Gardener Costs in Zurich & Switzerland (2026 Guide)
Hourly Rates, Task Prices & What’s Included

Hiring a gardener in Switzerland is one of those services where the hourly rate is only half the story. Travel, green waste disposal, minimum booking times, and the type of provider (company vs independent vs casual help) can change your final bill quickly—especially in Zurich, where rates tend to sit at the top end of Swiss ranges.

This guide breaks down typical gardener costs in Switzerland, including Zurich-specific benchmarks, prices by task, and a quote checklist so you can compare offers confidently.

Pricing disclaimer (important): All prices below are guideline ranges based on common market benchmarks in Switzerland (including data points referenced by Houzy and Magic Heidi). Actual quotes vary by region, season, garden complexity, and what’s included (VAT, travel, disposal, materials). Always request a written offer for your specific garden.

What does a gardener cost in Switzerland? (Quick answer)

Most homeowners in Switzerland can expect:

• Professional gardener (maintenance): typically CHF 70–100/hour
• Zurich area: often CHF 90–100/hour for professional services
• Landscape architect / garden designer: commonly CHF 100–120/hour (separate service category)
• Travel fee: often charged as a flat amount, commonly CHF 30–85 (varies by distance/provider)
• Task pricing (examples):
  • Lawn mowing: CHF 0.25–0.35 per m²
  • Weeding: CHF 2–4 per m²
  • Tree pruning: CHF 400–1,000 per tree

If you’re comparing providers, the big difference is usually this: a lower hourly rate can become more expensive once you add travel, disposal, and longer working time due to limited equipment or experience.

Gardener hourly rates in Zurich vs the rest of Switzerland

Hourly pricing is the most common model for maintenance work (mowing, weeding, pruning, seasonal clean-ups). Here’s how rates typically break down.

Typical hourly rates (guideline)

Why Zurich often costs more: higher demand density, higher operating costs, and tighter scheduling—especially in spring.

What “hourly rate” usually includes (and what it often doesn’t)

Often included:

• Labour time on-site
• Standard hand tools

Often not included (ask explicitly):

• Travel / call-out fee
• Green waste disposal (bags, transport, municipal fees)
• Materials (soil, mulch, plants, fertilizer)
• Special equipment (e.g., stump grinder, lift for tall trees)
• Parking costs (tight city areas can add time/cost)

If you want apples-to-apples comparisons, ask every provider to confirm: “Is VAT included? Is travel included? Is disposal included?”

Garden maintenance prices by task (Switzerland benchmarks)

Many services are quoted as a fixed price or as unit pricing (per m², per tree, per hedge length). The table below helps you sanity-check quotes.

Tip: If a provider quotes hourly, you can still ask for a time estimate (e.g., “2–3 hours plus disposal”) to compare options.

Pricing table (guidelines)

These ranges are consistent with commonly cited Swiss benchmarks (e.g., Houzy for per-m² and per-tree guidance, and Magic Heidi for hourly and travel-fee framing).

Realistic total-cost examples (so you can budget)

Below are worked examples to show how “extras” change the final bill. These are illustrative—your quote may differ.

Example 1: Small lawn mowing in Zurich (easy access)

• Lawn size: 120 m²
• Unit rate: CHF 0.25–0.35/m²
• Estimated mowing cost: CHF 30–42
• Possible add-ons:
  • Travel fee: CHF 30–85
  • Edge trimming / cleanup: may be included or billed hourly

Budget expectation: Often CHF 70–140 total once travel and finishing work are included.
If your garden requires hauling clippings away, disposal can add more.

Example 2: Medium garden maintenance visit (monthly)

• On-site work: 3 hours
• Hourly rate (Zurich professional): CHF 90–100/hr
• Labour subtotal: CHF 270–300
• Add-ons:
  • Travel fee: CHF 30–85
  • Disposal: included sometimes; otherwise billed (ask)

Budget expectation: Roughly CHF 300–450 per visit, depending on what’s included and how much waste is generated.

Example 3: Tree pruning (single tree, higher complexity)

• Quote model: per tree
• Typical range: CHF 400–1,000
• Add-ons that can change the total:
  • Difficult access (no parking, narrow paths)
  • Safety gear, climbing vs lift
  • Waste removal / chipping

Budget expectation: CHF 500–1,200+ is not unusual for complex jobs once disposal and equipment are accounted for.

What affects gardener prices most? (The key cost drivers)

If two quotes look far apart, it’s usually because one of these factors differs.

1) Garden size and time-on-task

Bigger lawns and more planting beds obviously take longer—but layout matters as much as size. A “small but busy” garden can cost more than a large simple lawn.

2) Complexity: slopes, dense planting, and hard-to-reach areas

Steep terrain, lots of borders, tight corners, or delicate planting increases labour time and the risk of damage—both affect pricing.

3) Access, parking, and carrying distance

In Zurich especially, access can be the hidden cost:

• No nearby parking
• Long carry distance for tools and waste
• Stairs or narrow garden entrances

These factors can extend the job time (or increase travel/call-out fees).

4) Waste volume and disposal requirements

Green waste is often where budgets get surprised. Ask:

• Is green waste included?
• If not: do you charge by bag, by volume, or by trip?
• Do you compost on-site, or remove everything?

5) Frequency (one-off vs regular maintenance)

Regular visits are usually more efficient:

• Fewer “overgrown” situations
• Less heavy cutting and cleanup
• Easier planning for the provider

That efficiency often shows up as a better overall annual cost.

6) Seasonality (spring is peak demand)

In Switzerland, demand spikes in spring and early summer. In peak periods you may see:

• Longer waiting times
• Less flexibility on scheduling
• Higher minimum booking expectations (e.g., 2–3 hours)

Extra costs to watch: travel fees, disposal, minimum hours, and VAT

Before you approve a quote, check these items in writing.

Travel / call-out fees (Anfahrtspauschale)

A flat travel fee is common—often cited in the CHF 30–85 range depending on distance and provider policy.

Ask:

• Is travel charged per visit or per hour?
• Is it waived above a certain job size?
• Is it different for Zurich city vs surrounding municipalities?

Green waste disposal (Grünabfall)

Disposal may be:

• Included in the hourly rate
• Included up to a certain volume
• Charged separately (pickup + municipal disposal fee)

Ask: “Will you remove and dispose of all green waste? If yes, how is it priced?”

Minimum booking time

Many professionals have minimums (often 2 hours or more). A quick 30-minute job can still be billed at the minimum.

Ask: “What is your minimum charge per visit?”

Materials and plant costs

If you’re doing planting or soil improvement, materials can become the largest line item:

• soil, compost, mulch
• plants and delivery
• fertilizer and pest prevention products

Ask: “Do you apply a markup on materials, or can I supply them?”

VAT (MwSt.)

Not every quote is equally clear about VAT. Make sure the offer states:

• VAT included or VAT excluded
• total including VAT

One-off visit vs maintenance contract: what’s better value?

A one-time garden clean-up is fine when you’re moving in, preparing for an event, or catching up after a busy season. But if your goal is predictable spend and a consistently tidy garden, a contract often wins.

When a maintenance plan can save money

A contract (monthly or seasonal) tends to be better if:

• You want consistent lawn and hedge control
• You prefer fewer “big clean-up” sessions
• You need priority scheduling in spring
• You manage a property and want planned budgeting

What to include in a maintenance agreement

To avoid misunderstandings, define:

• Frequency (weekly / biweekly / monthly)
• Tasks included (mowing, weeding, pruning, leaf removal)
• Disposal included or not
• Seasonal tasks (scarifying, fertilizing, winter prep)
• Maximum height/volume for hedge and pruning work before it becomes an “extra”
• Billing model (fixed monthly vs hourly with a cap)

How to get accurate gardener quotes (and compare them fairly)

The fastest way to get better quotes is to send better information. Here’s a simple process.

Step 1: Measure what matters (10 minutes)

Prepare:

• Lawn size (m²)
• Planting bed size (m²)
• Hedge length (meters) and approximate height
• Number of trees needing pruning

If you don’t have exact measurements, approximate and mention it.

Step 2: Send photos (they reduce “buffer pricing”)

Share:

• Wide shots of the whole garden
• Close-ups of problem areas (dense weeds, overgrown hedge)
• Access points (gate width, stairs)
• Where waste can be stored/collected

Step 3: Ask for the same quote format from everyone

To compare providers, ask each one to quote using the same structure:

• hourly rate
• estimated hours (or fixed price)
• travel fee
• disposal
• materials (if any)
• VAT
• minimum booking time

Step 4: Ask these vetting questions (copy/paste)

• Are you insured for property damage and accidents?
• Who will do the work—your employee team or subcontractors?
• Is travel included? If not, what is the fee?
• Is green waste disposal included? If not, how is it charged?
• Do you have a minimum booking time?
• Can you provide a written scope of work and a time estimate?
• What is your next available slot (especially in spring)?

FAQ: Gardener costs in Switzerland (Zurich-focused)

How much does a gardener cost per hour in Switzerland?

Typical professional maintenance services are commonly in the range of CHF 70–100 per hour in Switzerland, with Zurich often at the upper end of that range.

What is a typical gardener hourly rate in Zurich?

For professional gardening services in the Zurich area, CHF 90–100/hour is a common benchmark for maintenance work, depending on the provider and what’s included.

Is travel (call-out) usually included in gardener quotes?

Often no. A separate travel fee is common, and you may see flat-fee ranges such as CHF 30–85 depending on distance and provider policy. Always confirm this line item in writing.

How much does lawn mowing cost in Switzerland?

A common unit benchmark is CHF 0.25–0.35 per m² for mowing. The total cost depends on edges/borders, access, slope, and whether clippings are removed.

How much does weeding cost per square meter?

Weeding is often priced around CHF 2–4 per m² as a guideline, depending on weed density, planting complexity, and whether waste removal is included.

Why is tree pruning so expensive?

Tree pruning often requires specialized skills, safety equipment, and careful disposal. In Switzerland, a guideline range can be CHF 400–1,000 per tree, with complexity and access being the biggest cost drivers.

Is it cheaper to hire a gardening company or an independent gardener?

Not always. Companies may have higher base rates but can be faster and more equipped. Independents can be flexible and cost-effective. The best value depends on total cost (time + travel + disposal) and reliability.

What should be included in a professional gardener quote?

At minimum, you want: scope of work, hourly rate or fixed price, estimated time, travel fee, disposal terms, materials, VAT status, and any minimum booking time.

Get a clearer quote (and avoid surprise costs)

If you only take one thing from this guide, make it this: the cheapest hourly rate isn’t always the cheapest job. The best-priced gardeners are usually the ones who define scope clearly, work efficiently, and state travel/disposal/VAT upfront.

Next step: Request 2–3 written quotes and compare them line-by-line (rate, time estimate, travel, disposal, VAT, minimum hours). If you want faster, more accurate offers, send measurements and photos with your request.

CTA: If you’re looking for reliable garden help in Zurich or across Switzerland, get a tailored estimate based on your garden size, access, and the exact tasks you need—so you can budget confidently and book the right service.