UK Groundworks Response provides emergency foundation excavation, drainage repairs, and site preparation when deadlines are tight. We dig to Building Regs Part A depths, install land drains, compact hardcore—ready for concrete pour in 2-3 days.
Site Tuesday. Excavate Wednesday. Drains & hardcore Thursday. Concrete-ready Friday.
NHBC-approved groundworkers with CPCS excavator tickets. Foundation depths to BS 8103-1 (900mm-1200mm depending on clay/frost). Soakaway design to Building Regs Part H. Laser level accuracy ±10mm. GPS machine control available.
The foundation work that holds everything else up
Extension approved, bricklayers booked, but foundations not dug. We excavate to Part A specs: 900mm minimum depth (1000mm+ in clay), 150mm below frost line, 600mm strip width for cavity wall. Use CAT scanner to locate buried services first. Laser level checks ensure level base ±10mm tolerance. Remove topsoil, dig trenches, cart away spoil (8-10 tonnes per extension). Takes 1-2 days depending on ground conditions. Cost: £80-120/linear meter including excavation and spoil removal.
Garden waterlogged, building work delayed because trenches keep filling. We install perforated land drains (100mm-150mm), French drains with geotextile membrane, soakaways sized to Part H (5m³ minimum for typical house). Soakaway calculation: 1m³ per 25m² roof area. Dig soakaway pit (2m x 2m x 2m typical), fill with clean hardcore, wrap in membrane, backfill with gravel. Connect to downpipes via 110mm pipe. Takes 2-3 days. Cost: £800-1500 per soakaway including excavation and materials.
Before floor slab goes down, you need level compacted base. We dig out soft topsoil (usually 200-300mm), install Type 1 MOT hardcore (crushed limestone, self-binds when compacted), compact in 100mm layers with wacker plate or roller. Minimum 150mm hardcore thickness under slabs. Laser level to exact formation level. Lay 1200-gauge DPM (damp-proof membrane), lap joints 150mm, tape seams, turn up at edges to meet DPC. Ready for concrete or beam-and-block floor. Takes 2-3 days for typical extension. Cost: £40-60/m² including excavation, hardcore, compaction, and DPM.
Need trenches dug for water mains, drainage, electrics before driveway goes down. Building Regs minimum depths: water supply 750mm (below frost), foul drainage 450mm fall (1:40 gradient for 110mm pipe), electric ducts 600mm. We dig, lay ducts/pipes, backfill with sand surround (100mm all around pipe for protection), then refill trench. Mark route with warning tape 300mm above pipes. Takes 1-2 days per 20-30m trench. Cost: £60-100/linear meter depending on depth and ground conditions.
CCTV survey found collapsed drain section, sewage backing up, need emergency fix. We excavate down to damaged pipe (typically 1-2m deep), expose collapsed section, cut out damaged pipe, install new 110mm or 160mm pipe with couplings, test with water (should hold without leaking), backfill trench with compacted sand/gravel. Building Control notified if foul drain under Building Regs Part H. Takes 1-2 days per collapsed section. Emergency surcharge applies. Cost: £500-1500 depending on depth and access.
Site has 600mm slope, need level platform for extension/garage. We calculate cut-and-fill volumes, excavate high areas, move soil to low areas, compact in layers, laser level to exact height. Retaining walls may be needed if level difference >600mm (Building Control approval required). Spoil removal if excess—10-15 tonnes typical for 50m² platform. Use 360° excavator with GPS for accuracy. Takes 3-5 days depending on area and slope. Cost: £40-70/m³ excavated, £15-25/tonne for spoil removal off-site.
Building Control won't pass shallow foundations
CPCS-certified groundworkers across the UK
Foundations, drainage, excavation—fast response