Experienced Hard Landscaper

Talent Finder; South Oxfordshire; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £32,000–£36,000 per annum

28 days holiday + service increases

Company medical insurance

Tools & PPE provided

Career progression to Team Leader

Job summary

Talent Finder is seeking an Experienced Hard Landscaper to join our client’s team in South Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire. The role covers a wide range of hard landscaping tasks, delivering high-quality garden projects on time and within budget.

You will work with the Landscaping Team Leader and Trainee Landscaper across multiple sites, applying deep knowledge of hard landscaping construction, site setting-out, and safe operation of machinery.

Qualifications

• Three to five years' experience in hard landscaping.
• Broad experience across paving, brickwork, paths, steps, drainage, fencing, decking, foundations and other hard landscaping features.
• Ability to set out sites with minimal supervision, interpret scaled drawings, use laser levels and accurately establish levels and falls.
• Competence in site preparation, excavation, base construction and the safe operation of relevant tools, equipment and machinery.
• Strong practical skills in paving, cutting, pointing and achieving accurate, high-quality finishes.

Responsibilities

• Carry out site clearance and preparation, operate excavators, skip loaders and other plant machinery safely, and set out sites using scaled drawings, laser levels and other setting-out tools.
• Set levels, accurately excavate bases to the required depth and prepare foundations for patios, paths, driveways and other landscaping features.
• Install drainage systems, including drainage pipes, soakaways, slot drains, ACO drains and French drains.
• Prepare bases and foundations, construct footings and work with hand-mixed and poured concrete.
• Construct reinforced concrete blockwork and other reinforced concrete structures.
• Lay paving of uniform and mixed sizes, achieving high standards of finish and understanding levels, falls and drainage requirements.

Skills

Hard landscaping

Paving

Brickwork

Drainage

Site setup & levels

Team collaboration

Tools

360 excavators

Skip loaders

Laser levels

Job description

Experienced Hard Landscaper | South Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire & Berkshire | Full Time | £32,000–£36,000 per annum

Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:45 am – 4:45 pm, with one hour unpaid lunch (40 hours per week)

Our client specialises in garden design and landscaping, creating beautiful, biodiverse gardens that support wildlife and wellbeing. They deliver individual garden projects involving a wide range of hard and soft landscaping, with a focus on high-quality workmanship and attention to detail.

The Role

You will be an experienced Hard Landscaper joining one of the landscaping teams, delivering garden design projects to a high standard, on time and within budget.

This is a key role where your skills and experience will directly influence the quality and pace of project delivery. You will need broad and in-depth knowledge of hard landscaping construction, the ability to work independently with minimal supervision and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Working as part of a team alongside a Landscaping Team Leader and Trainee Landscaper, you will undertake a variety of projects across South Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. You will also have the opportunity to share your knowledge with junior team members and progress into a Team Leader position.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out site clearance and preparation, operate excavators, skip loaders and other plant machinery safely, and set out sites using scaled drawings, laser levels and other setting-out tools
• Set levels, accurately excavate bases to the required depth and prepare foundations for patios, paths, driveways and other landscaping features
• Install drainage systems, including drainage pipes, soakaways, slot drains, ACO drains and French drains
• Prepare bases and foundations, construct footings and work with hand-mixed and poured concrete
• Construct reinforced concrete blockwork and other reinforced concrete structures
• Lay paving of uniform and mixed sizes, achieving high standards of finish and understanding levels, falls and drainage requirements
• Complete wet, dry and resin-based pointing, accurately cut curves in paving and install recessed drain covers
• Use disc cutters and grinders confidently and competently
• Carry out brickwork, including brick edging, retaining walls, raised beds, gate piers, walls, curved walls, soldier courses and wall capping
• Construct paths using bricks, pavers, gravel and self-binding gravel, with brick, stone, granite sett, metal and timber edging
• Install stone setts, create different brick paving patterns and construct curved paths with neat, accurate finishes
• Construct permeable driveways, driveway grid systems, block-paved surfaces and gravel driveways
• Build steps, lay and face treads, and manage changes in levels across sites
• Construct natural stone walls with a dry-stone effect and use pillared slate to face retaining walls and water features
• Prepare ground and erect various types of fencing, including picket, hazel hurdle, close-board, slatted and panel fencing, using a nail gun where required
• Measure, cut and install timber for pergolas, gazebos and smaller structures, using suitable joints and fixings for softwood and hardwood
• Set out, frame and board decking, including curved decking and decks overhanging ponds
• Construct water features, install liners, dress natural ponds with stone and understand pond pump installation and operation
• Prepare ground for turfing, including soil incorporation and levelling, and lay turf efficiently in different conditions
• Prepare planting areas, handle plants correctly, identify perennials, shrubs and trees, and understand soil structure and growing mediums
• Carry out planting, tree staking and the installation of climbers on wires
• Assist with irrigation systems, including battery-operated systems, lawn sprinklers and drip lines, and support rainwater harvesting installations where required
• Maintain tools, equipment and a clean, safe working environment
• Work collaboratively with the Landscaping Team Leader and other team members to resolve problems and meet project deadlines
• Support and train junior team members by explaining landscaping techniques and construction methods clearly
• Help plan team workloads, estimate task durations and report project progress to the Projects and Contracts Manager

Requirements

• Approximately three to five years' experience in hard landscaping, with a high level of practical competence across hard landscaping construction
• Broad experience across paving, brickwork, paths, steps, drainage, fencing, decking, foundations and other hard landscaping features
• Ability to set out sites with minimal supervision, interpret scaled drawings, use laser levels and accurately establish levels and falls
• Competence in site preparation, excavation, base construction and the safe operation of relevant tools, equipment and machinery
• Strong practical skills in paving, cutting, pointing and achieving accurate, high-quality finishes
• Knowledge of construction materials, aggregates, concrete, drainage systems and suitable construction methods
• Experience constructing walls, steps, paths, driveways and other permanent landscaping features
• Good understanding of relevant health and safety requirements
• A can-do attitude, with enthusiasm for problem-solving and taking on new challenges
• A high level of physical fitness and the ability to undertake demanding outdoor work in different weather conditions
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to delivering work on time, within budget and to a high standard
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Reliability, flexibility and a willingness to take responsibility for the quality of your work
• Experience in dry-stone walling, hedgelaying or other specialist landscaping skills
• Experience operating 360 excavators, skip loaders and other plant machinery, with relevant tickets
• Carpentry experience involving pergolas, gazebos, timber structures and decking
• Experience installing irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting systems
• Experience training, supporting and developing junior team members
• Team leadership experience, including planning workloads, estimating task durations and reporting progress
• A full, clean and valid driving licence

What’s In It For You

• £32,000–£36,000 per annum, depending on experience
• 28 days' annual leave, increasing by one day after two years of service and by a further day each year up to five years of service
• An additional two to three days at Christmas, depending on when Christmas falls
• One additional Nature Day to connect with nature
• Discretionary Christmas bonus
• Additional ad hoc bonuses or treats for five-star Google reviews
• Company medical insurance through Vitality
• Health and wellbeing programme
• All tools and equipment provided
• Uniform, waterproofs and PPE provided
• Career progression opportunities into Team Leader roles, more complex projects and management positions

Your data will be handled in line with GDPR.