Garden Groundworks in Honor Oak that set your project up properly from day one. From site clearance and excavation to drainage, foundations and grading, we prepare gardens for patios, lawns and structures. Based in Norbury, we’re around 20 minutes away for fast, reliable scheduling.
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If your garden sits on a slope or has tired, compacted ground, good preparation makes all the difference. We deliver full groundworks across SE23, including site clearance, excavation, levelling and drainage, so your new patio, lawn or garden room has a stable base. We regularly work near Honor Oak Park station and around One Tree Hill, where gradients and access can be tricky. Our team keeps the site safe, tidy and ready for the next stage of your landscaping.
Honor Oak’s mix of Victorian terraces, Edwardian houses and 1930s semis often comes with narrow side returns, stepped gardens and older drainage runs. That’s where local experience matters: we plan access routes, protect existing paths and manage spoil removal without disrupting neighbours. Whether you’re in Forest Hill, Brockley or close to Camberwell Old Cemetery, we tailor the dig depth, sub-base build-up and falls to suit the property and the ground. The result is groundwork that supports clean finishes and reduces future movement.
We start with a site visit to check levels, soil condition, water run-off and access for machinery. You’ll receive a clear scope covering excavation, grading, foundations and waste removal, with options for drainage upgrades where needed. We work to robust installation standards, photograph key stages, and keep you updated on progress and any discoveries below ground. Homeowners choose us for careful preparation, straightforward communication and dependable aftercare.
As a hilly part of the London Borough of Lewisham, Honor Oak often needs careful grading to manage run-off and protect neighbouring boundaries. Parking and access can be tight on residential streets, so we schedule deliveries, use the right-sized machinery and plan barrow routes to reduce disruption. Older properties may have legacy drains or shallow services, which we locate and work around safely. This local approach keeps your project efficient and avoids costly rework.
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Costs vary with access, spoil volume and whether drainage or foundations are required. As a guide, small clearance and levelling jobs may start around £800–£1,800. Typical groundwork for a patio base or lawn regrade often falls between £2,000–£6,000. Larger excavations with new drainage runs, retaining prep or concrete foundations can be £6,000–£15,000+. We provide a detailed, itemised quote after a site visit.
Most garden groundworks take 1–5 days, depending on the size of the area and how much excavation is needed. Simple site clearance and levelling can be completed in a day or two, while drainage and foundation work typically adds time for digging, laying, testing falls and reinstatement. Narrow access, steps, hidden rubble, or wet weather can slow progress. We’ll confirm a realistic programme before starting.
Many garden groundwork tasks are permitted, such as preparing bases for patios, paths and lawns, or replacing like-for-like drainage. However, permission or additional rules can apply if you’re altering levels significantly, affecting a boundary, working near trees, or building structures such as raised platforms, retaining walls or driveways with non-permeable surfacing. We’ll flag any likely permissions, advise on SuDS/permeability, and help you check Lewisham guidance before work begins.
Yes. Our groundworks come with a 10-year warranty covering workmanship on installed bases, sub-bases, grading and drainage we supply and fit, when used as specified for the finished build. It covers issues such as settlement caused by incorrect compaction or improper falls, subject to normal ground movement and misuse exclusions. We document key stages and materials so you have a clear record. Any concerns are handled promptly through our aftercare process.
We prepare stable bases for porcelain and sandstone patios, resin-bound paths, block paving, gravel surfaces, new turf or seeded lawns, and foundations for pergolas, garden rooms and sheds. Drainage options include soakaways, French drains, channel drains and permeable sub-bases where suitable. We’ll advise on build-ups, edge restraints and falls to match your chosen finish and the site’s slope. This ensures the surface performs well year-round.
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