Case study · Hackbridge SM6 · May 2026
Andrew wanted a front garden that stops the weeds and needs no looking after, so we laid 4-inch plain concrete reinforced with A142 steel mesh and built a concrete retaining wall along the front. At the back, we laid a beige 60 × 90cm porcelain patio and footpath, later clad the step to match, and added panda gravel along the fence and path. Full dig-out, supply and installation over 10 days, £12,000 all in, including VAT.
Where we started
Andrew's house in Hackbridge had a front garden that kept filling with weeds, and a back garden that was mostly bare soil. The front needed to be practical and easy to look after; the back needed a proper patio and a path.
For the front, Andrew asked for plain concrete: no planting, no joints for weeds to grow through, and nothing to maintain. For the back, beige porcelain gave a warm, clean finish. It is a good example of the front gardens and patios we build around Carshalton and Hackbridge.
Before & after
The tricky parts
Step by step
The front garden was fully dug out, removing the weeds and soil, ready for the new concrete.
A concrete retaining wall was formed along the front, and A142 steel reinforcement mesh was laid across the area before the pour.
The concrete was poured 4 inches thick over the mesh and finished to a plain, even surface.
At the back, the beige 60 × 90cm porcelain was laid as a patio and a footpath along the house.
On a later visit, the back step was paved and clad in the same porcelain, and panda gravel was added along the fence and the path.
The finished work
Budget
This project came to £12,000 including VAT, all in, over 10 days on site: the full dig-out, the 4-inch A142-reinforced concrete front garden and retaining wall, the beige porcelain patio and footpath at the back, the step cladding and the panda gravel, with all materials and labour. See our front gardens in Carshalton and Hackbridge page for more options.
Get a free quoteQuestions
Thinking about something similar? These are the questions we hear most.
Andrew's project in Hackbridge SM6 came to £12,000 including VAT, all in, over 10 days: a full dig-out, a 4-inch concrete front garden reinforced with A142 mesh and a retaining wall, and a beige 60 × 90cm porcelain patio and path at the back with a clad step and panda gravel.
Yes. A plain concrete slab has no joints for weeds to grow through and needs nothing more than an occasional sweep or wash, which is why Andrew chose it for the front.
A142 is a standard steel reinforcement mesh made of 6mm bars at 200mm centres. Laid in the slab, it holds the concrete together, spreads loads and helps control cracking as it cures and the ground moves.
For a garden or pedestrian area, around 100mm (4 inches) of concrete on a firm base is typical, which is what we laid at Andrew's. Areas that take cars usually need more.
A retaining wall holds back soil where the ground level changes, such as at a front boundary, and gives new paving or concrete a solid, clean edge.
Panda gravel is a decorative mix of black and white stones. It is often used beside patios and paths for a crisp, contrasting finish that drains freely.
Yes, including Carshalton, Wallington, Sutton and Mitcham.
Free survey
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
Free enquiry. No obligation.