Based in Ross-on-Wye · Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire & South Wales0800 292 2159info@wearebuilt.uk AboutServicesAreas we coverOur WorkReviewsBlogEstimatorContactRequest an estimate Home / Services / Groundworks # Domestic and commercial groundworksin Herefordshire & the Wye Valley. Prepare the ground for your house, extension or commercial building, with excavation, foundations and drainage planned around the site and agreed design. Request an estimate Free survey on properties you own - 25 years Trade experience, three generations of builders - CHAS accredited Independently vetted for health and safety - £10M insured Public and employers' liability - No upfront deposit Invoiced fortnightly for work completed - Warranty included 10 years on new builds, 1 year on other work Overview ## Groundworks: what's involved and who it's for ### What it is Groundworks create the below-ground structure and prepared surfaces a building or outdoor project relies on. Our scope covers site preparation, foundations, drainage and sub-bases for domestic and commercial projects. ### Who it's for Homeowners, developers and businesses planning an extension, new home, steel-frame building or external works. ### When you need it Before construction starts, when installing drainage or when an outdoor surface needs a properly prepared base. ### Why a professional matters The finished building depends on work that will be hidden. Ground conditions, levels and drainage must be understood before concrete or paving covers them. Get it right first time ## What goes wrong when it's done badly An unsuitable foundation or poorly compacted base can affect everything built above it. Excavating without locating services or reviewing the design creates avoidable risks and additional work. ### Risks and rising costs - Settlement beneath buildings or paved areas. - Drainage at unsuitable levels. - Damage to buried services. - Excavation affecting neighbouring structures. ### Common mistakes to avoid - Choosing foundation dimensions without a design. - Covering work before required inspections. - Ignoring the route for surface water. - Leaving plant access out of the programme. Our process ## How your groundworks project runs - Step 1 ### Review the site Discuss drawings, ground conditions, levels and access. - Step 2 ### Design and scope Agree investigations, structural requirements and drainage details. - Step 3 ### Prepare and excavate Plan safe excavation, service identification and material handling. - Step 4 ### Install below-ground work Carry out agreed foundations, drainage and base preparation, allowing for inspections. - Step 5 ### Check and hand over Review levels and completed work before the next construction stage. Why BUILT ## What you get with us - ### Domestic and commercial Ground preparation for homes, extensions and business premises. - ### Design-led foundations Build to the agreed structural specification, not a standard depth. - ### Drainage coordinated Consider pipe routes and ground levels together. - ### Clear scope Agree what is included before excavation begins. - ### No upfront deposit Fortnightly invoicing for agreed completed work. In detail ## Groundworks explained Different sites need different below-ground solutions. We establish the scope from the proposed structure, available information and any further investigation needed. ### Site preparation and excavation Agree the working area, access for machinery and how excavated material will be handled. Existing services, adjacent buildings and retained features influence the excavation sequence. Clearance is scoped around the actual site rather than assumed to include every obstruction. ### House and extension foundations Foundations follow the structural design and ground assessment. Existing foundations, trees, drains and neighbouring structures may affect the solution. Required inspections take place before the work is covered, with the concrete and dimensions matched to the specification. ### Drainage and underground services Drainage routes, pipe falls and connection points need to fit the proposed building and existing network. Surface water and foul water are considered separately. Connection permissions and any design input should be established before installation; groundworks do not automatically include every utility connection. ### Steel-frame building groundworks Commercial frames need foundations and slabs suited to the structural loads and intended use. Bases, holding-down details, finished levels and drainage are coordinated with the frame design. Vehicle access and the needs of an operating business inform the programme. ### Sub-bases for driveways and paved areas Excavation depth, material and compaction depend on the surface and expected loads. A patio and a vehicle driveway need different consideration. Falls, edges and drainage are set before the visible finish is laid. ### Groundworks as a separate contract We undertake domestic and commercial groundworks as an agreed scope, including where another contractor completes the building above. Drawings, inspection responsibilities and the handover point should be clear so the next stage can proceed on the right information. Working with BUILT ## What to expect from start to finish ### A survey before any price Every project starts with a visit. On properties you already own, the site survey is free. If you're still buying, our pre-purchase estimate costs £250 + VAT and is refunded in full on your first invoice if you book the work with us. Either way, you get a clear view of what's involved before committing. ### Paying only for progress We don't ask for an upfront deposit. Instead, work is invoiced fortnightly based on an agreed percentage of completed work per item. You can see exactly what you're paying for on every invoice, and your money stays with you until the work is done. ### One team, one point of contact BUILT has 25 tradespeople on the tools and 4 office staff, working from our own units and offices at Linton Barns, Ross-on-Wye. Keeping trades in-house means fewer handovers, fewer gaps in the programme, and one company accountable for the result. ### Protection once we've finished New build houses carry a 10-year warranty; extensions, conversions and all other work carry a 1-year warranty. We're CHAS accredited and hold £10M combined public and employers' liability insurance throughout the build. ## Our groundworks projects FAQs ## Groundworks questions, answered ### Do you undertake standalone groundworks? Yes. We can agree a domestic or commercial groundworks scope separately from a full building project. Send the site details and available drawings so we can assess it. ### How deep do foundations need to be? Depth and foundation type depend on the structural design and ground conditions. There is no single depth suitable for every house, extension or commercial frame. ### Can drainage be included? Yes. Drainage can form part of the agreed work, with routes, falls, connections and any necessary permissions checked first. ### Do you prepare bases for steel-frame buildings? Yes. Foundation and slab work is coordinated with the structural specification and frame details. ### What affects the cost of groundworks? Ground conditions, excavation, access, disposal, concrete, drainage and the design all affect the price. We estimate the agreed scope rather than publish a universal rate. ### What should I provide before an estimate? The site location, proposed work and any drawings or ground information are useful. We discuss missing investigations or design requirements before the scope is finalised. ### Do I have to pay a deposit before work starts? No. BUILT does not take an upfront deposit. Work is invoiced fortnightly, based on an agreed percentage of completed work per item, so your payments follow real progress on site rather than promises. ### How much does a site survey cost? Site surveys are free on properties you already own. If you haven't bought the property yet, a pre-purchase estimate costs £250 + VAT, and that fee is refunded in full on your first invoice if you book the work with us. ### Are you insured and accredited? Yes. BUILT is CHAS accredited and carries £10M combined public and employers' liability insurance. ### Do you offer an emergency or out-of-hours service? We're a planned-works building contractor, not an emergency call-out service. Our office is open Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm. Call 0800 292 2159 during those hours and we'll tell you honestly whether we're the right fit and how quickly we can visit. ## Related services - New Builds - Commercial Buildings - Landscaping & Driveways - Roofing - Brickwork & Stonework - Plastering & Rendering ## Groundworks near you Based at Linton Barns, Ross-on-Wye, we work across Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and South Wales, including: - Groundworks in Herefordshire - Groundworks in Gloucestershire - Groundworks in Monmouthshire - Groundworks in Worcestershire - Groundworks in Ross-on-Wye ## Building work photographs Browse the relevant types of work in our photo library. Albums show work at different stages, not location-specific case studies. - Groundworks photographsAll project albums ## Related building advice - 5 Stunning Driveway Ideas to Elevate Your Home’s Curb Appeal - Groundwork Company Services You Can Rely on for Residential and Commercial Projects - Professional Builders in Worcester: Quality Building Services for Every HomeAll building advice ## Find out what your project will cost. Free site survey on properties you own. No upfront deposit. CHAS accredited and £10M insured. Request an estimate Call 0800 292 2159 Built Domestic and Commercial Ltd Linton Barns, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 7RR 0800 292 2159 info@wearebuilt.uk Mon–Fri 8:30am–4:30pm Services - Design & Build - New Builds - Extensions - Home Renovations - Whole-Property Renovations & Restoration - Barn Conversions - Garage Conversions - Loft Conversions - Basement Conversions - Kitchens - Bathrooms - Roofing - Groundworks - Brickwork & Stonework - Plastering & Rendering - Carpentry - Landscaping & Driveways - Commercial Buildings - Commercial Fit-Outs & Refurbishments - Commercial LandscapingAccreditation CHAS accredited · £10M public and employers' liability insurance - All building services - Areas we cover - Blog - About BUILT builders - Our building projects - BUILT client reviews - Leave a Google review - Contact us - Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy - Cookie settings - Terms & Conditions 0800 292 2159Get an estimate