Hi everyone! I’m in the process of buying a property and looking for some advice on a potential garden project. Currently, the garden wall is quite close to the back door, and we thinking about excavating it back about 2–3 metres or in line with the steps at the end of the garden. The goal is to open up the space and create an entertainment area with a tiered wall for integrated seating and to include low rise easy climb steps to the garden Has anyone done something similar? I’d love to know and see a few photos:

1. Budget: Is this something that can be done affordably with a digger or any other advice would be welcome. Does the cost of soil removal and new walling spiral quickly? I'm assuming we will need to build a retaining wall.
2. Implications: Are there any structural or drainage issues I should be worried about when cutting back into the garden?
3. Muck-Away - Does anyone have experience with muck-away services or skip hire prices.