Turning a paved 'garden' into nice lawn with borders

[Dogsovercats]

Is it possible?

Currently bidding on a house which is perfect for us apart from the garden which is completely paved over and on three levels. This is a massive compromise for me and I'm telling myself I can turn it into a lovely cottage garden, but it's hard to imagine anything being able to grow after all that concrete/paving has been there!

So is it possible and any tips from previous experience? It's not huge, think Victorian end terrace so probably 4m x 10m ish

Thank you!

I'm sure it would be. It would probably cost a bit to remove all the paving and buy lots of topsoil but it must be doable. What are the neighbouring gardens like?
Could you use the rubble to fill in a level and save paying for removal?
I'm no expert but hopefully somebody more knowledgeable will be along soon to advise.

Good point - All the neighbouring gardens are grass and shrubs so hopefully that means there is something decent underneath :)

My front garden was completely paved when I moved in. I’ve systematically removed blocks of pavers bit by bit, improved the soil with compost/ top soil and planted lots of shrubs and perennials. It’s looking quite good now. If it’s easy to lift the pavers you don’t need to do it all at once. There’s a bit of a pavers pathway in some bits with block beds in others.
We have to move house now so I’ve ignored the back garden pavers to an extent but I would have done the same there too.

Pots!! Lots and lots of pots!!

@Finfintytint that's encouraging. How did you get rid of the pavers that you pulled up?

I'm quite strong and not afraid of a bit of hard work so thinking I could pull it up bit by bit myself as well

Just be aware you might find the pavers are hiding a lot.....

I cleared a garden like you describe. Was concreted over under the pavers. Was pre-dc, so was able to jack-hammer the lot in one day. Then we hired a skip and bought beer and pizza for a pile of friends who helped us fill the skip. Really tough physically.

In this house, the concrete hid asbestos roof tiles from at least four garages (apparently). One of the previous owners must have been a builder.

Then dug over all the soil (trenches across the garden, down about 1 foot), levelled it and turfed it.

End product was lovely (in first house - not finished here). But it was a lot of work....