Ground Prep Consultation

🧱 Concrete Slabs

Good old-fashioned option. Properly laid concrete slabs give you a rock-solid, level base that won’t move. Needs a compacted hardcore base underneath and a whacker plate run over it. Once it’s down, it’s not going anywhere — ideal for permanent setups.

🪵 Timber Decking
Classic wooden decking looks great and gives you a clean, raised surface. Needs a good subframe (pressure-treated timber) and solid support underneath — usually posts into the ground or pads. Keep airflow underneath and treat it yearly if exposed.

🛠️ PVC or Composite Decking
A posh upgrade. Looks like timber but lasts longer and won’t rot or fade. Needs a similar subframe underneath, but once it’s in, it’s low maintenance. Good for modern setups or anywhere you don’t want the hassle of annual staining.

🧊 Ground Screws + Frame
Perfect if you want to avoid concrete. Ground screws twist straight into the soil and hold timber frames solid. Fast, clean install with no mess. Great on sloped or uneven land. Ideal if you might move things later — or don’t want to dig.

🪨 Gravel Base
Quick and cheap for lighter structures or temporary builds. Needs a weed membrane underneath and 10–15cm of compacted Type 1 MOT or pea gravel on top. Level it off and you’re good. Can add paving slabs on top for extra support under feet.

⚒️ Plastic Grids + Gravel Fill
These honeycomb plastic grids lock into each other and get filled with gravel — keeps everything stable and stops the gravel from shifting about. Works well for saunas or tubs that need airflow underneath or good drainage.

🧱 Full Concrete Pad
If you’re going big and heavy — like a commercial site or full outdoor spa area — a full poured concrete pad is the king of bases. Lasts forever, but definitely more expensive and needs shuttering, proper fall for drainage, and a mix truck if it’s big.

If you’re not sure what to go for, we usually say:

• Concrete slabs or gravel + slab mix for solid simple jobs
• PVC or timber decking for clean, stylish finishes
• Ground screws and frame if you're on a slope or want less mess