Frequently Asked Questions

We are based in the Brighton area and work with homeowners across Brighton, Hove and the surrounding parts of East Sussex, including Lewes, Peacehaven, Seaford, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, Shoreham-by-Sea, Worthing and beyond. If you are not sure whether we cover your area, just get in touch and we will let you know.

Builds by James is run by James Church, a local builder and landscaper with 20 years of experience in the construction industry. James is personally involved in every project, from the first enquiry and quotation through to the work on site and the final handover.

Yes. We are proud members of the Federation of Master Builders and are TrustMark registered, giving customers additional reassurance when choosing Builds by James for their project.

Yes. We provide free, no-obligation quotations. We take the time to understand what you want to achieve, assess the site and explain the practical options before providing a clear, detailed quote.

After the first conversation we arrange a site visit to understand the project and prepare a detailed quotation. Once the work is agreed, James stays personally involved throughout, keeping you informed, maintaining a tidy site and making sure everything is properly constructed before final handover.

Yes. Builds by James Ltd is a limited company registered in England and Wales (company number 16517521), giving customers the reassurance of dealing with a properly established business.

We focus on quality workmanship, good communication and treating our clients and their homes with respect. We believe a successful project is not only about how the finished work looks, but also about the experience the client has while it is being built.

Every garden is different, but our landscaping projects typically start from around £5,000. The final cost depends on the size of the garden, access, ground conditions, materials and the amount of construction required. Larger garden transformations involving patios, walls, steps and changes in level can cost considerably more.

Yes. Complete garden transformations are exactly the type of projects we enjoy. We can combine patios, paving, walls, steps, paths, lawns, sleeper work, fencing and drainage to create a complete finished garden.

No. If you already have professional plans, we’re happy to work from them. If not, we can discuss what you want to achieve and the practical construction options available for the space.

This depends on the size and complexity of the project. Smaller landscaping projects may take a couple of weeks, while larger transformations can take several weeks or longer. We’ll discuss the expected programme with you before work begins.

Yes. Sloping and awkward gardens can often be transformed using retaining walls, steps, terracing and carefully planned changes in level.

Most normal garden landscaping does not require planning permission, but some projects involving significant changes in levels, raised areas, structures, boundaries or listed properties may require permission. We recommend checking with your local planning authority where necessary.

Yes. Drainage and water movement are important considerations, particularly when installing new hard landscaping or changing existing garden levels. Where required, drainage can be incorporated into the project.

The cost depends on the size of the patio, paving material, access, ground conditions, excavation, drainage and complexity of the design. Our patio projects typically start from around £3,000, and we provide a detailed quotation once we’ve assessed what is required.

Both can produce excellent patios but offer different finishes. Porcelain provides a consistent, contemporary appearance and is relatively low maintenance, while natural stone has more variation and character. We can help you choose a material that works with your property, garden and budget.

This depends on the size, access, excavation requirements and complexity of the paving. Smaller patios may take around a week, while larger or more involved projects can take several weeks. We’ll give you an expected timescale before work begins.

Yes. We can remove an existing patio and prepare the area correctly before installing the new paving. We will also assess the existing ground, levels and drainage rather than simply laying new paving over a poor base.

Correct drainage is an important part of patio construction. The paving needs suitable falls to manage rainwater, and some gardens may also require additional drainage depending on the levels, ground conditions and surrounding property.

In most cases we prefer to assess what is underneath the existing paving first. A new patio is only as good as the base supporting it, so laying directly over an existing patio isn’t always the best long-term solution.

Most patios at or near ground level do not normally require planning permission. However, different rules can apply to front gardens, listed properties and projects involving significant changes in levels or raised areas. If you’re unsure, we recommend checking with your local planning authority.

Correct preparation is one of the most important parts of the installation. Depending on the site, this can include excavation, preparing and compacting the sub-base, establishing the correct levels and falls, and creating the appropriate laying bed for the chosen paving

Our garden step projects typically start from around £1,500. The final cost depends on the number of steps, construction method, materials, access, excavation, changes in level and whether retaining walls or other landscaping are required.

Garden steps can be constructed and finished using materials including brick, natural stone, porcelain, concrete, blockwork and timber. We can recommend suitable options based on the style of the garden, surrounding materials and budget.

Yes. Garden steps are often an important part of making a sloping garden easier to use. They can be combined with paths, retaining walls and terracing to create a practical route through different levels of the garden.

Yes. Existing steps can be removed and replaced where they are damaged, uncomfortable to use, poorly positioned or no longer suitable for the garden.

We measure the overall change in height and the available space before setting out the steps. This allows us to create consistent risers and comfortable treads that work with the surrounding garden levels.

Yes. Where suitable materials are available, steps can be designed using paving, brick or stone that complements the existing patio, property or surrounding landscaping.

Garden steps do not normally require planning permission. However, permission or Building Regulations may become relevant in certain circumstances, particularly where steps form part of access to the house, a raised structure or a larger development.

A standard garden wall may be used to create a boundary, raised bed or decorative feature. A retaining wall has the additional job of holding back soil and supporting a change in ground level, so its construction and drainage require additional consideration.

We can construct walls using materials including brick, blockwork, natural stone and timber sleepers. The most appropriate material depends on what the wall needs to do as well as the appearance you want to achieve.

Yes. Retaining walls can be used to make sloping gardens more practical by creating terraces and usable level areas. They can also be incorporated alongside steps, paths and patios as part of a larger garden transformation.

Water building up behind a retaining wall can create considerable additional pressure. Appropriate drainage is therefore an important part of retaining wall construction and is considered when we plan and build the wall.

Yes. We can assess an existing wall and, where replacement is required, remove it and construct a suitable new retaining wall. We will consider why the existing wall has failed, including drainage and ground conditions, rather than simply replacing it like-for-like.

Many domestic garden walls can be constructed without planning permission. However, permission may be required depending on the height and location of the wall, particularly near a highway, or where a listed building, conservation area or other restrictions are involved. We recommend checking with the local planning authority where required.

Not every garden retaining wall requires a structural engineer. However, for larger or more complex walls, significant changes in level or where the wall is supporting additional loads, an engineer may be required to provide an appropriate design. We are happy to construct the wall to an engineer’s specification where necessary.

We carry out ground preparation associated with landscaping and external construction, including excavation, sub-base preparation, foundations for garden structures, preparation for patios and paths, and drainage works.

Potentially, yes. The first step is understanding why water is collecting. Depending on the cause, improvements may involve adjusting levels, installing suitable drainage or improving how surface water is managed.

The appropriate solution depends on the individual garden. Options can include drainage channels, land drains, soakaways and changes to surface levels and falls. We assess the site before recommending an approach.

Yes, water management should always be considered when installing hard landscaping. Patios and paths need appropriate falls, and some projects may require additional drainage depending on the surrounding levels and ground conditions.

A soakaway is designed to collect surface water and allow it to gradually disperse into suitable surrounding ground rather than sending the water directly into the drainage system. Whether a soakaway is appropriate depends on the ground conditions and available space.

Yes. Correct excavation and ground preparation form an important part of our landscaping work. We can prepare the appropriate sub-base and levels before constructing the finished patio, path, steps or other landscaping.

Yes. Where required, excavation and the removal of spoil can be included within the project and quotation.

Yes. This is often the best time to address drainage because we can consider it alongside the new garden levels, patios, paths, walls and other landscaping rather than treating it as an isolated problem.