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Craig got in touch quickly, gave me a rough estimate over the phone and answered all my questions. Surveyor arrived on time, gave instant quote. Price was good. Michael and (another) Craig turned up to do the job on the day, time given. Good, tidy job. Can't fault anything, from start to finish!! Would recommend!
Mary
George and his team are experienced builders, replaced my front door with a custom frame/sidelights and raising the floor level in the hallway quite quickly - in fact, they were the only who came next day, gave a quote straightaway and were ready to start in just couple of days. They also had all the necessary tools and materials, were ready to buy something additional quickly on the day - if further adjustments were required to fit everything as I asked. Thanks a lot for your help, guys!
Dmitry
Highly recommend. These guys did a fantastic job of constructing our pergola and decking. Very hardworking and reliable. The job was completed in the time frame agreed and to a very high standard. We would 100% use them again.
Holly
At Rated People, we connect homeowners with trusted local groundworking experts. With over 10,000 tradespeople on our platform and over 3 million happy customers, you can rely on us to find the right professional for your groundwork needs. Check previous reviews to see the quality of work our tradespeople deliver. If you need more information before getting started, read through our helpful guide below. If you are a groundworking or foundation laying expert, click on the link below to sign up with Rated People.
- What is groundwork?
- Cost of groundwork/foundation laying
- How do I know if the job has been done well?
- Other groundworking FAQs
- Sign up as a groundworking expert
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Take a look at our Groundwork / Foundations specialists profiles, read reviews and request quotes directly.
Local Groundworking experts
What is groundwork?
Groundwork refers to the essential preparatory work required to create a stable foundation for construction projects. This includes tasks such as site clearance, excavation, laying foundations, and installing drainage systems. Groundworkers ensure that the site is properly prepared, providing a solid base for buildings, driveways, and other structures. Their expertise is crucial for the long-term stability and safety of any construction project.
Cost of groundwork/foundation laying
The cost of groundwork and foundation laying can vary widely based on several factors, including the size and complexity of the project, soil conditions, and the type of foundation required. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you understand what to expect when budgeting for your groundwork project.
Factors Influencing the Cost
- Project Size and Scope: Larger projects will naturally incur higher costs due to the increased amount of materials and labour required. The scope of the work, including the number of tasks such as site clearance, excavation, and foundation laying, also impacts the total cost.
- Soil Conditions: The type and condition of the soil at your site play a significant role in determining costs. Difficult soil conditions, such as rocky or clay-heavy soils, can make excavation more challenging and time-consuming, increasing labour costs.
- Type of Foundation: The type of foundation required for your project will affect the overall cost. Common types include:
- Strip Foundations: Suitable for lighter structures, typically costing between £75 to £120 per metre.
- Trench Fill Foundations: Often used for larger structures, costing around £100 to £150 per metre.
- Raft Foundations: Used in areas with poor soil conditions, generally costing between £150 to £250 per square metre.
- Piled Foundations: Necessary for very unstable soil conditions, costing significantly more due to the specialised equipment required.
- Depth of Excavation: Deeper excavations may be required for certain types of foundations or in areas with specific soil conditions. Deeper excavations increase labour and equipment costs.
- Access to the Site: Sites that are difficult to access may incur additional costs due to the need for specialised equipment or additional labour to transport materials and machinery.
- Additional Services: Additional groundwork services such as drainage installation, landscaping, or retaining walls will add to the overall cost. Proper drainage is particularly important to prevent water-related issues that could compromise the foundation.
Average Cost Estimates
While prices can vary, here are some general estimates to help you plan your budget:
- Site Clearance and Preparation: £5 to £15 per square metre.
- Excavation: £50 to £80 per cubic metre, depending on soil conditions and depth required.
- Strip Foundations: £75 to £120 per metre.
- Trench Fill Foundations: £100 to £150 per metre.
- Raft Foundations: £150 to £250 per square metre.
- Piled Foundations: £250 to £400 per metre, depending on depth and complexity.
How do I know if the job has been done well?
- Finished in a Timely Manner: The project should be completed within the agreed time frame without unnecessary delays.
- All Drainage Properly Installed: Proper drainage installation is crucial to prevent waterlogging and ensure the longevity of the foundation.
- Flat Surface to Begin Work On: The groundwork should result in a level and stable surface, ready for the next phase of construction.
At Rated People, our tradespeople are reviewed by previous customers, so you can see if they have done a good job before hiring them. Additionally, read through our guide on our local builders page to find out what kinds of questions you should be asking beforehand.
Other groundworking FAQs
How long do groundworks take?
The duration of groundwork projects can vary based on the size and complexity of the job. On average, groundwork for a standard residential project can take between 1 to 3 weeks. Larger or more complex projects may take longer.
Is a groundworker a builder?
Groundworkers specialise in preparing the site for construction, which includes tasks like excavation, foundation laying, and drainage installation. While they play a critical role in the building process, they are not typically involved in the actual construction of the building.
Do I need planning permission for groundwork?
In many cases, groundwork can be carried out without planning permission, especially for minor projects. However, larger projects or those involving significant changes to the landscape may require planning permission. It’s important to check with your local council to ensure compliance with regulations.
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A professional qualified insured family run business who puts their customers first
Friendly, professional, knowledgable, good job done
My name it’s Cris. I am a person with many qualities in handyman.What a handyman means? A handyman, also known as a handyperson or handyworker, is a person skilled at a wide range of repairs, typically around the home. These tasks include trade skills, repair work, maintenance work, are both interior and exterior, and are sometimes described as "side work", "odd jobs" or "fix-up tasks". For me a handyman means the person who helps the people who are in need or not having the necessary training for that thing and at the same time the one who later gives a smile to the people's face. For this, please contact me in any need you have
Christian and his team were friendly, courteous, and did a great job at the quoted price with no surprises.
(Covid 19) we adhere to regulations in place regarding sanitising and distance keeping / masks we are working fully during these times//We are correct window and door repairs ltd specializing in all double glazing installations and repairs,.WE ARE PROFESSIONAL, EFFICIENT AND VERY RELIABLE. (AS YOU CAN SEE FROM OUR MANY RECOMMENDATIONS) our teams repair all glazing from misted units , hinges ,handles locks for window and doors too.we offer a service second to none from the moment the call is taken to the works being completed our team offer a stress free service.
Excellent professional and efficient work from the team. Great communication.
We have 45 years experience between us in the construction industry and 25 years experience in all types of roofing including rubber, fibreglass, slate and tiled roofing. Chimney removals, facias soffits and water goods. & fitting vellux windows. We also have 25 years experience in groundworks., landscaping, operating plant. bricklaying, rendering. we specialise in new builds, extensions, renovations, loft & garage conversions & damproofing. We have a lot of experience in sourcing properties to renovate for resale and rental. We cover all aspects of home improvements.
Excellent service. Got the job done well and very professional.
Dear Customers IE-DESIGN with years of experience offers interior and exterior work such as painting and decorating.We also undertake and manage landscaping and gardening services of any kind. Additionally our experience leads to the unique 3D projects if required. We can promise a competitive price and perfect finish as Customer satisfaction is at the heart of everything we do.
Hi I'm Charlie from boss roofing.boss roofing is a family run business and is a full service company meeting the roofing needs of commercial, industrial and multi-residential customers. We are proud to be able to offer services ranging from re-roofing to 24 hour emergency repair service. We are fully Insured.
Very good job, extremely prompt and a good price.
Hi, I am Stefan, and I have three decades of experience as joiner, specialising in wood flooring and tiling, doors, wardrobes, decking, bathroom fitting and refurbishment.
BZ GARDENS was established in 2010 and has quickly grown to become a well-established and well-regarded business, working at the top end of our industry. Our business model is built on constantly challenging ourselves to conceive, create and care for unique gardens and open spaces for residential, commercial and public clients across London, Greater London, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex.
From providing estimates to signing contracts, we have been very impressed with BZ Gardens. Thank you.
Family run business with over 20years experience, covering most areas. Our work speeks for its self, plenty off customer feed back, reviews, etc etc. All your maintenance needs under one company. Reliable service / at competitive prices. One call sorts it all. Work description inc.... •Exterior /interior painting. •Wall coatings. •garden fencing, built / repaired .Decking •pointing •Exterior walls rendered. •All roofline work / flat roof maintenance. • weather proof coatings. •powerwashing services. •Guttering repairs/renew. •Garden maintenance. Where customers satisfaction is our aim. Always at hand for any advice or help.
Amazing job! Very friendly and professional! Was always kept up to do what with what being done etc! Definitely recommend! Thank you both so much!
CAN Construction ! ALL aspects of R.S.J. Work. Fabrication.Alterations,Steel and lintels. Knock through specialists. . FULLY INSURED. We won't let you down.
Family run business, with thirty years experience in the industry. We are a friendly and reliable service.
A good job, expertly carried out, but not quite up to our expectations with clearing the debris. It took us two days to get the garden back to normal. The second phase of the order is yet to be done and I’m sure that they will satisfy our requirements.
At O.B.Build we want to make your home look amazing inside or outside.We take pride in our work and can handle any job or task.We are clean tidy, polite and always deliver a quality finish.
Brilliant refurb of 2 bedroom flat, timelines were tight but John delivered to great standards on time! Job included damp control, relaying floors, and painting/redecorating. Would highly recommend. Thank you John!
No job is too small By choosing our company you choose professional service and fast realization time. We are local Edinburgh based with over 10 years of experience. We love what we do and we are proud of providing excellent service. Our clients are number 1 in customer satisfaction. We always ensure high quality finish which meets your requirements.
I hired Dream Renovations (Patryk) to fit vinyl plank flooring in my shower room. Great job: quick and tidy. Following that I hired him to repair a collapsed ceiling. He turned up when he said he would, and did a great job: plasterboard, plastered, and painted. If I need any work carried out in the future, Patryk will be the first person I will contact, and I am happy to recommend him to anyone who needs work done in their home.
Hollywood joinery is a friendly company that specialises in cabinets an fitted wardrobes an all other joinery have been in the building trade for over twenty years an have experience in many other aspects of the building trade
Perfect job. Quickly done, great communications, reasonable price. Highly recommend.
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www.cgtbuild.com We are c g t building services We are a highly skilled, family run business with over 30 years experience in the building and landscaping sector. We pride ourselves in giving 100% customer satisfaction and can guarantee competitive prices against leading organisations, and have a solid team of dedicated and experienced tradesmen, producing quality, skilled craftsmanship, and delivering projects both on time and to budget. Our combined skills mean we can offer a full range of building services from fencing and decking, to extensions and refurbs. as well as having a fully licenced fleet of waste removal vans, offering a fast, and reliable waste clearance service at very competetive prices. so whether youre looking to extend, restore, or refurb, or are in need of a new kitchen fitted, or youre looking to clear out your garage or landscape your garden. Theres only the one team you need. The C G Team
The team did a great job helping us get new kitchen doors, panels and plinths in. They also helped to get us ready for our new worktops to be measured up and our applicances reinstalled once the new worktop was fitted. They were really helpful and worked around the changing delivery dates from our suppliers
Carry out clearance of drains , cctv surveys , patch repairs , no dig technology , all leaks on cold and hot water supply's new installs showers , baths , taps , toilets , siphons , and inlet valves , ball cocks , free quotes
Only reason it isn't a 5star is because it took a while to get it booked in however Brad is incredibly professional courteous and did a grate job went above and beyond to try and help us will use again in the future without a doubt.
Thomas and forrest maintenance and property services Ltd provides all types of maintenance from Bathrooms, Kitchens, Gardening, Plumbing and more we are a one stop shop to all your property and building needs...
Came to measure up, but never got back to me with a quote or answered my follow up text to see if he was still interested in the job.
Operating in the Wirral, Merseyside for over 19 years we take great pride in the standard of work. All work undertaken is guaranteed for a minimum of 12 months. From a dripping tap to complete bathroom or en-suite.
I can't rate Danny highly enough. Great worker who went over and above renovating my bathroom and always left everywhere tidy before leaving each day. I am so pleased with the job he has done
we are a family run company with over 27 years experience, good workmanship and customer satisfaction is our main priority. we are only as good as our last job hence why we rely on recommendations from our customers. We supply full written quotation; photos
KL joinery services offering all types of joinery work
We were looking to change 7 internal doors and Kieran was first to reply , he came to see then he sent us the price for doors to buy and deliver and fully installed , when we accepted he came out on time and finished the job in one day and we are very happy with the work , thank you again Kieran .
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