Gardening service process – How our four-step service works

Our Gardening Service Process: How It Works

Choosing the right team for your garden shouldn’t be complicated. Here’s our clear, four-step gardening service process to show how our gardening service works from first enquiry to neat, tidy results and aftercare advice. Whether you need a one-off tidy or regular maintenance across London and the wider N area, Gardening North London keeps things simple, transparent and reliable.

Step 1: Enquire, Book and Confirm

Tell us what you need and we’ll guide you from the start. This is the book and confirm stage where we gather the details to prepare an accurate quote and suitable plan.

What we need to start the job:

  • Photos or a short video of the garden (wide shots + any trouble spots)
  • A brief list of priorities (e.g., hedge trimming, lawn mowing, bed maintenance)
  • Access notes (gates, key safe, concierge) and parking information if applicable
  • Preferred days/times and whether it’s a one-off or ongoing schedule
  • Any restrictions (noise windows, shared spaces, pet access)

How we provide your quote:

  • We review your information and may ask for additional photos or measurements.
  • If the work is complex or large-scale, we’ll recommend an on site assessment before finalising.
  • You’ll receive a clear, no-obligation estimate. Where scope is well-defined, we’ll confirm a fixed quote; where variables exist, we’ll outline options.

Next steps to confirm:

  • Approve the scope in writing and choose your timeslot preferences.
  • We’ll send a booking confirmation with your summary and what to expect on the day.

Useful links:

  • See our approach to estimates and variables on our pricing page.
  • Ready to begin? Share details and photos via get a quote.

Step 2: Pre-Visit Checks and On Site Assessment

Before we start, we carry out sensible pre-visit checks so the team arrives prepared. For larger projects or where conditions are unclear, we’ll complete an on site assessment to confirm the programme of works.

What happens during an on site assessment:

  • Walkthrough to agree priorities (e.g., garden clearance, hedge trimming, lawn care).
  • Identify hazards, access constraints, and any protected plants or nesting areas.
  • Discuss waste handling, tool access, and water or power availability if needed.
  • Confirm scope, timeline, and any phased approach for bigger gardens or grounds.

Safety and care:

  • We work with appropriate tools, PPE and risk-aware methods.
  • We adapt to the setting—residential gardens, communal courtyards, or commercial grounds.

If anything changes from the original brief, we’ll update the quote and seek your approval before proceeding.

Step 3: Garden Work and Tidy

This is what happens on gardening day. Our gardeners arrive within an agreed arrival window, introduce themselves, and get straight to work. We focus on delivering neat, consistent results with minimal disruption.

Typical tasks we carry out:

  • Garden clearance and seasonal tidy-ups, including storm debris where requested.
  • Lawn mowing, edging, lawn care treatments, and turfing/returfing as agreed.
  • Hedge trimming, shrub pruning, and tree pruning within accessible heights.
  • Bed maintenance, weeding, mulching, and planting.
  • Ivy removal and weed control with appropriate methods.
  • Pressure washing and cleaning of decking, patios, drives and fences where booked.

How we handle green waste:

  • We bag and remove green waste as specified in your booking, or leave it neatly for council collection if preferred.
  • Larger volumes may require an additional collection—flag this in advance or on the day.

How we leave the garden tidy:

  • Hard surfaces are swept; lawns and beds are left clean and even.
  • Trimmings and cuttings are cleared from paths, patios, and borders.
  • Tools and debris are removed from site as agreed.

How to request additional tasks:

  • If you spot extra jobs on the day, raise them with the team leader.
  • We’ll confirm feasibility within the time booked or offer an updated quote/schedule.

Step 4: Sign-Off and Aftercare Advice

At the end of the visit, we do a final walkthrough (in person or via photos if you’re not present) to confirm the results. You’ll receive practical aftercare advice tailored to your garden.

Aftercare advice you can expect:

  • How to maintain results afterwards, including watering and mowing intervals.
  • Seasonal tips for beds, borders and lawns.
  • Recommendations for ongoing maintenance frequency based on growth rate and garden goals.
  • Suggestions for improvements, e.g., mulching to reduce weeds, overseeding thin lawns, or scheduling a spring tidy-up.

If you’re happy, we’ll arrange your next visit or provide a written summary for future planning.

Helpful links:

  • Explore our full services to plan the next phase.
  • For questions about availability, parking, or what’s included, read our FAQ.

What’s Included vs. Optional Extras

Included as standard (when relevant to your booking):

  • All labour and standard gardening tools
  • Basic sweeping and tidy of hard surfaces
  • Bagging of green waste and removal or stacking as agreed in advance
  • Safety-conscious working practices

Optional or by agreement:

  • Large-volume green waste removal
  • Pressure washing of patios, decking, driveways or fences
  • Lawn treatments such as aeration, scarifying, overseeding, or tailored feeding
  • Additional planting, mulching or soft landscaping
  • Gutter cleaning or storm debris clearance after severe weather

If you’re unsure whether a task is included, just ask—transparency first.

Preparing for Your Appointment

A little preparation helps us maximise your time:

  • Unlock side gates and ensure access to the garden.
  • Move vehicles if they block access to tools or waste removal.
  • Secure pets indoors or in a safe area.
  • Point out power and water access if pressure washing or irrigation checks are planned.
  • Share any priority areas that must be completed first.

If access or conditions change, let us know as soon as possible so we can adapt.

Payment, Scheduling and Changes

  • Estimates vs fixed quotes: We’ll explain which applies and why before work begins.
  • Scheduling: We offer flexible booking windows across London and the wider N area.
  • Changes on the day: We’ll confirm any scope or time adjustments before proceeding.
  • Payment methods: We accept common payment options; details provided in your confirmation.

For a deeper look at costs and variables, see our pricing page.

Regular Maintenance vs One-Off Projects

We support both ongoing and one-off needs:

  • Regular maintenance: Scheduled visits keep lawns, hedges and beds in top shape. We’ll build a plan that fits the season and your budget.
  • One-off projects: From overgrown garden clearance to seasonal tidy-ups, we restore order quickly and safely.

If you’re not sure which route suits your garden, we can recommend a sensible plan after the first visit.

Communication and Updates

We keep you informed at every stage:

  • Booking confirmation with scope and timeslot window
  • Reminder before the visit
  • On-arrival check-in and mid-job updates for larger works
  • Final sign-off with notes and aftercare guidance

If you’re away, we can provide photo updates and a summary by email.

Access, Parking and Building Rules

To keep everything smooth:

  • Provide access instructions, codes or concierge contacts in advance.
  • Share any building or estate rules (noise limits, waste handling, lift use).
  • Let us know about restricted parking; we’ll plan accordingly. If parking is not available nearby, this may affect scheduling or duration.

Health, Safety and Insurance

Your property and our team are important to us:

  • We use appropriate PPE and safe systems of work.
  • We conduct risk-aware methods and adapt to site conditions, including wet weather protocols where sensible.
  • Our public liability cover is in place for gardening and grounds maintenance tasks.

For detail on what’s covered and any exclusions, visit our insurance page.

Coverage Across London and the Wider N Area

We serve homes, communal spaces and commercial sites across London and the wider N area. For larger estates or complex grounds, we can conduct a dedicated survey and phased plan.

To see how we handle different zones and booking windows, view our coverage page.

Common Questions About the Four Step Gardening Process

  • What happens if it rains? We work in most conditions and will advise if severe weather affects safety or results. If rescheduling is needed, we’ll offer the next suitable slot.
  • Do I need to be home? Not necessarily. With pre-arranged access and instructions, we can proceed and send photo updates.
  • Can you remove all waste? Yes, within the scope agreed. Large volumes may require an extra collection fee—flag this early for accurate quotes.
  • Can I add tasks later? Yes. We’ll confirm feasibility within the booked time or arrange a follow-up visit.
  • Do you bring equipment? Yes. We supply professional tools and materials for booked tasks. If specialist equipment is needed, we’ll advise in advance.

For more detailed Q&As, see our FAQ.

Ready to Get Started?

Tell us about your garden, share a few photos, and we’ll take care of the rest. Our straightforward process makes it easy to book, approve, and enjoy tidy, healthy outdoor spaces all year round.

Gardening North London — simple, reliable, and thorough from first message to final tidy.