Hard Landscaping in Surrey
Steps, walls, raised beds, brickwork and structural garden features, the bones of a well-designed garden, built to last.
The Framework That Makes a Garden Work
Hard landscaping is the structural skeleton of any garden, the steps, walls, edging, raised beds and brickwork features that define the space and make it functional. Get this right and everything else, planting, lighting, furniture, falls into place around it. Get it wrong and no amount of planting will fix a garden that does not flow or function properly.
GK Landscapes handles all hard landscaping as part of a wider garden project or as standalone structural work. Patrick advises on materials, finishes and building regulations compliance (relevant for walls over 600mm and structural drainage work) at every site visit.
What We Build
- Garden steps, natural stone, brick or concrete
- Retaining walls, block, brick or timber sleeper
- Raised planters and beds, sleeper-built or brick
- Garden edging, steel, timber, stone or brick
- Brickwork features and pillars
- Structural levelling and ground shaping
- Free no-obligation quote, site visit always included
- Clear written price before any work starts
- Patrick Greenwood personally on site
- 9.9/10 on Checkatrade from 376 verified reviews
- 10/10 for communication
- No subcontractors on standard jobs
- No deposit required on most jobs
Get a Free Quote
Free site visit. Written price. No deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Retaining walls under 1 metre are generally permitted development. Walls over 1 metre may need planning permission depending on location (proximity to a highway increases the threshold to 0.5 metres). Structural walls over 600mm also fall within Building Regulations scope. Patrick advises on requirements at the site visit.
Timber sleepers (new or reclaimed oak or softwood) are the most popular choice, they look natural, are quick to install and work in most garden styles. Brick and block raised beds are more permanent and suit formal garden designs. Corten steel is a contemporary option that develops an attractive rust patina over time.
Yes, garden steps into a slope are one of the most common hard landscaping requests. Natural stone steps set into a slope look particularly good and can be combined with planting in the risers for a softer effect. Patrick discusses material and style options at the site visit.
Proper installation with the correct foundation, back drainage (gravel behind the wall and a drainage pipe at the base), and the right fixing detail for the height of wall prevents movement. Poorly drained sleeper walls fail because water pressure builds up behind them. GK Landscapes installs drainage behind all retaining structures as standard.
Most hard landscaping work can proceed in winter. Concrete and mortar should not be laid in temperatures below 3°C (frost risk). Brickwork and block work can continue down to about 2°C with appropriate precautions. Patrick advises on scheduling if weather is a factor for your project.