A 400mm dig-out for the driveway
The front was dug out 400mm deep with a digger, and the spoil taken away by grab lorry, so the driveway has a deep, strong base that will carry cars without sinking.
Case study · Streatham SW16 · May 2025
Block paving driveway and back garden renovation in Streatham
Gemma's home, between Clapham and Streatham, had the front and back done in one two-week project. At the front, the driveway was dug out 400mm deep with a digger, rebuilt in block paving with concrete edging all round and eco drains connected to a new soakaway, for £7,000. At the back, we fenced the whole garden with around 14 closeboard panels on concrete posts and gravel boards plus a gate, built two brick flower beds 7m long and 80cm wide, and laid a Marshalls block paving patio, for £13,000. £20,000 in total, including VAT.
- Location
- Streatham, SW16
- Client
- Gemma
- Price
- £20,000 inc. VAT
- Time on site
- 2 weeks
- Front
- £7k: block paving drive, eco drains, soakaway
- Back
- £13k: Marshalls patio, fencing, gate, brick beds
Where we started
The brief
Gemma's home sits between Clapham and Streatham. The front garden needed turning into a proper driveway, and the back garden needed new boundaries, planting space and a usable patio.
Doing the front and back together meant one dig-out, one set of deliveries and a single finish across the property. It covers the driveways in Streatham, fencing in Streatham and patios in Streatham we build.
Before & after
The same home, during and after the work
The tricky parts
What went into it
Step by step
How we built it
Digging out the front
The front was dug out 400mm deep with a digger, and the spoil removed by grab lorry.
Mini digger digging out the front garden in Streatham 
Digger and materials delivered for the Streatham driveway Base, edging and drainage
The base went in with concrete edging around the perimeter, and eco drains were connected to a new soakaway.
Driveway base laid and levelled ready for paving 
Eco drain channel across the front of the driveway base Block paving the driveway
The driveway was finished in block paving, locked in by the concrete edging.
New block paving driveway looking out to the street 
Finished block paving driveway from the pavement Fencing and brick beds at the back
Closeboard panels went up on concrete posts and gravel boards all round, with a gate, and two 7m brick flower beds were built.
New closeboard fencing on concrete posts around the back garden 
Brick flower bed going up along the fence The Marshalls block paving patio
The patio area by the house was compacted and laid in Marshalls block paving.
Compacting the patio base behind the house 
Finished Marshalls block paving patio and raised bed
Video
Before and after on video
A look at Gemma's new block paving driveway, with concrete edging and eco drains.
A walk round Gemma's back garden: the Marshalls block paving patio, brick flower beds and new fencing.
The finished work
The finished front and back
“The team were professional and tidy throughout. We love the new driveway and the back garden looks fantastic.”
Budget
What it cost
This project came to £20,000 including VAT: £7,000 for the front driveway (400mm dig-out, block paving, concrete edging, eco drains and a new soakaway) and £13,000 for the back (around 14 closeboard panels on concrete posts and gravel boards, a gate, two 7m brick flower beds and a Marshalls block paving patio), over two weeks. See our driveways in Streatham page for more.
Get a free quote- Price
- £20,000 inc. VAT
- Time on site
- 2 weeks
- Front
- £7k: block paving drive, eco drains, soakaway
Questions
About block paving driveways and garden renovations
Thinking about something similar? These are the questions we hear most.
How much does a block paving driveway cost in Streatham?
Gemma's front driveway in Streatham SW16 cost £7,000 including VAT, covering a 400mm dig-out, block paving, concrete edging all round, eco drains and a new soakaway.
How deep should a driveway be dug out?
A driveway has to carry the weight of cars, so it needs a deep, well-compacted base. This one was dug out 400mm deep before the base and paving went in.
Why connect driveway drains to a soakaway?
Water from a new driveway should not run onto the road. Eco drains collect it and a soakaway lets it drain into the ground on your own property.
How much does a back garden with fencing, beds and a patio cost?
The back of this project cost £13,000 including VAT for around 14 closeboard panels on concrete posts and gravel boards, a gate, two 7m brick flower beds and a Marshalls block paving patio.
Can you do the front and back garden at the same time?
Yes. Doing both together, as here, means one dig-out, one set of deliveries and waste removal, and a matching finish. This whole project took two weeks.
Do you work near Streatham?
Yes, including Clapham, Balham, Streatham Hill and Norbury. See all our landscaping in Streatham.
Free survey
Front and back in one go?
Tell us about your garden and we will arrange a visit and a written quote.
020 3633 5529 info@finelandscape.co.ukFine Landscape Ltd
31 Tylecroft Road, Norbury, London SW16 4BL
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