Transform sloping lawns and tired borders with Timber Sleepers in Shirley. We build crisp raised beds, sturdy retaining walls, steps and seating that suit your garden and last for years.
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Sleepers are a practical way to add structure to Shirley gardens, especially where lawns fall away or borders need definition. We install raised beds, retaining walls, steps, edging and built-in seating with clean lines and solid fixings. Whether you’re near Shirley Windmill or close to Addington Hills, we tailor the layout to your plot. Our builds look sharp from day one and are designed to stay that way.
The Shirley area has a mix of 1930s semis, larger detached homes and newer developments, often with long rear gardens and varied levels. We regularly work across CR0, including Addiscombe and towards West Wickham, where access and garden shapes can differ street to street. Sleepers are ideal for creating neat planting zones, widening usable patio space, or forming safe, comfortable steps. We match proportions and finishes to suit the style of your home and existing landscaping.
We start with a site visit to measure levels, check drainage and agree the exact sleeper type and finish. Every retaining wall is built with proper foundations, fixings and backfill to reduce movement and improve longevity. We keep the job tidy, communicate timings clearly, and dispose of waste responsibly. Homeowners choose us for reliable workmanship, transparent options, and a 10-year warranty for peace of mind.
Many gardens in the London Borough of Croydon have clay-heavy ground, so we allow for drainage and stable footings to reduce heave and movement. In Shirley, access can be tight down side passages on 1930s semis, so we plan material handling and cutting to minimise disruption. We also consider parking and delivery drop-offs, especially near schools such as Trinity School at peak times. The result is a sleeper build that fits the property and performs in local conditions.
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Costs depend on sleeper type, wall height, groundworks and access. As a guide, simple sleeper edging often starts from around £40–£80 per linear metre installed. Raised beds commonly range from £450–£1,200 depending on size and number of tiers. Retaining walls and steps are more involved, typically £1,200–£4,000+ where excavation, drainage and structural fixings are required. We provide a clear, itemised quote after a site visit.
Most sleeper edging or a small raised bed can be completed in 1 day. Medium projects such as multiple raised beds or short retaining walls usually take 2–4 days. Larger works involving significant excavation, drainage runs, steps and seating can take 1–2 weeks. Timescales depend on access, spoil removal, sleeper cutting, ground conditions and whether we’re integrating the sleepers with patios, fencing or turfing.
In many cases, timber sleeper raised beds, edging and low walls are permitted development and won’t need planning permission. However, rules can change if the structure is close to a highway, forms a boundary wall, or if the retaining wall is substantial and affects levels or drainage to neighbouring land. We’ll advise during the survey and, where needed, help you check requirements with the London Borough of Croydon before work starts.
We back our workmanship with a 10-year warranty on sleeper installations, covering structural integrity and fixings when used as designed (for example, retaining walls built to agreed heights with correct drainage). The warranty excludes damage from impact, unauthorised alterations, or issues caused by third-party works and extreme ground movement beyond normal conditions. We also explain maintenance for treated, reclaimed and oak sleepers so your installation stays looking its best.
We offer new treated softwood sleepers for clean, consistent lines, reclaimed sleepers for a weathered character, and oak sleepers for a premium, long-lasting finish. Design options include single- or multi-tier raised beds, curved or straight edging, sleeper steps with anti-slip detailing, and integrated seating. We’ll help you choose based on budget, garden style, drainage needs and the look you want alongside planting, paving and fencing.
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