Groundworks — the excavation, levelling, drainage and preparation that happens before any visible landscaping work — is the most critical phase of any garden project. Mistakes made at the groundworks stage are expensive and difficult to correct later. This guide covers how to plan it properly from the start.
What Groundworks Involves
Groundworks encompasses everything that happens below and at ground level before features are constructed or planted. It is unglamorous but absolutely determines the quality and longevity of everything built on top of it.
- Site clearance and vegetation removal
- Excavation to required levels — typically 200–400mm for paving
- Installation of drainage where required
- Sub-base compaction for hard surfaces
- Soil preparation and importation for planting areas
- Setting out — ensuring levels, falls and dimensions are correct
The Importance of Levels and Falls
Every hard surface must be laid to a fall that directs water away from the house and into a drainage system or permeable area. The minimum recommended fall is 1:60 (approximately 16mm per metre). Getting this right at the groundworks stage is critical — it cannot be easily corrected later.
Services and Utilities
Before any digging, identify the location of underground services — gas, water, electricity, drains and telecoms. Your utility providers can provide plans; alternatively a cable avoidance tool (CAT) scan can be carried out before excavation begins.
A&T Landscapes carries out all groundworks in-house for garden projects across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire. Call 07735 916029 to discuss your project.