Preparation is mostly clearance and decisions. The clearance comes first, because the decisions get much easier once you can see the garden.
Clear it, look at it, decide what the garden is for, then build in order — trees, boundaries, hard landscaping, levels, planting, turf.
The single most useful thing you can do is resist designing anything until the bulk is off and the ground is visible.
Clearing the bulk is the whole of the useful preparation. It reveals the boundaries, the hard surfaces, the levels, the hazards and the true size of the plot. Until that is done, every conversation about the makeover is speculation — including ours.
Tell us what you need and we will arrange a free quotation.
| Order | Stage |
|---|---|
| 1 | Trees and stumps |
| 2 | Structures out — sheds, decking, failed timber |
| 3 | Hard landscaping — patios, paths, steps |
| 4 | Boundaries — fencing, gates |
| 5 | Drainage, if the clearance revealed a problem |
| 6 | Soil improvement and levelling |
| 7 | Planting |
| 8 | Power washing hard surfaces |
| 9 | Turf — last of all |
The realistic approach is to price the clearance firmly, reassess together once the garden is visible, and then price the rest in stages. It also lets you spread the work across seasons — clearance and tree work in late summer, fencing in autumn, turf the following spring — which is often easier on the budget and better for the plants.
See what our garden clearance service covers in Hanham, or read more about the service across the areas we work in.
Clear the bulk first, look at what is there, decide what the garden is for, then build in order — trees, structures, hard landscaping, boundaries, levels, planting, turf last.
Not before the first clearance. Designs drawn from photographs of an overgrown plot get redrawn once the ground is visible, and you have paid twice.
Boundaries, which trees stay, where hard surfaces go, levels, drainage and access. They are dull decisions that determine everything else.
Planting schemes, furniture, lighting and finishing touches. Decide planting once you know what light the garden actually has.
Photograph the garden, physically mark anything you want kept, check the title plan and check for protected trees with the council.
Yes, and it often should be — clearance and tree work in late summer, fencing in autumn, turf the following spring. It suits both the budget and the plants.
Because every other stage involves digging, spoil, materials and traffic across the plot, none of which new turf survives.
Some margin, always. Every overgrown garden contains at least one discovery, and it is better budgeted for than borrowed from the planting.
Need tree surgery, hedge maintenance, fencing, garden clearance, turfing or power washing? Complete the form and tell us what work you require.
