Garden drainage: plan the site visit
Prepare for a garden drainage site visit: record standing water, explain your plans and agree what the landscaping quote should include.
If water collects in your garden, start by showing your installer where it appears and what happens after rain. Before agreeing new paving or landscaping, ask for the drainage, finished levels and destination of the water to be discussed together.
Record what happens before changing the garden
Take photographs from the same safe viewpoint during and after rainfall. Note which areas stay wet, whether water gathers beside the house or at the bottom of steps, and whether you have noticed a change since earlier garden work. Describe what you have seen rather than trying to diagnose the cause.
On a simple sketch, mark the house, patio, paths, lawn, steps and any visible drains. Add the places where water collects. Keep these notes for the site visit, especially if the garden is dry when the installer arrives.
Explain how you want to use the space
Are you replacing a patio, adding a path or changing the layout of the whole garden? Show which areas you want to keep and which you want to alter. Include access to doors, gates and storage, along with any walls or planters in the proposed work.
PIMI’s landscaping and hardscaping service includes drainage, paths and changes in level. Its site assessment covers the space, drainage and access. Tell the team about the water problem at the start, alongside your plans for the garden.
Ask where the water will go
PIMI’s garden service page describes assessing existing drainage and using soakaways or French drains where needed. Those are options for assessment, rather than a specification to choose from a photograph. Ask which approach is proposed for your site and why.
- What needs checking before a drainage solution can be recommended?
- Where is the water intended to go?
- How will the proposed patio and path levels work with that drainage?
- Does any existing drainage need further investigation?
- What excavation, removal and reinstatement are included?
- Will any part of the work need a drainage specialist?
Agree the scope before the finish
Ask for the proposed drainage work and changes in level to be described in the quote. Check which paving, planting or other areas will be disturbed and what will be put back. If further investigation is needed before the scope can be confirmed, ask what that involves and when you will receive an updated proposal.
Discuss your garden with PIMI
Have your postcode, photographs and sketch ready. Describe the drainage problem, the outdoor work you want and any restrictions on access. PIMI can discuss drainage alongside your paths, paving and garden layout.
Request a landscaping and hardscaping quote
Related service: landscaping and drainage services
