What does it cost to raise your garden?

Raising a garden is a common intervention in case of subsidence, redesign or new construction. Over the years, the soil gradually sinks , especially in places with soft soil or after heavy loads (for example, after intensive use or heavy rainfall). Raising a garden in time prevents flooding, uneven paving and damage to foundations of garden constructions such as fences, terraces or verandas.

The costs for raising a garden vary and depend on various factors, including the type of filling material, the required quantity, the accessibility of the garden and any additional work such as repaving. In this overview we give an extensive, businesslike explanation of the cost structure, including examples and points of attention.

1. Average costs per square meter

The average costs for raising a garden are:

Please note: These amounts are indicative. The final costs may vary per region and per gardening company.

2. What factors influence the costs?

a. Area of the garden

The larger the garden, the higher the total amount. However, it is often the case that the larger the order, the lower the price per square meter due to economies of scale.

b. Required volume of filling material

The required amount of sand or garden soil depends on the number of centimeters that need to be raised.

An increase of 10 cm on 50 m² therefore means:
50 × 0.10 m = 5 m³ of sand.

c. Type of raising material

Some projects use multiple layers: first rubble, then sand, then garden soil.

d. Labor and machines

• Labor costs average between €40 and €60 per hour per gardener.
• A mini-excavator or wheelbarrow tire is often used for larger projects.
• Poorly accessible gardens (backyard without back entrance) increase the working time and therefore the costs.

e. Finishing (paving, grass, planting)

When raising the level, paving often has to be removed and re-laid.

• Reusing existing tiles is cheaper than new paving.
• For lawns, sod or sowing may be necessary.
• Plants or borders sometimes have to be temporarily removed or replaced.

3. Example calculation: standard elevation of 50 m²

Situation: Backyard has subsided and needs to be raised by 10 cm. The existing tiles will be reused.

On average, this amounts to: € 45.50 per m², for a relatively simple job.

4. Cost-saving tips

• Save on materials by purchasing sand or topsoil in bulk from a local supplier (for example, per 1,000 liter bigbag).
• Reuse materials, such as existing tiles or rubble.
• Work together with neighbors if multiple gardens have subsided: shared transport and machine costs.
• Combine multiple jobs, such as raising + laying grass + redesigning borders; this limits extra call-out charges.
• Compare quotes via jeofferte.nl to gain insight into different providers, their working methods and pricing.

5. When is raising necessary?

Signals:

• Rainwater remains after a shower
• Tiles are uneven or subside
• Connections with fences, terraces or houses are no longer level
• Grass grows poorly due to accumulation of moisture

Raising is especially necessary for gardens on peat soil, clay soil or in places where the subsoil is insufficiently compacted after construction activities.

6. Conclusion

The average costs for raising a garden are between € 15 and € 50 per m², depending on the chosen materials, the desired finish and the accessibility of the site. Those who want to save costs can supply sand themselves, reuse old materials or combine activities. For a reliable cost estimate, it is wise to request several quotes, for example via jeofferte.nl. This way you can be sure that the garden will be raised again firmly, flat and sustainably — at a fair price.

The cost of raising a garden varies depending on the surface area, raising height, accessibility, finish, and material choice. To give a realistic picture of what you can expect, below are three representative scenarios with a concrete cost estimate per situation.

Scenario 1: Small city garden with slight subsidence

Situation

• Surface area: 25 m²
• Raising: 7 cm (slight subsidence)
• Accessibility: limited, only through the house
• Finish: existing tiles are replaced
• Material: fill sand

Calculation

Cost per m²: ± € 37

Scenario 2: Average backyard with complete redesign

Situation

• Surface area: 60 m²
• Elevation: 10 cm
• Accessibility: via back entrance (easily accessible)
• Finishing: old tiles replaced by new paving

Calculation

Costs per m²: ± € 65

Scenario 3: Large garden with significant elevation and lawn

Situation

• Surface area: 120 m²
• Elevation: 20 cm (serious subsidence)
• Accessibility: via side path, suitable for mini excavator
• Finishing: sowing grass
• Material: sand + garden soil

Calculation

Cost per m²: ± € 40

Summary overview

Conclusion

These scenarios demonstrate that the costs for raising a garden are highly dependent on surface area, raising height, accessibility, and the chosen finish. Small gardens with limited raising are relatively expensive per square meter due to fixed costs such as labor and machine rental. Larger gardens often offer economies of scale, especially if access is good and materials can be supplied in bulk.

Raising a garden seems like a relatively simple task at first glance, but the final costs can vary greatly depending on several technical and practical factors. Below is an overview of the most important price determinants, with explanations per component.

1. Area of the garden

The larger the garden, the more material and labor is needed.

• Small garden (up to 30 m²): often relatively expensive per m² due to fixed start-up costs such as transport and preparation work.
• Medium-sized garden (30–80 m²): more efficient use of personnel and machines, more favorable price per m².
• Large garden (80+ m²): economies of scale, but higher absolute costs.

Example:
A garden of 20 m² that needs to be raised 10 cm costs relatively more per m² than a garden of 100 m² due to the same basic costs (supply, transport, work preparation).

2. Required Elevation Height (Volume)

The height to which the garden needs to be raised directly determines how much material is needed.

The higher the elevation, the more transport movements, labor and compaction are required.

3. Accessibility of the garden

A garden with a back entrance is easier accessible for machines such as a mini excavator or a wheelbarrow with a motor.

• Easily accessible (back entrance, no height differences): fast and efficient work, lower labor costs.
• Poorly accessible (via house or narrow passage): everything by hand or small wheelbarrows → labor-intensive, so more expensive.

Note: in many gardens in terraced houses, sand has to be transported through the house with wheelbarrows, which requires extra time and protection.

4. Choice of Material

The type of fill material affects both the costs and the finish:

Combination of layers (rubble + sand + topsoil) is more common in garden renovations or driveways and increases the total price.

5. Finishing after raising

Raising is rarely an end goal in itself. The garden must be redecorated or finished:

• Relaying or replacing paving
• Replacing old tiles = cheaper
• New tiles = extra material costs
• Applying grass or lawn
• Sowing = cheaper, slower result
• Turf = immediate result, more expensive
• Replacing or replacing plants
• Time-consuming if borders or hedges have to be dug up or adjusted

The degree of redesign therefore largely determines the total amount.

6. Labor costs and deployment of machines

Average labor costs in the Netherlands are between € 40 and € 60 per hour per professional.

• For larger gardens or higher elevation, a mini excavator, vibrating plate or shovel is often required.
• Machine rental and transport costs can add up to several hundred euros, especially if machines have to go over narrow paths or with a crane over the house.

7. Waste disposal and removal of old soil

If old soil, rubble or subsided sand needs to be removed first, this entails extra costs:

• Container rental or landfill costs
• Transport and labor for removal
• Sorting costs for rubble, sand or planting

Indication: € 100–€ 200 extra for removal in a medium-sized project.

8. Season and availability of gardeners

During the high season (spring and early summer) gardeners and pavers are often fully booked.

• In spring or autumn the rates are sometimes lower.
• Busy times in the market can lead to higher hourly rates or longer waiting times.

It therefore pays to request quotations in good time, for example via jeofferte.nl, to avoid peak times and price increases.

Summary of price-determining factors

Conclusion

The price for raising a garden is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including surface area, height, material choice, accessibility and finish. Anyone who wants to keep a grip on the costs would be wise to first make a clear situation analysis and then request multiple quotes, for example via jeofferte.nl. This way you not only gain insight into market prices, but also into the approach and possible customized savings.

When raising a garden, material costs are a substantial part of the total budget. Especially if you carry out (part of) the work yourself, or only have material delivered by a gardener, it is useful to have insight into the prices of filling materials in big bags – the standard delivery form for sand, soil, and rubble.

A big bag typically contains 1,000 liters (1 m³) and is often delivered on location by a building materials supplier, garden center, or gardener.

1. Average cost per big bag (1 m³)

Prices include delivery on location within the Netherlands, but exclude any surcharges for hard-to-reach locations or pallet returns.

2. How many m³ do you need?

The quantity depends on the surface area and the desired filling height. Use this guideline:

Formula:

Required m³ = surface area (m²) × filling height (m in decimal form)

Example:
A garden of 40 m² that needs to be raised by 10 cm requires:
→ 40 × 0.10 = 4 m³ of sand → 4 bigbags of filling sand

3. Points to consider when delivering bigbags

a. Transport costs

• When purchasing one or a few bigbags, suppliers often charge delivery fees (€25–€50 per delivery).
• For larger orders (from 3–5 bigbags), delivery costs are sometimes included.

b. Delivery location

• Delivery is made with a truck with a crane or a Moffett (truck-mounted forklift).
• Delivery must take place on paved ground (sidewalk, driveway); not on grass or unpaved ground.
• No back entrance? Then material often has to be moved to the backyard with wheelbarrows, which means extra labor.

c. Storage and processing

• Bigbags are permeable to water but not completely waterproof: cover them when it rains.
• Process sand or soil within a few weeks to prevent compaction and contamination.

4. Cost comparison of material by project size

5. How can you save on material costs?

• Buy in larger quantities – The more bigbags you order at once, the lower the price per item and the greater the chance of free delivery.
• Compare providers regionally – Suppliers often have different rates per region.
• Combine with neighbors – Share a delivery with neighbors to split transport costs.
• Work with jeofferte.nl – Here you can also have material and delivery included in the quote request of a gardener. Gardeners often deliver materials at purchase prices, including transport and processing.

Conclusion

The price for materials such as sand, soil, and debris in big bags varies on average between €55 and €125 per m³, depending on the type and application. When raising a garden, it is important to accurately calculate the amount of material needed, consider delivery terms, and take advantage of economies of scale and combined orders where possible. The right choice of material not only prevents extra costs but also finishing problems, such as subsidence or poor drainage.

Would you prefer to have everything taken care of? Then request a quote via jeofferte.nl that combines material, labor, and delivery – this is often more efficient and cost-effective.

Raising a garden doesn't have to be unnecessarily expensive. With a smart approach, you can save considerably on both material and labor costs, without compromising on quality. Below you will find the most important saving tips, professionally explained and applicable for both private and business garden projects.

1. Perform preparatory work yourself

By doing certain preparatory jobs yourself, you can significantly save on labor hours.

• Remove old paving, sod or loose plants yourself.
• Level part of the subsoil manually.
• Make sure the route to the garden is clear (no obstacles).
• Apply protective cloths or planks in narrow passages.

Savings: up to € 300 in labor hours for a medium-sized project.

2. Reuse existing materials

Many materials can be reused.

• Paving: existing tiles or pavers can be re-laid.
• Sand or soil: if the quality is good, the excavated material can be reused after filtering.
• Wood or borders: temporary removal and replacement is often cheaper than replacement.

Savings: € 25–€ 50 per m² in new material costs.

3. Order sand and soil in bulk (big bags)

Delivery in big bags is cheaper per m³ than loose bags or small loads.

• Combine orders with neighbors for economies of scale.
• Choose only topsoil for finishing; use standard fill sand for filling.

Savings: € 100–€ 300 depending on project size.

4. Combine work in one project

Have raising performed in combination with other gardening activities such as:

• Laying paving
• Installing drainage
• Laying lawn or border

This prevents double call-out charges, start-up costs and separate use of machines.

Savings: average € 200–€ 400 per combined project.

5. Plan outside the peak season

It is busy in the spring (March–May). In the autumn (September–November), many gardeners are more available.

• Request a quote during quiet periods.
• Be flexible in your planning for lower rates.
• Pay attention to the frost sensitivity of certain materials (e.g. sod, soil).

Savings: up to 15% on labor costs.

6. Compare multiple quotes

Price differences between gardeners can be up to 40%, depending on region, experience and working method.

• Request multiple quotes from recognized gardeners via jeofferte.nl.
• Pay attention not only to the total amount, but also to what is and is not included (e.g. removal, leveling, aftercare).
• Opt for fixed price agreements per m² for larger areas.

Savings: € 10–€ 30 per m² with good comparison.

7. Avoid unnecessary disposal

Waste containers, transport and disposal costs are often an invisible expense.

• Reuse sand and soil where possible.
• Use surplus to supplement borders or increase planting areas.
• Dispose of waste yourself at the municipal recycling center if permitted.

Savings: € 150–€ 250 on disposal and processing costs.

8. Use low-maintenance finishing

The finish after raising determines future maintenance costs.

• Opt for stable materials (e.g. ceramic tiles or slow-growing plants).
• Avoid gravel or loose soil on sloping areas – that leads to later corrections.
• Ensure good drainage to prevent subsidence again.

Long-term savings: less repair work, repaving and drainage problems.

Conclusion

With a well-thought-out approach and these saving tips, you can significantly reduce the costs of raising your garden. By tackling work yourself, buying materials smartly, comparing quotes via jeofferte.nl, and planning combinations of work, you not only save money but also ensure an efficient and sustainable garden renovation.

Do you want a customized quote with optimal cost insight? Have multiple gardeners assess your situation via jeofferte.nl — for a smart investment with the highest return.