a site-specific quote for an overgrown plot.
Frequently asked questions
Is the area in square metres enough to get a price?
No. Please also send photographs of the vegetation and access, the location, known obstacles and the finish you need.
Is taking the waste away always included?
It is agreed separately. The quote should state what will remain, be gathered, processed or removed, and who will handle it.
Why can two quotes differ so much?
They may allow for different methods, stump work, manual labour, transport or waste removal. First compare the scope, then the price.
Related service
Explore the related GREON service →
Sources and further information: GREON: clearance scope and site-specific pricing, GREON: indicative service prices. Checked on 30 October 2026.
Prepared by the GREON team. We choose the method to suit the site, access and agreed finish. AI-generated illustrations are clearly distinguished from original GREON photographs.
