Patio Lift & Relay and New Fencing in St Ives, Cambridgeshire

At Currell Groundworks we recently completed a patio lift and relay, patio extension, fencing replacement and access improvements for a lovely retired couple in St Ives, Cambridgeshire. It was a great job to be involved with from start to finish, and despite a few rain delays along the way, the finished result completely transformed the garden.

The existing patio had become uneven over the years and was turning into a real trip hazard. The homeowners also wanted the fencing and side gate replaced, along with a better transition between the patio and side path.

The couple were brilliant customers to work for, always keeping us supplied with refreshments while we worked, and their two small dogs kept us entertained most days causing mischief around the garden.

The first part of the job was removing and replacing an old front garden fence that had seen much better days. A lot of the fence had become completely rotten, with the hedge grown through and woven around many of the old panels and posts.

Before we could start removing the fence, we had to cut back the hedge line to gain proper access. There was also a strip of gravel running along the fence line, so this had to be carefully scraped back by hand with shovels so it could be reused afterwards.

Once we started removing the fence, most of it practically fell out on its own due to how rotten the timber had become.

Because the new fence panels were the same width as the old ones, but slightly taller at 4-foot instead of 3-foot, we were able to reuse roughly the same post positions. The old posts were so decayed that most could almost be dug out with a grafting bar alone. For the deeper parts of the holes we used post-hole diggers to clear out the final section properly before setting the new posts in place.

Once the posts were secure, the new fence panels went in smoothly and gave the front garden a much cleaner and stronger finish.

Lifting and Relaying the Patio

The rear garden patio was the main part of the project. The existing slabs had become uneven and unsafe, so the plan was to fully lift the patio, relay it properly and extend it further into the garden.

We began by carefully lifting the old slabs, trying to save as many usable ones as possible. After that we broke out the old base underneath using breaker drills and the trusty sledgehammer.

Because the patio extension needed building up slightly due to a drop in levels at the far end of the garden, the broken hardcore from the old base actually came in useful. We reused suitable material to help build the area up to the correct height before installing the new sub-base.

Preparing the New Patio Base

Once the old materials were cleared and levels sorted, we collected fresh aggregate from our local builders merchant for the new patio base and laying course.

As with most groundwork jobs, it became a case of wheelbarrowing material up and down the garden repeatedly, tipping it into place and spreading it evenly across the area.

Using a laser level, we carefully checked the heights and falls to make sure water would drain correctly away from the property. Once the levels were correct, the whole area was compacted thoroughly using a whacker plate to create a strong and stable base ready for paving.

One thing the homeowners really disliked about the old patio was the metal drain cover sitting right in the middle of it. It stood out badly and spoiled the appearance of the paving.

To improve the look of the finished patio, we installed a recessed manhole cover and cut matching slabs to fit neatly inside it. This helped the drain blend in with the surrounding paving and completely changed the appearance of the area.

Finishing Touches

Once the preparation work was complete, the patio slabs went down fairly quickly. There were quite a few cuts needed around the edges and features, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Partway through the final stages of the project, we spoke with the homeowners about improving access into the garden. Originally they had planned to keep a simple drop from the patio edge, but we suggested adding a central step down instead.

The new step opened the garden up far better and made access much safer and easier, especially for retirement living. The homeowners agreed it would work much better, so we installed the step as part of the finished design.

We also installed a concrete slope connecting the patio to the side pathway and replaced the side gate to improve access around the property.

To finish the patio properly, kiln-dried sand was brushed into all the joints between the slabs. This helps lock everything together, reduce future movement and gives the paving a much cleaner finished appearance.

Gravel strips were also installed around the patio borders to help define the edges and improve drainage.

By the end of the project the transformation was massive. What had started as an uneven and ageing patio became a clean, safe and practical outdoor space that the homeowners could properly enjoy again.

It was a pleasure carrying out this groundwork and patio project in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, and everyone at Currell Groundworks was proud of the finished result.