Looking for a landscaper across Antrim & Newtownabbey? NI Trades is an introduction service that matches Northern Ireland homeowners with landscapers who have passed our application-stage checks. Antrim & Newtownabbey is one of 11 NI council districts; tradespeople choose the councils they cover, so picking a council means you reach every landscaper who works anywhere in this district. Post your job in two minutes - only profiles of landscapers interested in your specific job are revealed, and your contact details stay private until you choose who to talk to. Insurance, credentials and references are checked at application stage only - please verify current insurance and credentials directly with any tradesperson before work begins or any money is paid.
What hiring a landscaper in Antrim & Newtownabbey looks like
Antrim & Newtownabbey is a commuter belt on the northern edge of Belfast, home to around 145,000 people across towns like Newtownabbey, Antrim and Ballyclare. The district mixes large post-war and modern commuter estates around Newtownabbey and Glengormley, older town-centre stock in Antrim, and dispersed rural housing toward Lough Neagh.
For a landscaper that usually means patios, fencing, planting and garden builds. Newtownabbey sits on the Phoenix gas network and Antrim town is on the firmus network, but rural parts of the district remain largely oil-heated, in line with the NI pattern of roughly two-thirds of homes on oil.
Antrim & Newtownabbey at a glance
Population
around 145,000 (2021 Census)
Main towns
Newtownabbey, Antrim, Ballyclare
District
a commuter belt on the northern edge of Belfast
Heating
Newtownabbey sits on the Phoenix gas network and Antrim town is on the firmus network, but rural parts of the district remain largely oil-heated, in line with the NI pattern of roughly two-thirds of homes on oil.
Extension Building Control fee
around £385 (Full Plans, 2026)
Sources: NISRA Census 2021 (population); each council's published Building Control fees schedule (2026 snapshot, fees rise each April); Phoenix Energy, firmus energy and the Gas to the West project (gas-network coverage).
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How it works
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Post your job
Describe what needs doing and confirm your job is in Antrim & Newtownabbey. Tradespeople see only the job - never your contact details.
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Get notified of interest
When a vetted tradesperson expresses interest you get a notification. Maximum 3 per job - no spam.
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Choose and connect
Only profiles of tradespeople interested in your specific job are revealed. You decide who to contact.
Building Control and approvals in Antrim & Newtownabbey
If your landscaper job involves building, electrical, heating or drainage work that needs sign-off, it is approved by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council's own Building Control office, not a UK-wide body. A typical domestic extension on the Full Plans route costs around £385 in Antrim & Newtownabbey as of 2026, and Building Control fees across the 11 NI councils rise each April.
Before work starts, check whether you also need planning permission: see our NI planning permission guide and NI Building Regulations guide. Council Building Control applications across Northern Ireland go through Building Control NI.
Common services
- Garden design & planting schemes
- Patio laying (porcelain, natural stone, block paving)
- Turfing & lawn installation
- Fencing & timber gates
- Driveway installation & resurfacing
- Composite & timber decking
- Water features & garden ponds
- Tree planting & hedge laying
- Garden clearance & waste removal
- Artificial grass installation
- Raised beds & vegetable gardens
- Outdoor lighting & irrigation
What to ask before hiring
- Do you offer a design service with plans?
- What materials do you recommend for NI's climate?
- Do you remove and dispose of all waste?
- Are you fully insured?
- Will you comply with permitted development rules for driveways?
- Can I see completed projects?
- What is your warranty on workmanship?
Typical costs in Northern Ireland
| Job type | Typical price | Notes |
|---|
| Garden design consultation | £200–£600 | Includes planting plan |
| Patio laying (per m²) | £80–£200/m² | Porcelain or natural stone, supply and fit |
| Block paving driveway (per m²) | £80–£150/m² | Supply, excavation and fit |
| New turf (per m²) | £15–£30/m² | Preparation and laying |
| Composite decking (per m²) | £100–£200/m² | Supply and fit |
| Garden fencing (per metre) | £60–£150/m | Closeboard or featherboard |
| Garden clearance | £200–£800 | Depends on garden size and overgrowth |
| Artificial grass (per m²) | £50–£100/m² | Premium product supply and fit |
Qualifications & accreditations to look for
RHS Level 2/3 Horticulture
Royal Horticultural Society — plant knowledge
BALI Member
British Association of Landscape Industries
APL Member
Association of Professional Landscapers
CSCS Landscaping Card
Construction Skills Certification for hard landscaping
Public Liability Insurance
Minimum £1m — required on NI Trades
Frequently asked questions
What paving material is best for the NI climate?
Porcelain is excellent for NI — frost-proof, non-porous and very low maintenance. Natural sandstone and limestone are beautiful but require sealing and more maintenance. Concrete block paving is very durable and cost-effective for driveways. Avoid soft limestone or marble which deteriorate quickly in wet, freeze-thaw conditions.
Do I need planning permission for a new driveway?
If you are using a permeable surface (gravel, permeable block paving, resin) you generally do not need permission. If using an impermeable surface such as tarmac or solid concrete over 5m², you need either permitted development rights or planning permission, and drainage to a soakaway or border must be included. Your landscaper should advise on compliant options.
How long does new turf take to establish?
Turf typically takes 3–4 weeks to root in and become usable in normal conditions. During this time, avoid walking on it and water daily during dry spells. In NI's cooler, wetter climate turf establishes well. Avoid laying turf in very dry July/August conditions or during frost.
Is artificial grass a good idea?
Modern artificial grass is much more realistic than it was 10 years ago. It is particularly practical in shaded areas where natural grass struggles, or in high-traffic gardens with children or pets. It does require occasional brushing and hosing down. Environmental considerations are worth factoring in — it does not support biodiversity or absorb rainfall in the same way as natural grass.
Helpful NI guides for hiring a landscaper
Important
Check whether planning permission is required before any major landscaping. In particular, driveways must use permeable materials or include drainage under planning rules introduced in 2008. A professional landscaper will advise you.
Antrim & Newtownabbey is part of our Northern Ireland directory. NI Trades is an introduction service, we list tradespeople who have passed our application-stage checks, but we are not party to any contract you enter into with a tradesperson. See how we vet tradespeople or browse all trade categories.