Garden Groundworks in Denmark Hill that set your project up properly from day one. We handle clearance, excavation, levelling, drainage and foundations with clean, controlled working in SE5.
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If your garden plan involves patios, steps, turf or a new layout, the groundwork decides how well it performs. We deliver precise site clearance, excavation and levelling for homes around Denmark Hill station and Ruskin Park. From correcting awkward slopes to preparing bases for paving and structures, we keep everything measured and stable. Waste is removed promptly, leaving your garden ready for the next stage.
Denmark Hill’s mix of Victorian terraces, Georgian houses and purpose-built flats often comes with tight side access and shared boundaries. We’re used to working on SE5 plots where levels change quickly between rear extensions, old garden walls and outbuildings. Our team plans access routes, protects paths and neighbours’ fences, and schedules deliveries to reduce disruption. The result is a clean, buildable platform that suits period properties as well as modern developments.
Our process starts with a site visit to confirm levels, drainage routes and any foundation requirements. We mark out finished heights, install sub-bases and grading, then test falls so water moves away from buildings. You’ll get clear communication, tidy working practices and documented handover notes for what’s been installed. Local homeowners choose us for dependable timelines, careful workmanship and a 10-year warranty on qualifying groundwork elements.
Working in the London Borough of Southwark often means managing restricted parking, controlled waste disposal and narrow access typical of Victorian streets. Ground conditions can vary, so we assess soil, existing drains and historic garden structures before digging. Near King’s College Hospital and Denmark Hill station, we plan deliveries and collections to avoid peak congestion. Our approach keeps neighbours considered and sites compliant from start to finish.
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Costs vary with access, spoil volume, depth of dig and whether drainage or foundations are needed. As a guide, small clearance and levelling jobs often start from £900–£2,000. More involved groundwork for a patio base with excavation, sub-base, grading and waste removal is commonly £2,500–£6,500. Projects including new drainage runs or structural foundations can range from £6,000–£15,000+ depending on scope.
Most garden groundworks take between 2 and 7 working days, depending on size and complexity. A straightforward dig-out and level for a patio base may be 2–4 days, while drainage, multiple levels, or foundation work can extend to 1–3 weeks. Timescales are affected by access (narrow side passages), skip permits, hidden obstructions such as old concrete, and weather impacting excavation and compaction.
Many garden groundworks are permitted development, especially when you’re repairing or replacing like-for-like surfaces and managing levels within your boundary. However, permission can be needed if you’re significantly altering levels near boundaries, affecting drainage to the public highway, or working on listed buildings or in conservation areas. We’ll advise what applies, check Southwark guidance, and help you arrange skip permits or permissions if required.
We provide a 10-year warranty on qualifying groundwork elements we install, such as sub-bases, compaction, falls/levels and drainage runs, when built to our specification and maintained appropriately. The warranty covers workmanship-related failures like settlement from inadequate compaction or incorrect grading that causes persistent pooling. It doesn’t cover damage from third-party work, extreme events, or changes made after completion, but we’re always available to inspect and advise.
We can prepare bases for porcelain or sandstone patios, block paving, resin-bound surfaces, gravel grids, and new lawns with improved topsoil. Groundworks can also include foundations for garden walls, steps, pergolas and bin stores, plus drainage options like French drains, channel drains and soakaways. We’ll help you choose based on your property type, intended finish, water management needs and how you use the garden day to day.
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