Homeowner

Review a tradeHomeowner advice centreFind your expertSaved trades

Trades

Join CheckatradeAdvice centreLog in to member's area
Download app

Photos

Custom built store using red cedar to match side gate. Green roof planted with mixed Sedum
Constructed to match new side gate and incorporated green roof.
This is quite a shady area and with a good selection of different plants provides colour and interest all year.
Using matching materials from the back garden I built a tall and wide gate with electronic lock.
This area previously had a mixed materials and differing heights making it seem cluttered and uninviting. The paving is now flush all the way through from the front gate to the rear garden. Wall was rebuilt and railings added later
New brick wall with cast stone pier caps
Gate and railings added later.
Built using new london stock bricks, these closely match the original house and will fade in time.
A small cupboard was added at basement level to break up the wall detail
The existing wall did not match the original house and was falling down.
Existing wall and front garden removed. By building an enclosure spoil could be heaped for removal by grab lorry and keep access clean and tidy
Old rotting sleepers removed and soil, this was replaced with clean new soil mixed with eco compost
Preview of Before.
Red cedar side gate with electronic lock
Fitted with stainless steel hinges. latch and bolt
Preview of Newe lawn and paths.
Preview of New lawn and raised borders.
Path and lawn is edged with cobbles cut from same stone as patio. Curved borders are made from same material again.
Preview of New lawn, path and raised borders.
Preview of New basement level patio and steps.
The original retaining wall was in line with these new steps. By pushing out further away from the house and lowering the garden it opened up a vista from the basement level that was previously just looking out at a blank wall. A storage cupboard was added under the stairs and raised borders introduced.
Red cedar cladding, posts and stainless steel handrail introduced. Shelves left in the walls for pot plants, these are lit at night
Red cedar cladding, posts and stainless steel handrail introduced. Shelves left in the walls for pot plants, these are lit at night
The kitchen diner is through the white doors. This area now connects much more with the garden than previously
Bench made from matching red cedar planks, with lighting underneath.
Using machine cut sandstone paving. The black line is a drainage gulley that connects to a water collection tank for the irrigation system
To match paving used on patio
Lights added into wall and fence
12 volt lighting system installed to illuminate BBQ area and a few key shrubs in the borders
End of the garden illuminated to allow ease of access to storage sheds and feature covered bench
Matching paving to rest of garden and shed base constructed for new shed
Existing shed repositioned and fence cleaned and repaired. Folly taken down and repositioned
This is connected to rainwater drainage system and fitted with an automatic pump.
Protective foam taped to tank to prevent damage. This is connected to rainwater drainage system and fitted with an automatic pump.
Hole is prepared and tank protected with foam
This hole is about 6ft deep and lower levels are of soft sand that needed to be compacted and made level prior to fitting tank
Many tonnes of materials were carefully stored here and then transported to the front for removal by grab lorry
The sub soil here is mainly ballast which, when spread and compacted, in layers makes for a very stable sub base for paving
The retaining wall has been tanked and covered with DPM, drainage is fitted behind to ensure that groundwater seeps to the bottom of the wall.
Porous pipe installed behind wall to cope with groundwater
Several layers of bitumen paint coated on retaining wall to make waterproof
Hollow concrete blocks built up with vertical and horizontal steel reinforcing bars added. Blocks later filled with slump concrete
Existing retaining wall broken out with digger fitted with pecker and spoil removed by tracked dumper
In order to get the digger deep enough to excavate foundations a ramp was dug down and spoil saved on site for later use.
After much bashing and crashing the wall is removed
Deep and wide foundations prepared for new retaining wall, lined with dpm to prevent water seeping out of concrete too quickly. Reinforcing bars and mesh added to concrete for increased strength.