Lidstein
The short answer: Plan 5 to 15 % of the construction sum for outdoor works — usually 15,000 to 60,000 € for a detached house. Laid turf costs 10–20 €/m², a slab path with proper sub-base 80–150 €/m², fencing on a concrete plinth 200–450 € per running metre. The smartest moment: right after the build, while machines and team are still on site.
Why does the garden belong to the building project?
Every new build and every gut renovation leaves behind a plot that was a construction site: compacted ground, excavation leftovers, no paths, no green. Deferring the outdoor works "for later" means paying twice — mobilisation, machines and earthworks all over again, while access to the house stays provisional for months. Done straight after the build, the same crew handles grading, surfaces and planting in one go — at Lidstein as part of the overall schedule.
What do the individual trades cost?
| Item | Scope | Guide price |
|---|---|---|
| Earthworks & grading | Loosening, levelling, topsoil | 10–25 €/m² |
| Rolled turf | Fine grading, laying, rolling, starter fertiliser | 10–20 €/m² |
| Slab path / terrace | Large-format slabs on grit bed with edging | 80–150 €/m² |
| Driveway | Stepping slabs or paving, load-bearing sub-base | 60–140 €/m² |
| Fencing | Metal fence on concrete plinth or wall | 200–450 €/rm |
| Planting beds | Edging, substrate, planting, bark mulch | 40–120 €/m² |
Guide prices from Lidstein project practice, 2026. Slopes, retaining walls and complex drainage sit above these ranges.
In which order is the scheme built?
- Earthworks: site leftovers out, soil de-compacted, terrain graded — the basis for everything else.
- Services & drainage: outdoor sockets, garden water, lighting cables and drains go in while the ground is open.
- Surfaces & edging: terrace, paths and driveway on a load-bearing sub-base; edges and pebble bands frame the areas.
- Fence & walls: plinths, posts, panels — now, before the lawn goes down.
- Green last: fine grading, turf, beds and planting — the most delicate layer comes last.
The most common mistakes — and how to avoid them
- Turf on rubble: compacted ground laced with debris dries the lawn out in patches. De-compact and add topsoil first, then plant.
- Paths without sub-base: slabs laid straight into soil tilt after the first winter. A grit bed on compacted hardcore lasts decades.
- Forgotten services: retrofitting outdoor light, socket and tap means digging up the new garden again.
- Wrong season: turf in high summer demands daily watering — spring and autumn take the stress out of rooting.
Frequently asked questions
What do outdoor works cost on a new build?
As a rule of thumb for 2026: around 5 to 15 percent of the construction sum. For a detached house that usually means 15,000 to 60,000 euros — from a simple lawn with paths to a complete scheme with terrace, fencing, driveway and planting.
What does laid turf cost?
Including ground preparation, fine grading, rolling and starter fertiliser: roughly 10 to 20 euros per square metre. The turf itself is cheap — quality is decided in the substrate: without a clean grade, rolled turf quickly turns patchy.
When is the best time to lay turf?
Spring and autumn: the soil is warm and moist enough for rooting without heat stress. In high summer fresh turf needs daily watering; in frost it will not root.
Does Lidstein do landscaping without a building project?
Yes — but the most economical moment is right after construction or renovation: machines, team and site set-up are already in place, and earthworks can be coordinated with the excavation.
Plot still a building site?
Send us photos and the approximate area — you will get an honest assessment of what your outdoor works will cost.