How to protect your garden during a build and safeguard your plants

Understanding how to protect your garden during a build is vital if you're going to prevent damage to your plants, shrubs and trees. While undertaking an extension for your home is an exciting prospect it's also important to make sure your garden doesn't suffer during the process, so that it ends up needing an overhaul too.

If you're considering a construction project it's good to do a little pre-planning with the builder to avoid causing any damage to the garden, especially if you have plants or trees growing right up near the house. You will also want to move containers, garden ornaments, barbecues and patio furniture out of harm's way, so will need to think about the best place to store them.

It's also a good idea to establish beforehand exactly where construction materials and equipment for a self-build are going to be stored rather than having them dumped on the lawn as that's the only available space when the delivery shows up. Now find out what the experts suggest about how to protect your garden during a build.

Practical considerations to protect plants

First make a list or plan of all the plants in your garden. Include what they are, where they’re planted, and include how old they are, as any recently planted specimens will be particularly vulnerable.

Pay special attention to anything rare, expensive, or especially delicate. If there are areas that need extra care – like mature trees or long-established flower beds – make sure they’re clearly marked both on the plan and with actual physical markers.

I. Clear up the garden before work starts

It's a good idea to clear the garden before any building work commences. “Prune your plants, including branches and roots that could be in the way," advises Robert Quinton, construction expert and owner of Construction Megastore. "Plan ahead and think about any trees, shrubs or plants that could be in the way of machinery, workers and building materials."

Depending what time of year it is well-established shrubs like evergreens can be cut back hard and will soon bounce back healthier than ever after this type of rejuvenation pruning.

Before builders arrive on site it’s worth taking time to check access is clear too. "Rake up any dead leaves, and make sure paths and access points are easy to move through," says Thomas ldham, co-founder of UK Construction Blog. "Laying down plywood sheets or lawn protection mats can also help. These spread the weight of heavy machinery more evenly and prevent deep ruts forming in the grass or soil becoming compacted."

Robert Quinton

Robert Quinton is the owner and director of Construction Megastore, one of the largest multi-foil manufacturers in the UK, and distributor of insulation, roofing and building products. Robert likes to involve himself with every step of the build process, helping customers achieve the best possible results, whether they are an architect, builder or merchant.

Thomas Oldham

Having worked in the engineering and construction industry for over a decade, Thomas Oldham has worked as lead engineer on a number of large scale projects for global clients such as Ford, Audi and Jaguar. He has spent the past four years using his expertise to develop the UK Construction Blog, a leading online platform dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses in the construction industry.

2. Plan construction around plants

Plants close to the construction area are particularly vulnerable to being stepped on. "Smaller shrubs and flowers might be better lifted and stored in containers until the work is finished," says Thomas. "Leaving them in place could mean losing them altogether. If you're not sure how to replant them properly afterwards, it might be worth asking a landscaper for advice."

Small plants can often be dug up and have their roots wrapped in damp burlap to keep them healthy for several weeks, advises Robert. "If necessary any larger trees and shrubs should be moved and temporarily planted in a safe spot until they’re ready to be returned to their original position."

Remember to continue watering your plants during construction, especially if you have decided to move them, says Robert. "Keeping them hydrated will help them cope better with the disruption going on around them.”

Mulching around the base of trees can help protect the roots. "It cushions against soil compaction while also helping to maintain consistent temperature and moisture levels," says Thomas. "This becomes especially helpful during longer builds, when disruption above ground can begin to affect what’s happening underneath."

When soil gets compressed, it restricts air and water flow, and your plants will soon suffer. Using mulch is always a good idea if workers will need to walk on the flower beds, as this will protect them and also stop soil compaction.

3. Protect plants from damage

“Covering plants during construction will shield them from chemicals, paint, tar and other toxic materials that can harm your garden life," advises Robert. "Sheets and lightweight cloth are useful, and can still let in some air and light. For fragile plants, build a simple frame to hold the cover up so it doesn’t press down on the leaves and stems.”

There’s also the issue of falling debris. Broken tiles, glass, bits of brick or cement, and thick dust can quickly turn a previously tidy garden into a mess, and wreck both plants and the lawn. "Simple coverings like tarpaulins, or even small temporary canopies, can prevent this," says Thomas. "They’re easy to remove and can make a real difference to how much repair work you’ll need to do afterwards."

If you don’t want to move trees or plants during construction, the next best thing is to put up fencing, rope off an area or use clear markers around parts of the garden you want to protect from any accidental damage, as this will let the construction team know that they are out of bounds.

Communicate with builders

While no construction team wants to be micro-managed it's a good idea to keep regular channels of communication open at all times. If there are important considerations for them to take into account make it clear from the start. It might even be worth putting it in writing, as part of your extension planner or other building plans.

1. Talk to your builder regularly

Make sure you voice any concerns with your builder ahead of the work starting. “Speak with your builder about how the project might affect the garden, including things like soil being moved around, dust, noise, and general mess," says Robert. "Be clear about how you’d like things protected – including temporary barriers, covering certain plants, or keeping debris under control.”

It’s always a good idea to walk the contractor through the garden before any work begins. If there's not a clear path through the garden you will need to indicate where you want the builders to go. "Point out anything you want to be protected, and agree together how that will be managed," suggests Thomas. "Even if they’re used to working around landscaping, it’s still helpful for them to know which areas matter most to you. There may also be some flexibility in the equipment or methods they’re planning to use."

It also helps to put expectations in writing, either in the contract or as an agreed checklist, so everyone’s clear on what’s staying protected and what’s being moved.

2. Keep a close eye on the work

While the work is going on, regularly check how your garden is being maintained and if it's being done in the way you would like, and communicate regularly with your builder. Most are happy to adapt their plans if a problem is raised early enough, but it’s much harder to change things once work is underway.

"If you spot any problems, take photos and raise it with the builders straight away," suggests Robert. "At the same time, be open to their feedback. Working together makes it easier to protect the garden while getting the job done properly.”

It's important not to take your eye off the ball. A lawn can quickly turn into a mud bath in a few days, or a plant be trampled underfoot to the point of no return. So monitor the situation every day to prevent any major mishaps.

3. Walk through the construction after completion

Once the work is completed, examine the garden to see if there is any damage, especially your lawn which may well have taken the brunt of it.

"Arrange a final catchup with the contractor to talk through how the project went. This also gives your the opportunity to raise any final concerns," says Robert. "It’s also a good idea to keep records of your conversations, any visits to check the site, and how any issues were dealt with, just in case you need to refer back to them later.”

Take into account insurance and legal considerations

1. Check insurance documents

Standard home insurance policies are often insufficient when it comes to how to protect your garden during a build. But worry not, as specialist insurance products are available to give you peace of mind.

"Before the build starts, double-check what your home insurance covers and what liability insurance the contractor has in place," suggests Thomas. "Not every policy includes landscaping, and it’s best to know where you stand early on. Taking a few photos of the garden beforehand can also be useful in case anything gets damaged and you need to make a claim."

Check cover includes accidental damage to garden features. It’s easy to overlook this stage, but if you end up with a damaged patio or cracked statement planter it will be expensive to put right. Generally builders won’t protect what they aren’t legally obligated to.

It's rare for general liability policies to cover softscaping unless it’s specified, so if you have listed trees and valuable plants you're concerned about it's worth looking into extra cover. If you're working with several different subcontractors make sure you know who exactly is responsible for what.

2. Consider legal implications

A vague verbal agreement isn't enough if you're embarking on a build and want to make sure your garden is protected. Instead it's a good idea to get a detailed pre-construction agreement that covers specific trees or shrubs, or other landscaped areas of the garden you're concerned about. Building contracts should specify what happens if there’s any damage to the trees or landscaping caused by the building contractors. They are designed to protect both you and your builder, and create a document to refer to in case of any disputes.

The best way to avoid legal complications is to be proactive. Put things in writing and take photographs, so if any damage does occur you’ll be well prepared. And if you’re unsure what your rights, it could be time to get legal advice to save problems once the build is underway.

FAQs

What about contamination?

There is often risk of contamination during a build and in the worst scenario it will be a violation of environmental regulations. Cement run-off, oil leaks, or paint spills can all affect the soil and surrounding plants.

Ask your builder how they plan to manage waste and store materials. Things like mixing concrete should be done well away from any plant beds or water sources, and chemicals need to be kept in proper containers, and not left sitting around open.

If toxic material spills onto your ground or gets into your water supply, you could be looking at a major clean-up. If you’re concerned about soil quality, test it before the build begins. Then if the worst happens and contamination occurs this gives you proof it wasn't there beforehand. That’s important if you need to argue that the contractor didn’t handle materials safely or violated environmental regulations.

Now you know everything about how to protect your garden during a build, find out how to make an make an extension work with a garden if you want the two to work together harmoniously.