Garden Groundworks in Chelsea built for high-value homes and tight access. From site clearance and excavation to drainage, foundations and grading, we prepare gardens properly. Serving SW3 and SW10 with a clean, controlled approach.
Response within 24 hours
Whether you’re upgrading a courtyard off King’s Road or preparing a rear garden near the Saatchi Gallery, strong ground preparation is what makes the finish last. Our groundworks cover site clearance, excavation, levelling and grading, plus drainage and foundations where needed. We also plan access and waste removal so the job runs smoothly. The result is a stable base ready for paving, lawns, planting, terraces or garden rooms.
Chelsea properties often bring constraints that change how groundworks must be delivered. Georgian townhouses and Victorian mansions can have narrow side returns, delicate party walls and protected finishes that demand careful handling. Luxury apartments may involve managed access routes, timed deliveries and strict noise controls. Our team is used to working around these realities, keeping disruption low while maintaining premium standards.
We start with a site visit to check levels, soil condition, drainage routes and any signs of historic issues. You’ll receive a clear scope covering excavation depths, spoil volumes, access planning and reinstatement, with tidy waste removal included. Work is carried out with controlled compaction and accurate levels, so the next trade can build without surprises. Homeowners trust us because we communicate clearly, protect surfaces, and stand behind the workmanship.
In the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, access and parking can be the biggest challenge, especially around SW3 and SW10. We plan deliveries, spoil removal and loading times to suit local restrictions and neighbours. Ground conditions vary from made ground in older plots to compacted layers from previous landscaping, so we test dig and adjust excavation and compaction accordingly. Where properties sit close to boundaries, we use careful methods to protect walls, paving and services.
Rated 4.9/5 from over 280 verified reviews
Costs depend on access, spoil volume, drainage needs and how much excavation is required. For smaller Chelsea gardens, basic site clearance and levelling often starts around £1,500–£3,500. More involved projects with excavation, new sub-bases, drainage runs and foundations typically fall between £4,000–£12,000+. Basement-level access, restricted parking, or large waste volumes can increase costs; we itemise this after a site visit.
Most garden groundworks take 2–7 working days, depending on size and complexity. Simple clearance, grading and levelling can be completed in a couple of days, while drainage and foundations may extend the programme to one or two weeks. Timescales are affected by access routes, skip permits, weather, and whether we uncover unexpected services or old foundations. We provide a realistic schedule and keep you updated daily.
Many garden groundworks are permitted and don’t require planning permission, especially when you’re repairing or preparing a garden for landscaping. However, rules can change if you’re altering drainage outfalls, working near protected trees, affecting a party wall, or creating hardstanding that changes surface-water run-off. We check the likely requirements for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, advise on permits (including skips), and can coordinate with your designer or architect.
Yes. Our groundworks come with a 10-year warranty on workmanship for installed sub-bases, foundations and drainage elements we supply and fit, provided the build above is completed to specification and the area isn’t later altered by others. The warranty covers issues such as settlement caused by poor compaction or incorrect installation. We also document levels, materials and methods so you have a clear record for future works.
We tailor the build-up to the finish you want and the site constraints. Popular options include MOT Type 1 sub-bases for paving, reinforced concrete foundations for walls or garden rooms, French drains and soakaways for surface water, and geotextile membranes for separation and stability. For premium schemes, we can prepare bases for porcelain, natural stone, resin-bound surfaces or timber decking. We’ll recommend the right specification after assessing levels, soil and drainage.
Get your free, no-obligation quote today.