Most hedge removals in Birmingham cost about £70 per metre, with a minimum of about £350, including taking the waste away. A 5m hedge is usually about £350 and a 15m hedge about £1,050. Hedges over 30m are priced after a free survey. If you want to keep the hedge but make it smaller, a reduction usually costs £180–£750 depending on length.
These are the ranges our quote form uses for hedge removal and hedge reduction in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Hedge removal prices
| Hedge length | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Up to 5m | about £350 (minimum charge) |
| 10m | about £700 |
| 15m | about £1,050 |
| 20m | about £1,400, usually after a free survey |
| Over 30m | Free survey |
The rule of thumb is about £70 per metre with a minimum of about £350. Anything where the price comes to more than £1,200 is usually confirmed after a free site visit, because the height and width of long hedges vary a lot.
Hedge reduction prices
Reduction means cutting a hedge back hard in height, width or both, usually because it has got out of hand. It is a bigger job than a trim.
| Hedge length | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Under 5m | £180–£280 |
| 5–15m | £280–£450 |
| 15–30m | £450–£750 |
Hedge trimming prices
A routine trim to keep a hedge in shape is about £10 per metre, with a minimum of about £150. See hedge trimming.
What affects the price
Length
Price is mainly set by length, which is why removal is quoted per metre. Measure along the hedge, or pace it out.
Height and width
A 4m-tall Leylandii hedge that is 2m deep produces far more waste than a waist-high privet hedge of the same length. The per-metre figure assumes a typical garden hedge. Very tall or deep hedges are the ones a specialist will want to see.
The stumps and roots
Removal takes the hedge down to near ground level. Ask whether the price includes grinding out the stumps, because that is sometimes priced separately. See the stump grinding cost guide: several stumps on one visit cost about 1.8 to 2.5 times the single-stump price, not one price per stump.
Access
If all the waste has to come through the house, or the hedge is more than 20m from where the van can park, expect about 15% more.
Keeping the chippings
If you keep the chippings for mulch, the price is typically about £75 less.
Nesting birds
Nesting birds are protected by law. Removing or cutting back a hedge in spring and summer needs a check for active nests first, and work may have to wait. See hedge cutting and nesting season.
Leylandii hedges
Leylandii are the most common hedge people want removed in Birmingham gardens. They grow fast, get very tall and do not regrow once cut below the green growth, so many owners decide to take them out rather than keep cutting. Removal follows the same £70 per metre guide, but tall Leylandii produce a lot of waste, so expect the specialist to want clear photos or a visit. Our Leylandii hedge removal guide covers roots, soil and what to plant afterwards.
Worked examples
- An 8m Leylandii hedge along an Erdington back garden, van parked close by: 8 x £70 is about £560.
- A 4m privet hedge at the front of a Kings Heath terrace: 4 x £70 is £280, so the minimum of about £350 applies.
- A 12m conifer hedge in a Harborne garden where everything goes through the house: 12 x £70 is £840, plus 15% for access, about £970.
- A 10m Leylandii in Four Oaks that you want to keep but bring down in height: a reduction in the 5–15m band, about £280–£450.
- A 25m laurel hedge in Solihull that needs a routine trim: about £250.
Hedge costs in the West Midlands
Many Birmingham and Solihull gardens were planted with conifer hedges for privacy, and a lot of them are now much taller than intended. That is why removal and hard reduction are common requests here. Terraces in the inner suburbs often have no side access, which is where the access uplift applies.
We do not quote a national average. Published national figures vary and rarely say whether stump grinding or waste disposal is included. The prices on this page include waste removal.
How to get a fixed price
- Fill in the quote form and choose hedge work. You get an instant price range.
- Add photos of the whole hedge from each end, with a person or a door for scale, and give the length.
- We pass your enquiry to one vetted local specialist for your area, who confirms a fixed price with you directly.
What to photograph for a quote
Good photos usually mean a fixed price without a visit. More photo tips.
- The whole thing, with your house or fence in shot for scale
- The base or ground level and what’s around it: walls, sheds, beds
- The route in from the road: side gate, steps, the path through
What to check before you pay
- Insurance. Ask for a current public liability certificate.
- NPTC or equivalent certificates for anyone using a chainsaw or working at height. See do tree surgeons need to be qualified?
- Waste carrier registration. Anyone taking your waste must be registered with the Environment Agency. Check the public register on GOV.UK.
- A written quote that says whether stumps are ground out and all waste taken away.
- No cash-only demands. Expect a receipt and bank transfer.
Questions
How much does it cost to remove a Leylandii hedge?
Usually about £70 per metre including waste removal, with a minimum of about £350. A 10m Leylandii hedge is about £700. Very tall or very long hedges, and anything over about £1,200, are priced after a free survey.
Does the price include removing the roots?
Not always. Removal usually takes the hedge to near ground level. Ask whether stump grinding is included. If not, several stumps done together cost much less per stump than one at a time.
How much does it cost to cut a hedge down in height?
A hard reduction costs about £180–£280 for a hedge under 5m long, £280–£450 for 5–15m and £450–£750 for 15–30m.
How much does hedge trimming cost?
About £10 per metre, with a minimum of about £150. A 20m hedge is about £200.
Can I remove a hedge in spring or summer?
Only if there are no active nests. Disturbing a nesting bird is an offence, so the hedge has to be checked first. See hedge cutting and nesting season.
Do I need permission to remove a hedge?
Garden hedges usually do not need permission, but check if you live in a conservation area or the hedge contains protected trees. See trees in conservation areas.