PRECISION EXCAVATION FOR POOLS & LANDSCAPES
We are the structural surgeons for your garden. Creating laser-levelled foundations for swimming pools, patios, and luxury landscaping with our compact, low-impact Volvo fleet.
Tight Access (750mm)
Micro-Diggers fit through standard gates.
Rubber
Tracks
Protects driveways and paving.
Full Muck
Away
We load directly, no skips required.
Laser
Levelling
+/- 10mm tolerance for pool shells.
Surgical Precision in Finished Gardens
Excavating for a swimming pool or sunken terrace in an established garden requires a delicate touch. Standard construction equipment is often too heavy, too wide, and too clumsy for high-end residential projects. Using the wrong machinery can result in cracked driveways, damaged fences, and a lawn that looks like a battlefield.
At Tilsley Groundworks, we approach your garden differently. We operate as "Structural Surgeons." Our fleet includes specific "Zero-Tail Swing" Volvo excavators. These advanced machines rotate within the width of their own tracks. This allows us to dig vertical pool walls right up to your boundary fence or conservatory without the rear of the machine swinging out and causing collateral damage.
From Lichfield to Sutton Coldfield, we work with homeowners who demand a pristine finish. We utilise heavy-duty ground protection mats to create temporary roads across your lawn, ensuring that once the hole is dug and the soil is removed, your garden remains as green as we found it.
Residential Excavation Services
Pool Shell Preparation
Whether you are installing a fibreglass one-piece pool, a liner pool, or a concrete tiled pool, the longevity of the installation depends on the dig. We excavate to strict tolerances (+/- 10mm), installing the drainage stone and blinding layer so your pool installer has a perfectly flat canvas. We handle the complex logistics of soil removal (muck away) simultaneously, keeping the site clear.
Landscaping & Levelling
Transforming a sloped garden into usable space requires moving earth intelligently. We specialize in "cut and fill" operations to create flat terraces, sunken seating areas, and raised lawns. Using laser-guided grading buckets, we sculpt the ground to the exact contours designed by your landscape architect, ensuring proper drainage and soil stability.
Sub-Base & Drainage
A driveway is only as good as its sub-base. We excavate old concrete and tarmac, installing geotextile membranes and compacting Type 1 MOT stone to highways standards. We also install Aco drainage channels and soakaways to ensure your new driveway complies with SUDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) regulations and never holds water.
Will It Fit? Yes.
Our fleet is engineered for residential restrictions.
The biggest barrier to a garden project is often access. "Can you get the digger down the side alley?" is the most common question we face. Thanks to our investment in Volvo compact machinery, the answer is almost always yes.
Volvo ECR25D & Micro-Fleet
Retractable Tracks
Our smallest machines can retract their width to just 750mm—narrower than a standard pedestrian door frame.
Foldable ROPS
The roll-over protection frame folds down, allowing us to drive through garages or under low arches (2.3m height clearance).
Low Ground Pressure
Rubber tracks spread the weight of the machine, preventing ruts in your lawn or cracks in your patio.
From Lawn to Level: How We Work
1
Logistics Planning
We visit your property to measure gate widths and scan for underground utilities (gas/electric/water). We plan exactly how the soil will leave your garden before a machine arrives.
2
Ground Guarding
We lay specialised ground protection mats to create a temporary road from the street to the dig site. This protects your driveway from tyre marks and prevents mud from tracking onto the road.
3
The Dig
We excavate the site with laser precision. Crucially, we use Grab Lorries rather than skips. We load the soil directly from the garden onto the lorry, meaning no unsightly skips blocking your driveway or the public road.
4
Ready for Install
We leave you with a perfectly level, compacted surface. Whether it's for a pool company or a paving contractor, we hand over a site that is ready for immediate construction.
Transformations
Before/After
See how we have transformed gardens across Staffordshire. From tight-access terrace preparations in Tamworth to luxury pool excavations in large country estates.
Landscaping Groundworks FAQ
How do you remove the soil (muck away) without skips?
How do you remove the soil (muck away) without skips?
Will the machinery damage my existing patio?
Will the machinery damage my existing patio?
Do you install the swimming pool shell?
Do you install the swimming pool shell?
