When most people hear “landscaping”, they think planting and turf. But in real life, landscape contractors often handle everything that turns an outdoor space into something you can use aths, patios, drainage, fencing, levels, steps, and the finishing touches that make it feel “done”.
If you’re in Waltham Abbey (EN9) and you’re comparing quotes or trying to plan a project, this guide breaks down the full range of services landscape contractors typically offer — plus a few real-world examples so you know what to ask for.
1) Design and planning services
Some landscape contractors offer design in-house; others work with your ideas or a separate designer.
Typical “planning” services include:
- Measuring up and setting out the space
- Layout planning (where the patio, lawn, beds, path, bins, sheds, etc. go)
- Levels and “falls” (so water runs away from your house)
- Material recommendations (stone vs porcelain vs block paving vs resin)
- A simple phased plan (do the patio now, fencing next, planting later)
Example:
You want a patio for dining, but also a safe route to the shed and somewhere for bins that aren’t on show. A good contractor will plan the layout, so you don’t end up walking across wet grass all winter.
2) Groundworks and drainage
This is the “unseen” work that stops future problems like sinking slabs, puddles, or muddy patches.
Landscape contractors often handle:
- Excavation and waste removal
- Sub-base installation and compaction (the foundation under patios/paths)
- Levelling and reshaping the garden
- Drainage solutions (channels, soakaways, correcting low spots)
South East Block Paving Ltd lists groundworks and drainage as part of its landscaping offering, alongside installation, repairs, and maintenance.
Example:
If your lawn turns boggy near the patio edge, the fix is usually drainage + levels — not “better turf”.
3) Hard landscaping
Hard landscaping is anything built from stone/brick/concrete/aggregate — basically the parts you walk on or sit on.
Most landscape contractors can do:
- Patios (stone, porcelain, concrete, or block)
- Paths and walkways
- Steps and raised areas
- Edging, kerbs, and borders
- Driveway tie-ins (where the driveway meets the front garden)
On their site, South East Block Paving Ltd highlights patios, driveways, block paving and resin bound surfaces as core services alongside landscaping.
Example:
A patio looks great on day one — but if the base and edging aren’t right, you’ll notice rocking slabs or gaps after the first winter.
4) Soft landscaping
This is the living part of the garden — what makes it feel green and finished.
Soft landscaping can include:
- Turfing (new lawn installation)
- Planting (beds, shrubs, small trees)
- Soil improvement and topsoil spreading
- Mulching and weed control membranes
- Basic garden reshaping for planting areas
South East Block Paving Ltd specifically lists turfing within its landscaping services
Example:
If you’ve got kids, you might prioritise a level lawn area with solid edging so it stays neat and doesn’t crumble into borders.
5) Fencing and boundaries
Fencing is often part of a landscaping job because it affects privacy, security, and the overall look.
Landscape contractors commonly offer:
- Close board fencing and panels
- Gates and access points
- Replacing posts and fixing storm damage
- Finishing touches like gravel boards and neat boundary lines
South East Block Paving Ltd includes fencing as a dedicated service and within its broader landscaping solutions.
Example:
New patio + old leaning fence = the patio never looks “complete”. Doing both together often saves hassle.
6) Garden walls, steps, and small building works
Many landscape contractors also do “small general building” items that support the garden structure.
This can include:
- Garden walls (decorative or retaining)
- Brickwork planters
- Steps up/down changes in level
- Small repairs around entrances and edges
South East Block Paving Ltd lists garden walls & steps under landscaping and also promotes general building as part of its overall service list.
Example:
A small retaining wall can turn a sloped, awkward corner into a level seating area or a clean planting bed.
7) Finishing touches and maintenance
Once the building is done, good contractors will also advise on (or provide) maintenance.
Typical finishing and aftercare include:
- Repointing or jointing checks
- Cleaning advice (especially for porcelain/natural stone)
- Re-seeding patchy lawn edges
- Minor repairs after settling
South East Block Paving Ltd describes offering landscaping projects “from installations and restoration to maintenance.”
What a full landscaping project often looks like
A common “whole garden” package might include:
- New patio area for seating
- A path to the shed/side gate
- Fresh turf and tidy borders
- New fencing for privacy
- Drainage fixes where water collects
The key benefit of hiring landscape contractors is that they can tie everything together, so you don’t end up with separate bits that don’t quite line up.
How to choose the right landscape contractor
The RHS advice is simple and practical:
- consider a contractor who belongs to a professional organisation,
- ask for references/photos and ideally speak to past clients,
- get more than one quote,
- and be clear on scope and budget.
If you want a UK trade body reference point, BALI describes itself as the UK’s leading landscaping trade association, with 900+ members.
8 quick questions to ask before you book
- What’s included (and excluded) in the quote?
- How will you handle levels and drainage?
- What’s the base build-up under patios/paths?
- How will edges be restrained (so they don’t move)?
- Who removes waste/spoil — included or extra?
- What’s the realistic timeline (weather included)?
- Can I see similar local work?
- What aftercare do you recommend?
Final thought
Landscape contractors do far more than “make it look nice”. The best ones combine groundworks, drainage, hard landscaping, soft landscaping, fencing, and small building works to create an outdoor space that’s practical, safe, and easy to live with.