30 · Tools & Safety Checklist
The right tools make the build faster and safer. This is the kit to gather before you dig.
Digging & earthworks
- Spade, digging fork, and a sharp garden spade for clean edges
- Wheelbarrow and builder's line / hose for marking
- Long spirit level and a straight timber for leveling shelves
- Rented mini-digger for anything over ~10 m²
- Tamper or hand rammer for the base
Liner & finishing
- Geotextile underlay (or clean carpet/sand)
- Utility knife and sharp scissors for EPDM
- Heavy stones / coping for the edge
- Spray foam (pond-safe) for anchoring rockwork
Water & power
- Submersible or external pump, flexible PVC pipe, unions, valves
- GFCI-protected outdoor circuit (installed by an electrician)
- Hose with dechlorinator for filling
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Sturdy boots and gloves
- Safety glasses when cutting liner or using foam
- High-visibility vest near machinery
- Sun protection for long dig days
Safety checklist
| Before you start | Verify |
|---|---|
| Call-before-you-dig | All buried utilities located |
| Trench / hole safety | No vertical walls deeper than waist; bench or slope |
| Electrical | GFCI/RCD on every outdoor circuit |
| Children & pets | Site secured; pond fenced if required by law |
| Machinery | Operator trained; nobody in the dig radius |
Trench collapse
Soil looks solid but a deep, narrow hole can cave in instantly and fatally. Always slope the sides or bench them into shelves — never dig a smooth vertical shaft.
Essential tools checklist
- Spade and fork (for digging and planting)
- Mini digger (for anything over 3,000 litres)
- Long spirit level or water-filled hose (for levelling shelves)
- Sharp knife or scissors (for cutting liner and underlay)
- Garden hose and spray paint (for marking out)
- Tape measure (30 m minimum)
- Gloves (heavy-duty for digging, nitrile for chemicals)
- Knee pads (you will spend hours at ground level)
PPE is not optional
Wear steel-toe boots when using a mini digger. Wear eye protection when cutting liner. Wear gloves when handling bond, sealant, or cement. Wear a dust mask when mixing concrete.