Landscapers&GroundworksinDorset
Groundworks-led landscaping across the county, from the harbour clay around Poole to the heathland sands inland and the limestone further west, where what is under the garden decides what the garden can hold.
- Fixed-price quotes, agreed before work starts
- Sub-bases, falls and drainage done in-house
- 2-year workmanship warranty
- 2 yearsWarranty on work
- Owner-ledOne team throughout
- In-houseBy our own team
- CSCS · SSSTS · NVQ 2Qualified team
One County, Several Different Grounds
Dorset does not have one soil, and that is the part most quotes skip. Around Poole Harbour and the lower Frome you are often on clay that holds water and moves with it. Push inland across the heaths between Bournemouth, Wareham and Verwood and it turns to free-draining sand and gravel, where a soakaway behaves completely differently. Head west and south into Purbeck and there is limestone and chalk close to the surface, which changes what it costs to dig before it changes anything else. We are based in Bournemouth and work out across the county from there, and the first thing we do on any Dorset plot is find out which of those we are standing on, with a trial pit and a percolation test rather than an assumption carried over from the last job.
Four Groundworks & Landscaping
7 MacLean Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH11 8EJ
The Full Range, Across Dorset
Everything below is done in-house, groundwork and finish, wherever in the county you are.
Driveways
Block Paving DrivewaysThe sub-base depth is set from the ground it is going on, which is not the same on harbour clay as it is on heathland sand.
Tarmac & Asphalt DrivewaysCommon on the longer frontages and shared accesses found on the county’s older and more rural plots.
Concrete DrivewaysSuits the bigger rural plots, farm accesses and outbuildings that come with a county this spread out.
Gravel DrivewaysA natural fit on the free-draining heath and in the villages where a hard, sealed surface would look wrong.
Driveway Repairs & ResurfacingWhere a drive has sunk or cracked, the sub-base below it is usually the cause, so that is what we look at first.
Garden Landscaping
- Full Garden TransformationsWhole-garden rebuilds with the levels and drainage sorted first, which is what makes the finish last.
Turfing & New LawnsOn sandy heathland ground a new lawn needs the topsoil built up under it, or it burns off in the first dry summer.
Artificial Grass Installers
Fencing & GatesCoastal and open-heath plots take more wind than a sheltered town garden, so posts go in accordingly.
Decking Installers
Retaining & Sleeper WallsWhat a sloping plot usually needs before it can hold a level lawn or patio at all.
Groundworks Companies
- Excavation & Site Clearance
Foundations & FootingsDug to what the ground actually is, which across Dorset can mean anything from soft clay to limestone.
Concrete Bases & Slabs
Muck Away & Spoil RemovalWorth pricing properly on rural plots, where the distance to a tip is a real part of the job.
Commercial GroundworksFor builders and developers working anywhere in the county who want the dig-and-build stage handed over level and clean.
Drainage Contractors
Percolation TestingThe test that settles which Dorset ground you are on, and the one worth doing before anything else is designed.
Soakaway InstallationSized from that test. A soakaway that works on sand can be useless in clay a few miles away.
Land & Surface Water DrainageFor the low-lying and clay-bound plots where water has nowhere to go on its own.
15+
Years in groundworks and landscaping
35 miles
Working radius from our Bournemouth base
In-house
Groundwork and finish by the same team
Fixed price
Itemised and agreed before work starts
How A Dorset Job Runs
The same process on every job, start to finish.
Consultation & Site Visit
We come to the property, talk through what you want, and check the two things that decide the price: how plant and materials get in, and where the water on your plot actually goes.
Fixed-Price Quote
An itemised, fixed price before anything starts, covering the groundwork as well as the finish, so nothing gets added once we are on site.
Build & Finish
Dig-out, sub-base, falls and drainage first, built for the ground we actually found, then the surface goes down on top of it.
Walk-Round & Aftercare
A walk-round when the work is finished, then a check-in once it has settled and had its first proper wet spell.
What Customers Say About Us
Reviews from customers across Bournemouth, Poole and the wider Dorset and Hampshire area we cover.
Grace Sibley
Jacc and his team did a full patio renovation for us inclusive of sorting out some significant drainage problems. Jacc and his team have been professional through out and provided a high quality service even through some significantly challenging weather. I cannot fault them at all. Jacc and Jordan went above and beyond for us and despite it being 37 degrees carried on grafting to get us a usable patio before our sons 1st birthday. The work was efficient, they kept the place tidy with waste removal being organised within 48 hours of it being produced I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Four Ground for your upcoming landscape/ground works project.
Asa Parker
I'm very happy with the work Jacc and this team have done. They removed the old driveway and previous concrete pads, before levelling and laying a new larger reinforced concrete slab and block paving driveway. Jacc was very helpful throughout.
Chris Lynch
We used Jacc and his team to lay the foundations and over site for a single story extension. After getting plenty of quotes he was very competitive and his enthusiasm and communication was exceptional. Our plan is to have Jacc back to complete our patio area and ground drainage - he's trustworthy, reliable and has a fantastic attitude - something that we've realised is really hard to come by in the building trade. Thanks so much Jacc and team!
A.G Reeks
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Friendly & Honest Excellent service from start to finish. The drainage work was explained clearly, priced fairly, and completed efficiently. The lads were polite, hardworking, and respectful of the property. It's refreshing to deal with a company you can trust. Would definitely use again.
Rachel
We are so pleased with all the work we have had done - our back garden was a total mess, but the guys completely transformed it with a brilliant new concrete area and some lovely planters. They even sorted out and tidied our front drive with a temporary fix, which has given the whole house a massive face-lift. The whole team were so friendly and down-to-earth. Big shout-out to Jacc as well, who was always around for a chat whenever we had any questions. Honestly couldn't recommend them enough if you need a landscaping company for gardens or driveways.
jeff sullivan
After being let down at the last minute by another landscaper, Jacc was recommended to me. I messaged and received a prompt reply. Jacc visited to give a quote and start date. He arrived when expected to start on a new patio, whilst he was working, I asked for a quote for new concrete fence posts and panels, again I was happy with the quote and it could be done at the same time, result... Its now all completed, I'm impressed with the new patio and fence, jacc was professional and takes pride in his work, his easy to get on with and very approachable. Highly recommended, and thanks again Jacc 👍
The Worries We Hear Most
Answered honestly, before you ask.
Will it look great for one winter then go uneven?
Everything is dug out to depth and built on a properly compacted sub-base. That layer is the whole reason a drive or patio stays level, not the surface on top of it.
Will the garden flood or the patio puddle?
Falls are set deliberately and drainage is designed in from the start, sized from an actual test rather than guessed. On clay that matters more than anywhere.
Am I too far out for you to bother with?
We work a 35-mile radius from Bournemouth, which covers most of the county. If a job sits outside it we will say so rather than quote and let you down.
Dorset Questions, Answered
What people usually ask before booking us in.
Which parts of Dorset do you cover?
We are based in Bournemouth and work a 35-mile radius from there, which takes in Poole, Christchurch, Wimborne Minster, Wareham, Broadstone, Parkstone, Ferndown, Verwood and West Moors among others. If you are not sure whether you are inside it, ask and we will tell you straight.
Does the ground really change that much across the county?
Yes, and it changes what a job costs. Clay around the harbour holds water and moves with it; the heaths inland are free-draining sand and gravel; Purbeck and the chalk bring stone close to the surface. A soakaway sized for one of those can be the wrong answer on another, which is why we test rather than assume.
Do I need a percolation test before a soakaway?
For a soakaway to be sized properly, yes. It is a short job on its own and it is the difference between drainage that works and drainage that backs up the first time it is tested by real weather. We can carry it out as a standalone piece of work.
Can you take on work for builders and developers, not just homeowners?
Yes. Site clearance, foundations, footings, drainage and connections, done to the drawings and handed over ready for the next trade.
How much does a driveway or patio cost in Dorset?
It depends on size, access and the state of what is already there, so every job is priced after a visit. Get in touch for a fixed, itemised quote.
Are you on Checkatrade and Google?
Yes. We are an approved Checkatrade member and hold Google Guaranteed status. Behind that are over 15 years in groundworks and landscaping and the trade cards to go with it: CSCS, Street Works, SSSTS and NVQ Level 2.
Dorset Towns We Cover
Pick the town closest to you for what the ground does there.
Poole
Harbour-side clay and the tighter access that comes with an older town.
Poole coverageChristchurch
Low-lying ground between two rivers, where drainage leads the job.
Christchurch coverageWimborne Minster
A market town on the Stour, inland from the coastal strip.
Wimborne Minster coverageWareham
On the edge of Purbeck, where stone comes closer to the surface.
Wareham coverageGet a free quote
Tell us what you need and we'll come back with a price. No pressure, no hard sell.
Prefer to talk? Call Four Groundworks & Landscaping on 07886 075828