Shrub trim in Exeter
Professional shrub trim services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£160
Typical Duration
1-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Shrubs trimmed back into shape so your garden looks cared-for instead of overgrown. All waste removed, everything left tidy.
When Shrubs Take Over
You plant a nice compact shrub, turn your back for a year or two, and suddenly it's blocking the path, covering the windows, or just looking like a scruffy mess. It happens to everyone - especially in Devon where everything grows like mad.
💡 Pro tip: Regular light trimming is easier (and cheaper) than hacking back years of growth. But I can tackle either - overgrown jungle or routine maintenance.
The Right Way vs The Quick Way
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Trimmed to suit the plant type | Everything hacked flat |
| Natural shape maintained | Brown patches showing |
| Timed right for flowering | Flowers ruined for the year |
| Waste removed and disposed | Pile of cuttings left for you |
What You Get
🔧 The Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assess | Quick look at what needs doing, confirm the approach |
| Trim | Careful cutting to shape, respecting the plant's natural form |
| Clear | All waste bagged up and removed |
📦 You're Left With
- Neat, shaped shrubs
- Clear paths and views
- No mess, no cuttings pile
- Advice on when to do it again
Pricing Guide
| Garden Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Few small shrubs | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-£85 |
| Average garden | 2-3 hrs | £110-£160 |
| Large/overgrown garden | 3-4 hrs | £160-£210 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Final price depends on shrub size, number, and overgrowth level.
Perfect For...
✅ Overgrown gardens - got away from you, need bringing back under control
✅ Pre-sale tidying - making the garden look cared-for before viewings
✅ Regular maintenance - keep on top of it without the effort
✅ Elderly or time-poor - physically can't manage it or just don't have time
Why Choose Us for Shrub trim in Exeter?
Shrubs trimmed back to a manageable size
Shaped neatly without destroying them
All cuttings and waste removed
Advice on ongoing maintenance
What to Expect
Step 1: Walk Around
You show me what needs doing, I give you an honest assessment of time needed and cost. If something's better left until a different season, I'll say so.
Step 2: Trim & Shape
I work through methodically - neat cuts, natural shapes, no brown patches showing. Electric trimmer for hedges, secateurs for detailed work.
Step 3: Clear & Tidy
All cuttings bagged, paths swept, garden left tidy. You just enjoy the improved view.
🔧 DIY Tips
Fancy having a go yourself? Here's what you need to know:
🔧 Tools needed
- Sharp secateurs for small branches
- Hedge trimmer (electric or manual) for larger areas
- Loppers for thicker branches
- Bags or a tarp for collecting cuttings
- Gloves (holly and berberis are spiky!)
✂️ How to trim without ruining plants
- Step back regularly - it's easy to take too much
- Cut just above a leaf node or bud (not mid-stem)
- Aim for a natural shape, not a perfect box (unless it's formal topiary)
- Remove dead or crossing branches first
- Taper the top slightly narrower than the base (lets light reach lower branches)
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Trimming spring-flowering shrubs in winter (you'll cut off all the flower buds)
- Taking too much off in one go (stresses the plant)
- Using blunt tools (causes ragged cuts that don't heal well)
- Leaving a pile of cuttings that takes months to compost
💡 Pro trick: For overgrown shrubs, take them back gradually over 2-3 seasons rather than scalping them in one go. Gentler on the plant and you avoid ugly brown patches.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌿 Council waste: If you've got green waste collection, I can leave the bagged cuttings for you to put out. Otherwise I'll take it all with me.
Multiple gardens? Some customers get their elderly parents' gardens done at the same time. Can usually do both in one visit if they're local to each other.
Not sure what's what? No problem. I know my laurel from my photinia and I'll make sure everything's trimmed at the right time for its type.
Frequently Asked Questions
What shrubs can you trim?
Pretty much anything - laurel, box, privet, holly, lavender, hydrangeas, you name it. I'll trim to suit the plant type and time of year. If something needs specialist tree surgery, I'll tell you honestly.
Will you take the cuttings away?
Yes, everything goes. I bag it up and dispose of it properly - your garden's left tidy, not with a massive pile of clippings you don't know what to do with.
When's the best time to trim shrubs?
Depends on the shrub. Spring-flowering ones get trimmed after flowering, summer ones in late winter or early spring. If you're not sure, I'll advise when I see them - some things are fine year-round.
Can you just tidy them up or do you do proper shaping?
Either. Some people want a light tidy, others want a proper reshape. I'll work to whatever you prefer - just show me what you're after and I'll make it happen.
How often should shrubs be trimmed?
Fast growers like laurel might need doing twice a year. Slow ones like box might only need it annually. I'll give you honest advice based on what you've got growing.
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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