Need Groundwork Contractors in Canary Wharf for a reliable start to your project? We handle site clearance, excavation, drainage, foundations and concrete work with tidy, well-managed delivery across E14.
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From One Canada Square to the quieter streets around Poplar, groundwork needs to be precise, safe and well planned. Fine Landscaping delivers complete groundwork packages in E14, including site clearance, excavation, foundations, drainage and concrete bases. Whether you’re preparing a garden redesign, a new patio build-up, or structural groundwork for an extension, we set out accurately and work to specification. We also build retaining walls, access roads and carry out levelling to create stable, usable outdoor space.
Canary Wharf’s modern living often means podium gardens, waterfront developments and high-rise apartments with managed access. We’re used to working with building managers, timed deliveries and lift or service-bay constraints, as well as tighter courtyards on the Isle of Dogs. Ground levels, drainage routes and load-bearing requirements can differ significantly between blocks, terraces and mixed-use sites. Our approach suits everything from penthouse terraces to communal landscaping upgrades.
We start with a site visit, utility checks and a clear method statement, then programme works to minimise disruption to neighbours and residents. You’ll get transparent options for excavation depth, sub-base build-ups, drainage falls and concrete specifications, with photos and updates as we progress. We protect finishes, keep walkways clean, and remove spoil responsibly. Homeowners choose us for consistent workmanship, clear communication and a warranty-backed result.
As groundwork contractors in London Borough of Tower Hamlets, we plan for restricted parking, loading bays and permit-controlled access common around Crossrail Place and the docks. Ground conditions can vary due to made ground and dense services, so we survey carefully and excavate with caution. We also design drainage to suit hard landscaped podium areas and limited soakaway opportunities. Where required, we coordinate with site management to meet working-hour rules and resident safety.
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Costs vary with access, spoil removal, depth of dig and the amount of concrete or drainage required. As a guide in Canary Wharf, small groundwork jobs such as localised excavation and levelling often start around £900–£2,500. Drainage runs and new bases commonly fall in the £2,500–£7,500 range. Larger foundation or retaining wall packages can be £8,000–£25,000+, especially where access and disposal are complex.
Many smaller jobs (site clearance, minor excavation, levelling and a compacted sub-base) take 1–3 days. Drainage and concrete base work is often 3–7 days depending on curing times and inspections. Larger packages involving foundations, retaining walls and access roads typically run 2–6 weeks. Timescales depend on access restrictions, weather, service diversions, disposal logistics and whether materials must be delivered in timed slots.
Many garden groundwork tasks are permitted development, such as replacing like-for-like hardstanding or preparing a patio base, provided you manage drainage correctly. Planning may be needed for major level changes, retaining walls in prominent positions, works affecting trees, or where the property has specific conditions. In managed developments, you may also need freeholder or building management approval. We’ll flag likely requirements and help you check Tower Hamlets guidance before work starts.
We provide a 10-year warranty on our workmanship for qualifying groundwork installations, including sub-base build-ups, concrete work, retaining walls and installed drainage runs. The warranty covers defects caused by installation issues, such as settlement from inadequate compaction or incorrect falls on drainage. It doesn’t cover damage from third-party alterations, extreme events, or pre-existing structural problems outside our scope. We also document the build-up so you know what’s beneath the surface.
We tailor the specification to what you’re building above: MOT Type 1 sub-bases for paving, reinforced concrete slabs for heavier loads, and permeable build-ups where drainage is critical. For drainage, options include channel drains, trapped gullies, soakaways (space permitting) and connections to existing systems. Retaining walls can be built in concrete block with render, natural stone, or engineered systems. We’ll recommend options based on access, load requirements, finish choices and budget.
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