Garden Groundworks in Tolworth done properly: clearance, excavation, levelling and drainage. We prepare solid, tidy bases for patios, lawns, steps and access. Expect clear timelines, safe working and clean handovers.
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If your garden project starts with uneven ground, poor drainage or old concrete, professional groundworks make the difference. We carry out site clearance, excavation, grading and waste removal for homeowners across Tolworth, including around Tolworth Broadway and KT5. Whether you’re planning a new patio, lawn or garden room base, we create a clean, build-ready platform. Every job is set out accurately so the finished levels look right and perform well.
Tolworth’s mix of 1930s semis, post-war houses and newer developments often comes with tight side access and varied ground build-up from past landscaping. We regularly work on plots between Surbiton and Worcester Park where gardens may need re-levelling, improved falls, or new drainage runs. If you’re near Tolworth Tower or closer to Chessington, we tailor the approach to the site constraints and the end use. The result is ground prepared for years, not just for the next season.
We start with a site visit to assess levels, access, spoil volumes and drainage routes, then provide a clear scope of works. Our team handles everything from excavation and foundations to reinstatement and waste removal, keeping the site safe and organised. You’ll get practical advice on falls, thresholds and finished heights before we dig. Homeowners choose us for dependable scheduling, tidy workmanship and a build-up that’s done to specification.
Working in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames means planning for controlled parking, narrow drives and shared access points common around KT6. Ground conditions can vary across short distances, so we check for soft spots, made ground and existing drainage issues before setting final levels. Where access is limited, we use smaller machinery and phased spoil removal to keep disruption down. We also factor in neighbouring boundaries, fences and mature trees typical of established Tolworth streets.
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Costs depend on access, spoil removal, depth of dig and whether drainage or foundations are needed. As a guide, small clearance and levelling jobs often start from £900–£1,800. Full groundwork prep for a patio or lawn with excavation, sub-base and waste removal is commonly £2,500–£6,500. Larger projects with new drainage runs, retaining edges or concrete foundations can be £7,000–£15,000+.
Most garden groundworks take 1–5 days, depending on the area size and how much excavation is required. A straightforward dig-out and levelling for a patio base may be 2–3 days, while drainage, foundations and multiple levels can take 1–2 weeks. Timescales are affected by access restrictions, weather, hidden obstructions (old slabs, roots, rubble) and the amount of spoil to remove from site.
Many garden groundworks are permitted development, especially when you’re preparing bases for patios, paths or lawns. However, rules can apply where you change ground levels significantly, add hardstanding at the front, alter drainage to the public sewer, or work near protected trees. We’ll flag likely permissions early, advise on SuDS-friendly options, and can help you check Kingston Council guidance before work starts.
We provide a 10-year warranty on our workmanship for the groundwork elements we install, such as sub-bases, compaction, drainage runs and foundations (where specified). It covers failures caused by installation issues, including settlement from inadequate preparation. It doesn’t cover damage from third-party works, extreme events, or misuse beyond the design. We also document the build-up so you know exactly what’s beneath the finished surface.
We tailor the build-up to the finish you want: MOT Type 1 sub-base for paving, sharp sand or bedding mortar for slabs, and free-draining aggregates for resin or gravel areas. Drainage options include soakaways, channel drains and perforated land drains, set to correct falls. For foundations, we can form concrete pads, strips or reinforced bases for steps, walls or garden rooms. We’ll recommend options based on levels, use and budget.
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