What does levelling a plot involve?
Levelling a plot starts with setting the target levels. It also matters how the land will be used and where water should drain to. Levelling does not automatically mean a flat, horizontal surface.
Plan and survey first
Point out the limits of the work, the future surfaces and anything that must not be disturbed. Have information ready on underground services and the planned layout of the plot. Access for the machine should be checked before a date is set.
The method of surveying and checking must match the accuracy required. Do not expect a specific result unless you have agreed how it will be checked.
Topsoil and moving soil
The layer intended for the garden has to be planned separately from the ground under paved surfaces and structures. Decide where the material will be stockpiled and where it will be used later.
Spreading soil does not yet make it ready to carry loads. If the ground is to support a paved surface, the requirements for the layers and for compaction must be specified. We do not sell soil or topsoil.
Weather and water
Wet soil can react differently to vehicles driving over it and to compaction. When setting a date, take the condition of the soil into account, not just whether the machine is available. After rain, a fresh assessment may be needed.
Do not let water run off onto the neighbouring plot as an accidental result of levelling. How water will be drained should be part of the site plan, and any required solutions should be clarified before the work starts.
When the work is finished
Check the target levels and the agreed scope. If you are planning a lawn, the timing of the next work depends on the condition of the soil and on how the garden is prepared. If a paved surface is to be built, a separate check of the layers may be required.
We carry out levelling with an excavator, a backhoe loader, a bulldozer and a roller. Ask about land levelling.
Questions about levelling
When is the best time to start?
When the condition of the ground allows the work to be done properly. The season alone does not decide whether the plot is ready.
Can I sow grass straight away?
Check the soil preparation and the condition of the soil with your garden contractor. How the levelled surface looks does not determine when to sow.
How can I stop water running onto my neighbour’s plot?
Plan the levels and drainage before the work starts. Do not try to fix the problem just by adding more soil.