Preparing Your Garden for a Home Sale: Checklist, Costs & Timing
By Hovenier Hoofddorp · Updated July 31, 2026
An overgrown garden with unruly planting, moss between the paving or a broken fence makes buyers question how well the rest of the home has been maintained — a well-kept garden does the opposite. Budget €150 to €1,200 for a targeted tidy-up, depending on the garden's condition, and ideally start 2 to 4 weeks before the first viewings.
Checklist: what to sort out before selling
- Lawn: mowed short and neat, with bare or brown patches repaired — see our brown lawn patches guide.
- Hedges and shrubs: neatly trimmed, no branches overhanging the path or patio.
- Paving: weeds removed from the joints, loose slabs fixed — see repairing sunken paving if there is any settlement.
- Tidying up: broken furniture, old pots and clutter removed; a tidy garden immediately looks bigger.
- Add some colour: a few flowering pots by the front door or patio give listing photos an instantly inviting first impression.
- Front garden: at least as important as the back — it's the first thing buyers see on arrival.
What does preparing a garden for sale cost?
| Approach | Guide price 2026 |
|---|---|
| Basic tidy-up (mowing, trimming, clearing) | €150 – €400 |
| Thorough approach (incl. weeding, small repairs, fresh planting) | €400 – €1,200 |
| Complete refresh (paving repair, replacing planting) | €1,200 – €3,000+ |
A targeted tidy-up usually pays for itself: a well-kept garden stops buyers assuming a bigger maintenance backlog than actually exists, which can otherwise translate into a lower offer.
When is the best time to start?
Ideally start 2 to 4 weeks before the home goes live on Funda or the first viewings take place, so freshly trimmed hedges and refreshed borders have time to settle after pruning. Spring and early summer are the best seasons: flowering planting makes the strongest impression in photos and during viewings.
Do you work with estate agents?
We regularly work with estate agents in the Hoofddorp area who refer selling clients to us for a garden tidy-up ahead of sale. Are you an estate agent looking for a reliable referral partner for your clients? Get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a tidy garden really increase the sale price?
A tidy garden at minimum stops buyers from assuming a bigger maintenance problem than actually exists, and creates a stronger first impression in both photos and viewings. That generally translates into a faster sale and less room for buyers to negotiate down on "deferred maintenance".
Do I need to renovate the whole garden before selling?
Usually not. A targeted tidy-up — lawn, pruning, weeding and clearing — is enough for most gardens. A full renovation only makes sense for a garden in poor condition where the gap with the rest of the home is too large.
How quickly can you prepare a garden for sale?
We usually carry out a basic tidy-up within a week of the site visit. If you are short on time before the first viewing, let us know and we will prioritise your job — contact us directly in that case.
Hovenier Hoofddorp is your gardener for the greater Amsterdam area — from garden landscaping and garden maintenance to premium villa gardens with pools, nationwide. Fixed prices, reply within 24 hours.
Rather leave it to us? Request a quote.
We are happy to visit you for honest advice and a clear price. No hassle — just a well-kept garden, with everything explained in English.
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