Groundworks in Maidstone for foundations bases and drainage
Every build depends on what goes into the ground. We handle excavation, foundations, bases and drainage ourselves, so the structure above starts on solid footing.
Free site visit and written quote · All aspects of groundworks
City & Guilds
Qualified bricklayer
NVQ Level 2 & 3
In Brickwork
10-yr / 5-yr
Roofing / paving guarantees
Team of 4
Plus trusted trades
24/7
Emergency roofing
Service overview
Groundworks: what you need to know
What it is
Groundworks is everything that happens below and at ground level before a building or surface goes on top: site preparation, excavation, foundations, concrete slabs and bases, sub-bases for paving and drainage.
Who it is for
Homeowners building extensions, outbuildings, driveways or patios, and commercial clients needing foundations and bases for new structures.
When you need it
At the start of any extension, outbuilding, driveway, patio or structural project, and wherever ground needs levelling or preparing.
Why professional work matters
Problems in the ground cause problems everywhere above. Foundations dug to the wrong depth, slabs poured on poorly prepared ground and missing drainage lead to cracking, sinking and damp. Groundworks are the hardest thing to fix later, so they have to be right now.
The risk of waiting
Why groundworks decide the whole job
Shortcuts below ground are hidden once the build is finished, until they cause damage.
Foundation movement
Shallow or poorly formed foundations move with the ground and crack the structure above.
Sinking slabs and surfaces
Bases laid on soft or uncompacted ground sink and crack.
Water problems
Without drainage planned in, water collects around foundations and under slabs.
Expensive remedial work
Fixing groundworks after a build is finished means taking things apart.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating groundworks as just digging.
- Not checking ground conditions before quoting.
- Ignoring existing drains and services.
- Using different contractors for groundworks and the build.
Our process
How your groundworks job runs
Step 1
Free site visit
We check access, ground conditions and existing drains and services.
Step 2
Written quotation
A clear written quote sets out excavation, foundations and bases.
Step 3
Excavation
Ground is dug out to the required depth and line.
Step 4
Foundations and bases
Foundations, slabs and sub-bases are formed and compacted.
Step 5
Ready for the build
The site is handed over ready for brickwork, paving or the next stage.
What you get
Why homeowners choose Speller
Solid start
The structure above starts on properly prepared ground.
Fewer surprises
Ground conditions and drains are checked before the build.
One team
Groundworks and the build are done by the same contractor.
Drainage planned in
Water is dealt with at ground level, not later.
Clear payments
Larger projects use a one-third deposit, then 3 to 4 stage payments.
Free written quote
Know what is involved before work starts.
In detail
Groundworks services in detail
We carry out all aspects of groundworks across Maidstone, Kent, London and the South East.
Related services
Foundations for extensions
Strip and trench foundations for extensions and outbuildings, dug to suit the ground conditions.
Concrete slabs and bases
Bases for garden rooms, garages and outbuildings, laid on compacted sub-base with suitable membranes.
Sub-bases for paving
Excavation and compacted sub-base for driveways and patios. This is what stops paving sinking.
Levelling and site preparation
Reducing levels, forming terraces and preparing ground for landscaping and building.
Residential and commercial
We carry out groundworks for homes and commercial projects, planning access and machinery to suit the site.
Groundworks across Maidstone and Kent
We are based in Maidstone and carry out groundworks for homeowners and businesses across the towns and villages below, as well as wider Kent, London and the South East. Wherever you are, the process is the same: a free site visit, a written quote and the work led by Michael on site.
Guide
Groundworks explained
Why ground conditions matter
Kent has a mix of clay, chalk, sand and made ground. Clay in particular shrinks and swells with moisture and with nearby trees, which affects how deep foundations need to go. We check ground conditions before committing to a foundation design.
Existing drains and services
Old drain runs, water pipes and cables often run where new foundations need to go. Finding and dealing with them early avoids delays and damage once excavation starts.
Access and spoil
Excavation produces a lot of soil. We plan access for machinery and how spoil will be handled at the site visit, so you know what to expect on the day.
One team from ground up
Because we carry out the groundworks and the building above, the stages can be coordinated with one contractor. The groundworks need to suit the agreed design for the structure above.
Groundworks and the rest of your project
Groundworks set the timetable for everything that follows. When foundations, drains and bases are done properly and on time, brickwork, roofing and paving can follow straight on. Because our team moves from groundworks to building without handing over to another firm, the stages can be planned with one building contractor. Availability and the sequence need agreeing for the individual project.
Groundworks for commercial projects
Commercial groundworks often involve larger slabs, heavier loads and more traffic around the site. We plan machinery access, deliveries and safe routes for staff and visitors before excavation starts, and agree working hours where the building stays in use. The aim is the same as on a domestic job: a sound base built once, in the right order, so the structure above performs as it should.
Why we check before we quote
Groundworks are where unexpected costs usually hide: soft ground, old foundations, buried rubble, tree roots or unrecorded drains. Looking at access, ground conditions and existing services at the free site visit lets us give a written quote that reflects the real job, and discuss how further investigation or changes to the scope might affect the proposed work.
Foundation types
Strip foundations are a continuous concrete strip under walls and suit most extensions on firm ground. Trench fill foundations fill the trench with concrete to near ground level and are quicker where ground conditions are suitable. Deeper foundations may be needed near trees or on clay. The right type depends on what is found when digging, which is why we inspect ground conditions before committing.
Slabs and ground-bearing floors
A concrete floor slab sits on a compacted hardcore base with a membrane to stop moisture rising. Insulation is often included for habitable rooms. A properly compacted base is essential: slabs poured on loose fill crack and settle.
Groundworks for paving and landscaping
Driveways, patios and garden structures all depend on groundworks. Excavation to the right depth, removal of soft ground and a compacted sub-base are what stop surfaces sinking. Because we do the groundworks and the paving, the base is built for the surface going on top.
Protecting your property during excavation
We plan where machinery will run, where spoil will be stored and how lawns, paths and boundaries will be protected. Any temporary disruption is explained before work starts.
How quoting and payment work
Every groundworks enquiry starts with a free, no-obligation site visit and a written quotation, so you can see exactly what is included before deciding. On larger projects we take a one-third deposit to secure materials, and the balance is split across 3 to 4 stage payments agreed before work starts.
Who will be on site
Work is led by Michael Speller, a City & Guilds qualified bricklayer with NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 in Brickwork, with a core team of four. Where your project needs electrical or plumbing work, we bring in trusted subcontracted trades and coordinate them, so you deal with one contractor throughout. We hold public liability insurance.
Questions
Groundworks FAQs
How much do groundworks cost?
It depends on the scope, depth and ground conditions. Book a free site visit for a written quote.
How long do groundworks take?
That depends on the project. Your written quote will include a timescale.
Do you do groundworks for extensions?
Yes. Foundations and drainage for extensions are a core part of our work.
Can you lay a base for a garden room?
Yes, we lay concrete bases and slabs for outbuildings.
How do payments work?
Larger projects use a one-third deposit, then 3 to 4 agreed stage payments.
Are you insured?
Yes, we hold public liability insurance.
Is the work guaranteed?
Our published guarantees are 10 years on roofing and 5 years on paving. Ask Michael about terms for groundworks at your site visit.
Do you work across Kent?
Yes. We cover Maidstone, Bearsted, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Chatham, Headcorn, wider Kent, London and the South East.
Start your project on solid ground
Book a free site visit and receive a written groundworks quote.
City & Guilds qualified · Free written quote · No obligation