Garden &
Landscaping
South London
From a new patio or driveway to a complete garden transformation — we design and build outdoor spaces across South London that look great and last for years.
Proudly Serving South London
Design to Completion
Free Consultations
Your Outdoor Space,
Done Right
In South London, outdoor space is precious. Whether you have a small rear courtyard or a generous garden, making the most of it adds genuine value to your home and to your daily life. The difference between a well-landscaped garden and an afterthought is significant — and it's mostly down to quality of materials, standard of groundwork, and attention to detail in the finish.
At Kelmend Construction, landscaping sits naturally alongside our wider construction work. We bring the same standards we apply indoors to everything we build outside — properly prepared bases, quality materials, clean finishes, and work that holds up over time. No subsiding patios, no crumbling pointing, no fences that lean after the first winter.
Landscaping
Services
Patio Installation
A well-laid patio transforms how you use your garden — and a poorly laid one subsides, cracks, and looks tired within a few years. We install patios in porcelain, natural stone (sandstone, limestone, granite), and concrete paving. Every patio starts with a properly prepared sub-base — no shortcuts, no thin beds over soft ground.
Driveways
Block paving, resin-bound, tarmac, and concrete driveways installed to last. We manage the full scope — excavation, hardcore sub-base, edging, surface, and drainage — so water runs away correctly and the surface doesn't sink or shift. We also handle any required dropped kerb applications with your local council.
Decking
Timber and composite decking installed to a high standard with properly treated joists, correct falls for drainage, and secure fixings throughout. Composite decking is our most recommended option for low maintenance — it won't rot, splinter, or need annual treatment. Timber is available where a more natural look is preferred.
Fencing & Gates
Close board, feather edge, trellis, metal railings, and bespoke timber gates — we install fencing and gate systems that are properly set in concrete and built to withstand South London weather for years. We also carry out fence replacements after storm damage, often at short notice.
Garden Walls & Brickwork
Retaining walls, raised planters, boundary walls, steps, and decorative garden brickwork. We build garden structures that are properly engineered for their purpose — a retaining wall holding back soil needs to be built very differently to a decorative planter. We get this right from the foundation up.
Full Garden Landscaping
For clients who want their entire outdoor space redesigned and built from scratch — we manage the full project. This typically combines a patio, lawn or artificial grass, planting beds, fencing, lighting, and external lighting into a single coordinated design and build. One team, one contract, one result.
Everything
We Cover
From groundworks to finishing touches — here's the full range of what we deliver as part of our landscaping service.
What Makes Us
Different
Groundworks Done Properly
Most landscaping failures trace back to poor groundworks — a thin sub-base, no compaction, inadequate drainage. We dig out to the correct depth, lay proper MOT Type 1 hardcore, compact it correctly, and build up from a solid foundation. It takes longer and costs a little more, but it's the reason our patios don't sink.
Quality Materials Throughout
We use quality paving, joinery, and aggregates — not the cheapest option available. We're happy to discuss material choices with you and explain the difference between options so you can make an informed decision. We never substitute cheaper materials without telling you.
Construction Background
Most landscaping companies are garden specialists — they're great with plants but less confident with structural work. As a construction company, we're equally comfortable building retaining walls, steps, and raised structures to a proper engineered standard alongside the softer landscaping elements.
One Team for Inside & Out
If you're extending, renovating, or converting your loft, we can take the landscaping as part of the same project. One company managing inside and outside means better coordination, a cleaner finish, and one less contractor to manage.
Honest Advice on Materials
Porcelain vs sandstone, block paving vs resin, timber vs composite — we'll give you a straight comparison of each option's cost, durability, and maintenance requirements so you choose what's right for your budget and your lifestyle, not what's easiest for us to install.
Clean, Tidy Sites
Landscaping generates a lot of excavated material, packaging, and mess. We remove spoil promptly, protect your property's access points, and leave the site clean at the end of every day. Your neighbours will appreciate it too.
Our Landscaping
Process
Free Consultation & Site Visit
We come to you, look at the space, listen to what you want to achieve, and discuss the options. We'll bring material samples if helpful and give you an honest steer on what works well in your type of garden and what your budget will realistically achieve.
Design & Quote
For smaller projects we produce a detailed written quote. For full garden transformations we can produce a simple layout drawing to confirm the design before quoting. Either way, the quote is fully itemised — materials, groundworks, and labour all separately listed.
Materials Ordered & Programme Set
We order all materials ahead of the start date — no waiting for deliveries once the team is on site. We give you a clear programme so you know when each element will be complete and when the garden will be usable again.
Groundworks & Build
Excavation, sub-base, drainage, and structural elements come first. We don't rush this stage. Once the groundworks are right, the surface elements — paving, decking, fencing, walls — go down quickly and correctly on a solid foundation.
Finishing & Handover
Pointing, edging, cleaning down, and any planting or lighting installation complete the project. We do a walkthrough with you before we close the job — checking every joint, every edge, and every fixing meets the standard we set ourselves.
Covering
South London
We carry out garden and landscaping projects across South London. Our core patch includes:
Not listed? We cover all of South London and can travel further across the city — just get in touch.
Landscaping FAQs
How much does a new patio cost in South London?
A porcelain or natural stone patio in South London typically costs between £2,000 and £6,000 for a standard rear garden, depending on the size, the material chosen, and the condition of the existing ground. Porcelain paving is slightly more expensive than sandstone but more durable and lower maintenance. We'll give you an accurate quote once we've visited and measured the space.
What is the best driveway material?
It depends on your priorities. Block paving is the most popular — durable, repairable, and available in a wide range of colours and patterns. Resin-bound is increasingly popular for its clean, contemporary look and SuDS-compliant drainage (important in many London boroughs). Tarmac is the most economical option and very durable. We'll talk you through the pros and cons of each at the consultation stage based on your budget and preferences.
Do I need planning permission for a new driveway?
For most front driveways, you don't need planning permission — provided the surface is permeable (resin-bound, block paving with permeable jointing, or gravel) and water drains onto your land rather than the road. Impermeable surfaces over 5m² do technically require planning permission. We'll advise on the right surface and drainage solution for your property to keep you compliant.
Composite or timber decking — which is better?
For most South London gardens, we recommend composite decking. It doesn't rot, splinter, or require annual oiling or treatment. It's slip-resistant and holds its colour for decades. The upfront cost is higher than pressure-treated timber, but the lifetime cost is lower when you factor in maintenance. Timber is the right choice if you want a more natural aesthetic and are happy to maintain it — we install both to a high standard.
How long does garden landscaping take?
A standard patio installation takes 2 to 4 days. A driveway typically takes 3 to 5 days. A full garden transformation — patio, lawn, fencing, walls, and planting — usually takes 1 to 3 weeks depending on scope. We'll give you a clear programme before we start so you know when your garden will be usable again.
Can you combine landscaping with a building project?
Yes — and this is often the most efficient approach. If we're building an extension or carrying out other work at your property, we can schedule the landscaping as part of the same project so the whole exterior is finished at once. It avoids a second mobilisation, protects the garden from being damaged by building work, and means you're dealing with one team from start to finish.
Let's Transform
Your Garden
Tell us what you're thinking and we'll come to you for a free, no-obligation consultation.
No pushy sales. No call centres. Just a straight conversation about your project.