Garden walls and brickwork in Ashford.

What does your garden wall need to do?

Retaining walls: assess the ground before the finish

A retaining wall is not simply a decorative wall with soil behind it. Its construction needs to account for the ground it supports, water management and nearby features such as paths, driveways or buildings.

Show us the ground levels on both sides and explain any planned changes. The assessment should establish whether specialist structural design is needed before the construction is agreed. Foundations, wall thickness and drainage details must suit the actual proposal; there is no single specification for every garden.

Our West Malling project included brick retaining walls alongside block paving, a porcelain patio and fencing. We can discuss walling within a similar combination of garden improvements, subject to assessment of your site.

Explore the West Malling project

How much does a garden wall cost in Ashford?

Length and height are a starting point, but the purpose and construction have a major effect on price. A low boundary wall, a wall with piers and railings, and a retaining wall supporting a level change are different scopes of work.

The quotation should account for excavation, foundations, materials, labour, coping and finishing. Access, removal of an existing wall, waste disposal, reinstatement of paving and any specialist design can also affect the total.

The retail cost of bricks is only one part of the job. Send photographs, approximate dimensions and your Ashford postcode, and explain whether the wall will retain soil. We can assess the proposed work and provide a free, no-obligation quote.

What is the cheapest retaining wall option?

There is no cheapest option that suits every site. A timber sleeper feature, a masonry wall and a more substantial engineered structure have different uses, maintenance needs and construction requirements.

Compare options that are suitable for the retained height and conditions, including their complete installation and expected upkeep. Our Ashford sandstone patio project used softwood timber sleeper retaining walls; it is an example of a different garden construction, not a substitute specification for every masonry wall.

See the Ashford patio and sleeper walls

Choosing bricks, mortar and coping

Consider colour, texture and dimensions alongside the house, paving and existing walls. New bricks can look different beside weathered masonry, so compare samples before deciding on a match.

Agree the visible details as well as the main material: brick bond, mortar colour, joints, coping and pier caps. If railings or gates are part of the plan, their supports and fixing requirements need considering before the piers are built.

Do I need planning permission for a garden wall?

In England, a new wall normally does not require planning permission when it is no higher than 1 metre beside a highway used by vehicles or its footpath, or 2 metres elsewhere, provided the other conditions are met.

Listed buildings, boundaries with listed properties, planning conditions and Article 4 directions can change this. Removing a wall in a conservation area may also need permission. Check the proposal with the local planning authority where unsure; planning limits do not determine whether a wall is structurally suitable.

Read Planning Portal’s garden wall guidance.

What to send for a garden wall quotation

• Your postcode and photos showing the whole proposed wall line.
• Approximate length and height, including different levels on either side.
• Whether the wall is a boundary, retaining structure or planting feature.
• Any existing wall to remove or materials you want to reuse.
• Access restrictions, nearby trees, buildings and known services.
• Your preferred finish and any steps, gates or railings to include.

Questions about garden brickwork in Ashford