Groundwork & Drainage in Chelmsford and Essex

Typical groundwork includes excavating footings and foundations, digging drainage and service trenches, preparing bases for driveways, patios, sheds and garden rooms, levelling and grading gardens, and digging out for features such as in-ground trampolines. Tell us about your project and we will confirm what we can do.

It depends on the project. Foundations for extensions and many structural works need Building Regulations approval, and in England a new or replacement driveway in a front garden over 5 square metres usually needs planning permission unless it uses permeable surfacing or drains to a permeable area. Check with your local council or designer before work starts.

The location of underground services such as gas, water, electricity and telecoms should be identified before any excavation. Please share any plans or information you have, and we will agree a safe method of work with you before we start.

Often, yes. Waterlogging is usually solved with land drainage or surface water drainage — perforated land drain or twin-wall pipe laid to a fall in a stone-backfilled trench, taking water to a soakaway, ditch or other suitable outfall. Send us photos and tell us where the water sits and we will suggest an approach.

Surface and land drainage water is usually taken to a soakaway, a ditch or watercourse, or an existing surface water drain, depending on the site and the ground. Discharges to a watercourse or connections to a public sewer may need permission, so we will discuss the options for your site.

Yes. We build farm and field access tracks, yards and hardstanding areas by stripping the soft ground, laying a geotextile membrane and spreading and compacting crushed hardcore. Tell us the length, width and what will use the track and we will quote accordingly.

Yes. We dig drainage and service trenches, lay pipework and ducting, backfill with gravel or shingle, and excavate for underground tanks and inspection chambers. Work that connects to a public sewer, or involves a treatment system or discharge, may need approval from the sewerage company, the council (Building Regulations) or the Environment Agency — check what applies to your project before work starts.

In England, discharges from a small sewage treatment plant must meet the Environment Agency’s general binding rules, or the owner needs an environmental permit. New or replacement installations normally need Building Regulations approval, and the plant should be maintained and emptied in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. This is general guidance only — check the latest requirements on GOV.UK for your property.

Yes. We carry out the groundwork for sewage treatment plant installation in Chelmsford and Essex, including excavation, base preparation, setting the plant, inspection chambers and drainage pipework. Send us details of the property and the plant you are considering for a quote.

Yes. We excavate to expose leaking underground water supply pipes so the leak can be found and repaired, and reinstate the ground afterwards. If you are not sure whether the leak is on your side of the boundary, check with your water company first — they are usually responsible for the pipe up to the boundary or meter.

Let us know when you ask for a quote whether you want spoil kept on site (for example to re-level another area) or taken away, and we will explain the options for your job.

Often, yes. Mini diggers can work in many residential gardens. Tell us the narrowest point of the access route and send photos so we can confirm what will fit.

Yes. We recently dug out for a sunken trampoline in an Essex garden — see the photos on this page. Send us the trampoline size and photos of the area for a quote.