French Drains in Richmond that quietly move water away from your home and garden. We design the right gradient, install perforated pipe and gravel, and connect to a proper outlet for long-term drainage.
Response within 24 hours
If your lawn stays soggy after rain or water gathers by patios, a well-built French drain can make the difference. We install drainage that suits Richmond’s mix of riverside plots and mature gardens, including properties near Richmond Park and Richmond Green. Each system is planned to intercept groundwater and redirect it safely away from foundations and usable outdoor areas. The result is firmer ground, fewer puddles, and less risk of damp-related issues.
Our team regularly works across TW9 and TW10, covering Kew, Ham, Petersham and Twickenham. Richmond’s Georgian townhouses, Victorian villas and riverside properties often have tight side access, established planting, and valuable hardscaping that needs careful protection. We plan excavations to minimise disruption, keep spoil controlled, and reinstate surfaces neatly. Where gardens sit lower than neighbouring land, we design drainage runs to prevent recurring water pressure.
We start with a site visit to identify water paths, fall, and the best outlet connection. Installation typically includes trench excavation, geotextile membrane, gravel fill and a perforated pipe laid to a calculated gradient design, with options for multiple runs where needed. You’ll get clear recommendations, tidy workmanship, and straightforward maintenance guidance so the system performs year after year. Homeowners choose us for consistent standards, transparent scope, and a 10-year warranty on workmanship.
Richmond gardens often combine heavy, compacted ground with shaded areas and mature roots, which can slow natural drainage. We adapt trench lines around trees, plan spoil removal for restricted access, and schedule deliveries to suit local parking constraints. Where properties are close to the Thames, we design outlets and gradients with high groundwater in mind. We also work with practical site rules that apply across the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
Rated 4.9/5 from over 280 verified reviews
Costs for french drains Richmond area projects usually depend on trench length, depth, access, and where the outlet can connect. As a guide, smaller runs for a side return or patio edge often start around £900–£1,800. Typical garden installations are commonly £2,000–£5,000, while larger systems with multiple runs, deeper excavation, or complex reinstatement can reach £6,000–£10,000+.
Most French drain installations take 1–3 days, depending on the length of trenching and how easy it is to move materials through the property. A short run with straightforward outlet connection can sometimes be completed in a day. Larger gardens, multiple runs, deep excavation, or careful work around paving and planting may take 3–5 days. Weather, ground conditions and reinstatement choices also affect timescales.
In many cases, French drains are classed as garden works and don’t need planning permission. However, rules can change if you’re altering levels significantly, working near a boundary wall, or dealing with listed buildings and conservation areas, which are common locally. If the outlet connects to a surface water system, there may be restrictions on where it can discharge. We’ll advise on the safest approach and check any relevant requirements before work starts.
Yes. We provide a 10-year warranty on workmanship for our French drain installations, covering correct installation of the trench, membrane, gravel and pipework, plus secure connections where we’ve specified them. The warranty is designed to protect you against installation-related failures, such as incorrect falls or poor bedding. It doesn’t cover blockages caused by misuse, accidental damage, or third-party alterations, but we’ll explain simple maintenance to reduce risk.
We tailor the design to your garden and the water problem. Options include different pipe diameters, clean-out access points for easier maintenance, and gravel grades to balance flow with filtration. We can also add multiple runs to capture water from larger lawns or along retaining edges, and use robust geotextile membrane to reduce silt ingress. For outlets, we’ll advise on the best connection point and any discreet surface features needed.
Get your free, no-obligation quote today.