A New Lower Hourly Rate and a Price Freeze for 2027
A consistent rate, a consistent commitment — introducing a fairer and more transparent approach to Garden Butler pricing.
At Earthly Comforts, we believe professional garden maintenance should be built upon reliability, personal attention, straightforward pricing and a genuine commitment to every client whose garden we care for.
Every garden is different, and every client has their own requirements. However, one thing should remain consistent: the standard of care, professionalism and commitment we bring to our work.
After reviewing our Garden Butler pricing arrangements, we have decided to reduce our standard maintenance rate from £26.50 to £25.00 per gardener-hour, effective 1 October 2026.
We are also pleased to confirm that our new standard rate of £25.00 will remain unchanged throughout 2027.
This decision is part of our broader commitment to a simpler, fairer, and more consistent pricing structure across our Garden Butler service.
Why Are We Making These Changes?
Over the years, Earthly Comforts has developed and grown, and with that growth have come changes in how we operate, the services we provide, and how we manage our pricing.
Some of our longstanding clients continue to benefit from historical pricing arrangements introduced when the business operated under a different structure. Meanwhile, other clients have been charged our more recently published standard rates.
Although these differences developed naturally as the business evolved, we believe it’s time to introduce a more consistent approach.
Our guiding principle is straightforward: every client deserves the same level of professional care, attention, and commitment, regardless of the size of their garden or how long they have been with us.
A consistent hourly rate supports that principle. It allows us to maintain clear expectations, transparent charging and the same professional standards across every garden we look after.
We are also mindful of the financial pressures many households face. With living costs continuing to affect family budgets, we wanted our new standard rate to reflect both the value of our service and our desire to keep professional garden maintenance reasonably affordable.
That is why, despite increasing operating costs, we have chosen to reduce our published standard rate from £26.50 to £25.00 per gardener-hour.
This is not a reduction in the quality or commitment of our service. It is a considered adjustment to our pricing.
Fairness, Consistency and Sustainability
Like many small businesses, Earthly Comforts continues to face rising employment expenses, equipment costs, essential services and other financial responsibilities associated with operating a professional business.
We must balance these realities with our responsibility to the clients who trust us.
As part of this review, we are therefore bringing existing Garden Butler pricing arrangements towards one consistent standard rate.
Some clients will benefit from a reduction, while others will see adjustments to historical rates that are currently below our published standard.
We appreciate that increases are never particularly welcome, especially for clients who have supported us over many years. However, maintaining significantly different hourly rates for the same standard of service is neither the fairest nor the most sustainable approach.
Our intention is not simply to increase or decrease prices. It is to establish a pricing structure that is understandable, consistent and capable of supporting the professional service we want to continue providing.
A fair price must work for both the client and the business delivering the service.
What Does This Mean for Our Clients?
Our published standard Garden Butler rate is now £25.00 per gardener-hour, down from £26.50, and will remain unchanged throughout 2027.
For existing clients previously paying £26.50, the new rate applies to all Garden Butler maintenance carried out from 1 October 2026 and will be reflected in their October invoices, issued at month-end.
New Garden Butler clients will also be offered the £25.00 standard rate.
For clients whose existing arrangements differ from the standard rate, we will communicate any necessary changes individually, with advance notice before they take effect.
As always, we charge for the actual time worked, without rounding up. Clients pay only for the gardening time provided.
A Consistent Rate, A Consistent Commitment
Although the size, complexity and requirements of individual gardens may differ, our professional commitment should never depend on what a client has historically paid.
Whether we are maintaining a small courtyard garden, caring for an established family garden or undertaking more demanding seasonal maintenance, every client deserves our attention, knowledge and care.
Our aim is to provide a dependable Garden Butler service that clients can trust, supported by a pricing structure that is fair, transparent and consistent.
We recognise that some clients may need to reconsider their gardening arrangements as historical rates are adjusted, and we would be genuinely sorry to lose anyone whose garden we have had the pleasure of maintaining.
Nevertheless, we believe that establishing a consistent standard is the responsible way forward for Earthly Comforts and the people who rely upon us.
Looking Ahead
Earthly Comforts has always been about more than simply maintaining gardens. We have worked hard to build a business founded upon personal relationships, professional pride, reliability and a genuine enjoyment of what we do.
As the business continues to develop, we want those principles to remain at the heart of everything we offer.
By introducing a lower standard Garden Butler rate, freezing it throughout 2027, and gradually bringing historical pricing arrangements into line, we believe we are establishing a clearer and more sustainable foundation for the years ahead.
Our pricing may be changing, but our commitment to quality workmanship, reliable garden maintenance, personal service and honest, transparent charging remains unchanged.
We thank all our clients, both longstanding and new, for their continued trust, understanding and support.
Earthly Comforts
Professional garden care, straightforward pricing and a personal approach.