Most garden problems start underground. Patios that crack, lawns that puddle, borders that sulk: nine times out of ten the cause was there before anyone started digging, and a survey would have found it.
What a site survey actually measures
A proper survey takes a morning. We walk the garden with you first, then measure it properly. The aim is a scaled drawing that shows what is really there, not what it looks like from the kitchen window.
- Levels. Spot heights across the plot, so we know which way water runs and how much soil has to move.
- Drainage. How quickly the ground takes water, and where it collects after rain.
- Soil. Its type and condition, which decides what will grow well.
- Light and aspect. Where the sun falls through the day and across the seasons.
- Services and access. Drains, cables, and how materials get in and out.
Why it saves money
Changing a line on a drawing costs nothing. Changing a patio after it is laid costs thousands. A survey lets the design deal with slopes, wet corners and awkward access before they become surprises on site, and it means the quote you get is based on the real ground.
A garden designed from a survey fits the site. A garden designed from a photo fights it.
If you are planning any change bigger than a new border, start with a survey. It is the cheapest part of the job and it shapes everything that follows.