Garden Renovation: What a Full Rebuild Involves

Most people come to us with a garden that has been added to over decades - a patio in the wrong place, a lawn that will not drain, borders that have collapsed into shrubs. Renovation means going back to the ground and rebuilding in the right order.

1. Survey and assessment

Measured survey, levels, soil assessment, drainage observation, and an honest audit of what stays. Mature trees, established hedges and good walls are assets worth designing around. Everything else is up for discussion.

2. Design and drawings

Concept plan first, then a developed layout with levels, materials and planting. 3D visuals are worth having at this stage - they catch problems that a plan view hides, particularly with steps, retaining and sightlines from the house.

3. Clearance and enabling works

Protecting access, removing old structures, grubbing out, and getting waste off site. This is the loud, ugly week where the garden looks worse than when you started. It always does.

4. Drainage and levels

On Sussex clay, drainage decides whether the finished garden works. Land drains, soakaways, permeable build-ups and correct falls on every hard surface are set out now. Retaining walls and terraces are constructed at the same stage because everything else references them.

5. Hard landscaping and services

Paving, steps, walls, decks and structures, with all ducting for lighting, irrigation and power laid before surfaces close. This is the longest phase and the one that transforms how the space reads.

6. Soil, planting and turf

Imported topsoil to a specification, decompaction, and generous planting with the structural plants set first. Autumn and early spring are the kindest planting windows, but with irrigation a summer planting establishes fine.

7. Aftercare

The first twelve months determine whether the planting thrives. Watering regime, mulch, formative pruning and a maintenance visit schedule are part of the handover, not an optional extra.