Narrow, steep access
The way in was narrow and very steep uphill, which shaped how the whole job was run and had a big effect on the price.
Case study · Purley CR8 · May 2024
Garden room concrete base and retaining wall in Purley
Pedro needed a level concrete base for a garden room on a sloping garden in Purley. We removed the old sleepers, broke out the existing base, built a 20cm concrete wall around it to hold the raised level, and poured a new concrete base. Access was narrow and steeply uphill, so the concrete came by truck and pump. Ten days, £15,000 including VAT, with the access making a big difference to the price.
- Location
- Purley, CR8
- Client
- Pedro
- Price
- £15,000 inc. VAT
- Time on site
- 10 days
- Wall
- 20cm concrete, holding the raised level
- Access
- Narrow and steeply uphill; truck and pump
Where we started
The brief
Pedro wanted a concrete base ready for a garden room, which another contractor would build afterwards. The garden sits on a slope, so the base needed a strong wall around it to hold the raised level.
The hard part was getting there. The access was narrow and very steep uphill, and that made a huge difference to the price. It is a good example of the groundworks in Purley and retaining walls in Purley we take on.
The tricky parts
What went into it
Step by step
How we built it
Removing the sleepers and old base
The sleepers came out and the existing concrete base was broken up.
Old concrete base broken up in a garden in Purley Shuttering the wall
Timber shuttering was built up and braced to form the 20cm concrete wall around the base.
Timber shuttering for the concrete wall, seen from the lawn 
Braced shuttering running along the fence Pouring the wall and base
With the area behind the shuttering filled, a concrete truck and pump brought the concrete up the steep, narrow access for the wall and base.
Broken concrete and hardcore filling the raised area
The finished work
The build stages
Budget
What it cost
This project cost £15,000 including VAT: removing the sleepers, breaking out the existing base, a 20cm concrete wall all around, and a new concrete base, supplied and installed over ten days. The narrow, steep access and the need for a concrete truck and pump made a huge difference to the price. See our groundworks in Purley page for more.
Get a free quote- Price
- £15,000 inc. VAT
- Time on site
- 10 days
- Wall
- 20cm concrete, holding the raised level
Questions
About garden room bases on difficult sites
Thinking about something similar? These are the questions we hear most.
How much does a garden room base with a retaining wall cost in Purley?
Pedro's project in Purley CR8 cost £15,000 including VAT over ten days, covering removal of the sleepers and old base, a 20cm concrete wall and a new concrete base. Difficult access made a huge difference to that price.
Does access affect the price of a concrete base?
Yes, a lot. On this job the access was narrow and steeply uphill, which added considerably to the cost.
How do you get concrete up a steep or narrow access?
A concrete pump can carry it from a truck on the road to the work area, as on this job.
Why does a base on a slope need a wall?
A base on a slope has to be level, so one side ends up raised. A wall, 20cm of concrete here, holds that raised level in place.
Do you build the garden room as well?
On this job another contractor is building the garden room, and we did the wall and base. Ask us about your project and we will tell you what we can cover.
Free survey
Tricky access or a sloping garden?
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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