Those grand Victorian gardens throughout Dulwich deserve foundations as solid as the homes they surround. Proper groundworks transform ambitious landscaping dreams into lasting reality, especially when dealing with the clay-heavy soil that characterises much of SE21 and SE22.
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Dulwich's leafy streets hide countless garden renovation stories - from crumbling Edwardian pathways to subsiding 1960s patios that never quite worked. Behind every successful transformation lies meticulous groundwork preparation. The difference between a patio that lasts decades and one that cracks within seasons often comes down to those crucial first stages nobody sees.
Clay expansion poses particular challenges across the Village and East Dulwich areas. Temperature fluctuations cause ground movement that lesser contractors overlook. Correct depth excavation, appropriate sub-base materials, and strategic drainage channels prevent the heartbreak of watching new stonework crack. Each project demands assessment of existing conditions - Victorian properties often feature forgotten soakaways or old coal cellars that impact modern installations.
Twenty years navigating Dulwich's unique ground conditions means anticipating problems before they arise. Local knowledge matters when you're excavating near mature plane trees or working around original boundary walls.
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Basic patio groundworks typically range £80-120 per square metre, though properties near Dulwich Park with significant level changes might see costs reach £150. Driveway foundations generally start around £100 per square metre, increasing where extensive drainage work proves necessary.
Absolutely - from the conservation areas around Dulwich Village (SE21) through to the bustling heart of Lordship Lane (SE22) and down towards Herne Hill (SE24). Recent projects include properties on Court Lane, Burbage Road, and throughout the Dulwich Estate.
Standard patio bases take 3-5 days including excavation and compaction. Larger driveway projects typically require 7-10 days, particularly when incorporating drainage systems. Weather permitting, most domestic groundworks complete within a fortnight.
Every foundation we create carries decade-long protection against settlement or structural failure. This comprehensive coverage includes all excavation, sub-base installation, and drainage elements - essentially everything below your finished surface remains guaranteed for ten full years.
Preservation of established trees remains paramount, especially given Dulwich's protected status. Specialist techniques including bridging systems and permeable sub-bases protect root systems whilst creating stable foundations. Each case requires individual assessment, but solutions exist for most scenarios.
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