Gravel raking in Exeter
Professional gravel raking services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
0.5-1.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Gravel raked level and evenly distributed. Weeds and debris removed, edges tidied, looking maintained and cared for again.
When Gravel Stops Looking Smart
You chose gravel because it's low-maintenance. And it is... mostly. But over time:
- High spots appear where you walk
- Bare patches where gravel's got thin
- Weeds poking through
- Edges spreading into borders
- Generally looking scruffy instead of crisp
And raking gravel is one of those jobs that's simple but mind-numbingly tedious when you're doing it yourself. Especially if you've got a decent-sized area.
💡 Pro tip: Regular raking (annually or bi-annually) keeps gravel in good condition. Leave it for years and you'll need to add new gravel as well as rake - costs more.
What Proper Gravel Maintenance Does
It's not just dragging a rake around. Here's what makes the difference:
| ✅ Done Properly | ❌ Quick Rake |
|---|---|
| Even distribution | Just smoothed the surface |
| Edges redefined | Gravel all over borders |
| Weeds removed | Weeds broken up, roots left |
| Compacted areas broken | Still patchy underneath |
The goal? Make it look like freshly-laid gravel again, not just slightly less messy.
Pricing
| Area Size | Time Needed | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small path or border | 30-45 mins | £60 |
| Driveway or larger path | 1 hr | £60 |
| Multiple areas or very neglected | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-£85 |
| Extensive areas | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. New gravel additional if needed - typically £40-60 per bulk bag delivered.
What Gets Done
🌾 The Raking Process
- Clear - remove obvious debris and weeds
- Rake - redistribute gravel evenly across area
- Break - work through compacted sections
- Edge - redefine boundaries, pull back from borders
- Level - final pass for even finish
✅ You get:
- Evenly distributed gravel
- No bare patches or high spots
- Clean edges
- Surface weeds removed
- That "freshly maintained" look
Perfect for These Situations
✅ Annual maintenance - keep it looking good
✅ Before selling - kerb appeal matters
✅ After builders/deliveries - mess left behind
✅ Spring refresh - winter debris cleared
✅ Can't face doing it - tedious work someone else can handle
Why Choose Us for Gravel raking in Exeter?
Gravel evenly distributed again
Weeds removed from surface
Edges redefined
Looks freshly laid
What to Expect
Step 1: Assess the Area
I'll look at what condition it's in, whether you need extra gravel, and identify any problem areas needing extra attention.
Step 2: Rake Systematically
Work through the area methodically - clearing weeds first, then redistributing gravel, then final level pass.
Step 3: Tidy Edges
Pull gravel back from borders and beds, redefine the edges, leave it looking crisp and maintained.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to rake your own gravel? Here's how to get good results:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Garden rake (NOT a lawn rake - needs stronger tines)
- Stiff brush for edges
- Bucket or trug for weeds/debris
- Kneeling pad if pulling weeds
📋 Efficient raking method
- Clear obvious rubbish first
- Pull visible weeds before raking
- Rake in long strokes, not choppy jabs
- Work backwards so you're raking behind you
- Do edges last
🪨 Getting gravel level
- High traffic areas get compacted - rake to break up
- Turn the gravel over, don't just smooth surface
- Pull from thick areas to thin patches
- Use back of rake to smooth final surface
- Edges should be crisp line, not gradual fade
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Using wrong rake (lawn rake is useless)
- Not pulling weeds first
- Just moving surface gravel around
- Forgetting to tidy edges
- Raking when it's sodden (makes a mess)
💡 Pro trick: If you've got bare patches, check if gravel's actually disappeared (trampled into soil) or just migrated. Often it's all still there, just pushed to the sides. Rake from edges toward middle first to see.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌾 Weed membrane underneath? If you've got proper membrane, weeds mostly grow in the top layer of gravel from seeds. Easy to rake out. No membrane means weeds root through - harder to control.
Adding new gravel: If yours is genuinely thin, you need gravel that matches. Bring me a sample or photo and I can get the right stuff. Mixing types looks terrible.
Seasonal timing: Spring is traditional (clear winter debris) but autumn works too (before leaves get trampled in). Avoid mid-winter when it's sodden.
Combine with other work: Makes sense to rake gravel when I'm there doing borders or general garden tidy. Save the separate callout.
Long-term prevention: Can't stop gravel migrating entirely, but good edging (brick, metal strips, timber) helps keep it contained. Worth considering if you're constantly re-raking edges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does gravel raking actually involve?
I'll rake the gravel to redistribute it evenly, break up any compacted areas, remove weeds and debris, redefine the edges where gravel has spread, and generally make it look maintained rather than messy. Simple stuff but makes a big difference.
Can you add more gravel if mine's got thin?
Yes - I can advise how much you need, supply it, and rake it in evenly. Often gravel gets pushed to edges or trampled into soil, leaving bare patches. Fresh gravel plus proper raking sorts it.
How often does gravel need raking?
Depends on use and location. High-traffic paths maybe twice a year. Quiet areas once a year or even less. I'll advise based on what I see - some gravel barely needs touching, others need regular attention.
Will raking get rid of the weeds in my gravel?
I'll rake out surface weeds and debris, yes. But if you've got deep-rooted weeds or lots of weed growth, that needs treating separately - weed killer, then raking when dead, or hand-pulling then raking. Pure raking helps but doesn't solve serious weed problems.
What about gravel that's mixed into the soil underneath?
That's trickier - happens when there's no membrane underneath and gravel gets trampled down. Raking brings some back up but you might need more gravel added to compensate for what's lost. I'll advise when I see it.
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