Need reliable Groundwork Contractors in Forest Hill for a renovation, extension or new hard landscaping? Fine Landscaping delivers precise excavation, drainage and concrete work, with clean, safe sites and clear timelines.
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From site clearance to foundations and drainage, our groundwork team prepares Forest Hill plots properly so the next stage runs smoothly. We regularly work across SE23, including streets near Forest Hill station and the Horniman Museum. Whether you’re planning a garden room, new patio levels or a driveway rebuild, we set out accurately and manage spoil, access and safety. Expect a tidy site and workmanship that won’t let you down later.
Forest Hill’s Victorian and Edwardian houses, plus period conversions, often come with tight side access, mixed ground and older drainage runs. We’re used to protecting existing brickwork, party walls and neighbouring boundaries while excavating and levelling. Many projects also link to nearby areas such as Honor Oak and Sydenham, where plot shapes and gradients can vary considerably. Our local experience helps prevent surprises once digging starts.
We start with a site visit, levels check and a clear scope covering excavation depths, drainage falls and concrete specifications. You’ll get practical advice on buildability, access roads or temporary protection, and we keep you updated as ground conditions are confirmed. Our team works to safe methods, removes waste responsibly and finishes to agreed tolerances. Homeowners choose us for straightforward communication, dependable scheduling and a 10-year warranty on qualifying groundwork installations.
As experienced groundwork contractors in London Borough of Lewisham, we plan for common constraints such as controlled parking, narrow streets and limited skip placement. Around Blythe Hill Fields and the Devonshire Road Nature Reserve, sloping plots and run-off management can be key, so we prioritise correct falls and robust drainage. We also account for older services and shared boundaries typical of period homes. Where access is tight, we use smaller plant and phased deliveries to keep disruption down.
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Costs vary with access, depth of dig, spoil removal and whether you need drainage or concrete. As a guide in Forest Hill, small groundwork jobs can start around £1,200–£3,000, while foundations and drainage for an extension often fall in the £6,000–£18,000 range. Larger packages including retaining walls, levelling and access road prep may reach £20,000+. We provide a detailed, itemised quote after a site survey.
Many Forest Hill groundwork projects take 2–7 working days for clearance, excavation and basic concrete works. Foundations and drainage for an extension commonly take 1–3 weeks, depending on inspections, curing time and the amount of spoil to remove. Retaining walls and major levelling can add extra time. Access constraints, weather, hidden services and unexpected ground conditions are the main factors that affect programme and sequencing.
Most garden groundwork, drainage repairs and like-for-like driveway works are usually permitted development, but there are important exceptions. New or altered driveways may need permeable surfacing or drainage to a soakaway, and works near boundaries, trees or listed buildings can carry extra rules. If your project links to an extension, Building Control requirements will apply for foundations and drainage. We’ll advise what’s likely needed and help you check with Lewisham.
Yes. We provide a 10-year warranty on qualifying groundwork installations, including correctly installed drainage runs, concrete bases and retaining structures built to our specification. The warranty covers workmanship-related defects that lead to failure, movement or poor performance, subject to normal ground conditions and correct use. It doesn’t cover damage from third-party works, extreme events or changes made after completion. We’ll explain what’s included for your specific scope in writing.
We tailor the build-up to your project: reinforced concrete slabs for garden rooms, strip foundations for extensions, and concrete pads for sheds or outdoor kitchens. Drainage options include channel drains, soakaways and permeable sub-bases, chosen to suit falls and soil conditions. For retaining walls, we can use reinforced concrete, engineered block systems or brick to match period properties. We’ll recommend practical options after checking levels, access and intended finishes.
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