Groundworks
Groundworks is the part of a project nobody photographs and everybody pays for twice if it is wrong. We dig, dispose, form and drain — foundations, footings, service trenches, soakaways, retaining structures and site clearance.
Key facts
- Service
- Groundworks
- Area covered
- Somerset, North Somerset & Bristol
- Typical cost
- priced by scope per m² — Indicative only. A written price follows a site survey.
- Typical duration
- Varies by scope
- Expected lifespan
- Design life of the structure above
What groundworks do you carry out?
Excavation and muck-away, strip and trench-fill foundations, footings, service trenches, surface and foul drainage, soakaways, retaining walls, site clearance and levelling. We work for homeowners, builders and commercial clients across Somerset and Bristol.
- Excavation, reduced-level dig and muck-away
- Strip, trench-fill and pad foundations
- Surface water and foul drainage, gullies and soakaways
- Service trenches and ducting
- Retaining structures and edge restraint
- Site clearance, demolition and levelling
How much do groundworks cost?
Groundworks are priced by scope rather than by square metre, typically priced by scope. Excavation volume, spoil disposal, ground conditions and access are the four variables that move the figure most. Indicative only. A written price follows a site survey.
How deep do foundations need to be?
In most Somerset ground, a minimum of 900mm to undisturbed bearing strata, deeper in shrinkable clay or near mature trees. Depth is confirmed on site by building control inspection before concrete is poured — we book and attend that inspection as part of the work.
Do you handle drainage and soakaways?
Yes. We install surface water drainage, channel drains, gullies, and soakaways sized to the contributing area and tested for infiltration where required. Foul connections are made to the existing system or to a new run as the job needs.
What is actually under your driveway
Most of the cost and almost all of the lifespan sits below the surface. Select a layer to see its depth, material and why it matters.
AC6 surface course
20mm
The wearing layer. Fine graded, rolled hot, and the only part anyone ever sees.
Where do you carry out groundworks?
Across Somerset, North Somerset and Bristol, within roughly 40 miles of our base. There is no travel charge and no postcode pricing.
- Weston-super-Mare
- Clevedon
- Portishead
- Nailsea
- Backwell
- Congresbury
- Yatton
- Banwell
- Winscombe
- Cheddar
- Wells
- Burnham-on-Sea
- Bridgwater
- Bristol
- Long Ashton
Other services
Driveways
Domestic driveway construction across Somerset and Bristol — excavation, sub-base, edge restraint and surfacing, built to the depths the ground actually needs.
£40–£120 per m²
Tarmac Driveways
Machine and hand-laid tarmac driveways with a properly compacted Type 1 sub-base, AC20 binder course and AC6 surface course.
£40–£70 per m²
Block Paving
Concrete and clay block paving on a compacted sub-base and sharp sand laying course, with restrained edges and kiln-dried jointing sand.
£60–£100 per m²
Resin Bound Driveways
UV-stable resin bound aggregate over a sound bound base — seamless, permeable and smooth underfoot.
£70–£120 per m²
Commercial Surfacing
Car parks, access roads, yards and playgrounds surfaced with machine-laid tarmac, phased to keep sites operational.
£45–£90 per m²
Frequently asked
Do you provide waste transfer documentation?
Yes. All excavated material leaves site under waste transfer notes to a licensed facility, and copies are supplied with the final invoice.
Can you work on restricted-access sites?
Usually. Micro excavators and conveyor muck-away let us work through gateways and side passages. Access is assessed at survey because it materially changes the price.
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