Fine Landscaping delivers Groundwork Contractors in Nunhead for projects that need firm, compliant preparation. From site clearance and excavation to drainage, foundations and concrete work, we build the base your build depends on. Expect tidy working, clear timelines and a finish ready for the next trade.
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If you’re improving a garden, driveway or extension in SE15, the groundwork needs to be right first time. Our team handles site clearance, excavation, levelling and drainage so your project starts on solid ground. We regularly work around Nunhead Cemetery and the streets leading towards Telegraph Hill Park, where access and neighbours’ boundaries need careful planning. You’ll get a safe, organised site and a base that’s ready for paving, turf, structures or building work.
Nunhead’s Victorian terraces, Edwardian houses and period cottages often come with narrow side returns, older drains and layered ground from past works. That’s where local experience matters: we plan spoil removal, protect shared paths and keep disruption down for adjoining properties. Whether you’re in Nunhead itself or nearby Peckham and East Dulwich, we tailor excavation depths, foundation specs and falls to suit the property and intended finish. The result is groundwork that supports long-lasting landscaping and construction.
We start with a site visit, levels check and a clear scope covering foundations, concrete work, retaining walls or access roads as required. You’ll receive a written plan, sensible sequencing and transparent costs before we break ground. Our crews work cleanly, manage waste responsibly and keep you updated at each stage. Homeowners trust us because we deliver consistent standards, proper compaction and drainage testing, backed by a 10-year warranty.
Ground conditions across Nunhead and the wider London Borough of Southwark can vary between made ground and heavier clay, which affects excavation and drainage design. Many streets have tight parking and restricted access, so we plan deliveries, grab lorry collection and material storage carefully. Period homes may have older pipework and shallow services, so we locate utilities and adjust digging methods. We also consider boundary walls, shared paths and neighbour proximity common around SE15.
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Costs vary with access, spoil removal, depth of dig and whether you need drainage or concrete. As a guide in Nunhead (SE15), small groundwork packages such as clearance and levelling may start around £900–£2,500. Drainage runs and soakaways often fall between £1,500–£4,500. Concrete bases and foundations commonly range from £2,500–£9,000+, depending on size, reinforcement and excavation complexity.
Most residential groundwork takes 2–10 working days, depending on scope. Site clearance and levelling can be 1–3 days, while excavation, drainage and concrete work may take 4–10 days including curing time. Timescales are affected by access (terraced streets), depth of dig, unexpected obstructions, weather, and whether inspections are needed before pouring concrete. We provide a staged programme so you can plan follow-on trades.
Many garden and driveway groundwork jobs are permitted development, but it depends on what you’re building and how water will drain. For example, new or replaced driveways over 5m² usually need permeable surfacing or drainage to a soakaway rather than the public sewer. Retaining walls, front boundary changes, and works near trees can also have rules. We’ll flag likely requirements and help you check Southwark guidance before work starts.
We provide a 10-year warranty on our workmanship for qualifying groundwork installations, covering issues such as settlement caused by inadequate compaction, faults in installed drainage runs, and defects in our concrete work. The warranty applies when the work is used as specified and not altered by others without agreement. We also document key stages (levels, sub-base depth, drainage testing) so you have a clear record for future reference.
We can build groundwork to suit a wide range of finishes: reinforced concrete bases for sheds and garden rooms, Type 1 sub-bases for patios and paths, and permeable build-ups for driveways. Drainage options include channel drains, soakaways and attenuation crates, depending on space and soil. For retaining walls we can prepare for brick, block, sleeper or concrete systems. We’ll advise on the best specification for longevity, budget and Southwark drainage expectations.
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