Concrete steps and access ramps in London & Kent, solid and safe.

Steps and ramps built on site

Concrete steps and ramps are formed in place. We dig out and compact the base, build timber shuttering to the shape you need, reinforce the concrete and pour. Once it has set, the formwork comes off and we finish the edges.

Because they are poured on site, they follow the exact height and angle of your slope, instead of a precast unit that nearly fits.

• Even rise and going so steps feel comfortable and safe
• Reinforced concrete with a non-slip finish
• Ramps to accessible gradients
• Formwork removed and edges finished

Getting the rise and going right

Steps feel wrong when the rise, which is the height of each one, changes along the flight. The eye and foot get used to a pattern, and an uneven one causes trips. We measure the total height and divide it evenly, so every step matches.

Garden steps are not covered by the strict rules that apply to stairs inside a house, but the same principles apply. A deep tread with a modest rise is easier on the knees than a short, steep one.

Ramps for mobility and wheelchair access

A ramp needs to be gentle enough to use. The longer and shallower it is, the easier it is for a wheelchair, a mobility scooter or a pushchair. Space often limits that: a ramp for a high threshold needs a lot of run. We can measure up and tell you what is practical.

Tell us who will use it and how, as it affects the width, the gradient and where landings or handrails are needed. For anything built for accessible use, check the current guidance on gradients and handrails.

Ground preparation matters

Steps and ramps crack and move when the ground below is soft. We excavate to firm ground, compact a sub-base and reinforce. Where a slope needs cutting back to make room, we do that with the digger as part of the job. Our smallest kit needs around 80cm of clear width, so side passages are rarely a problem.

Where steps join an existing path or patio, we match the levels so there is no lip to trip over, and we leave the joint neat. If the ground beside the steps needs a retaining edge, we can form that in concrete at the same time.

Planning, finishing and handrails

Steps and ramps in a garden rarely need planning permission, but check with your council if the work is at the front near a highway, in a conservation area, or on a listed property. Concrete needs time to cure, so expect to keep off it for 24 to 48 hours before walking on it.

Where steps are steep or have a drop at the side, a handrail makes them safer. We can leave the concrete ready for a rail to be fixed, or plan the edges so one can be added later. Ask when you quote.

The finish matters as much as the shape. A brushed or textured surface gives grip when wet, whereas a smooth trowelled finish can be slippery in frost or rain. For ramps we always recommend a textured finish.

Think about drainage at the foot of steps and ramps too. A slight fall keeps water moving away rather than freezing on the surface.

Send a photo of the slope and the height from top to bottom, and we will suggest a layout, the number of steps and a position for any landing.

Areas covered

We build steps and ramps across London and Greater London and throughout Kent, including Croydon, Bromley, Bexley, Dartford, Sevenoaks, Maidstone and Canterbury. Send photos and a height measurement on WhatsApp for a free quote.

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