What We Estimate
We cover every element of the groundworks package — from initial site clearance through to the completed ground floor slab and external works. Every estimate is fully itemised by trade element.
Strip topsoil, remove existing structures, clear vegetation, and prepare the site for construction. Includes disposal of arisings and temporary fencing.
Bulk excavation, reduced level dig, and cut-and-fill operations. We estimate plant, labour, and disposal costs using live fuel and haulage rates.
All foundation types from simple strip footings to complex piled solutions. Includes concrete, reinforcement, and formwork.
Foul water, surface water, and combined drainage systems. Includes manholes, inspection chambers, soakaways, and connections to existing sewers.
Incoming service ducts and connections for water, gas, electricity, and telecoms. Includes trenching, ducting, and reinstatement.
Concrete ground floor slabs, beam-and-block floors, and insulated raft systems. Includes blinding, DPM, insulation, and reinforcement.
Car parks, access roads, paths, and hardstanding areas. Includes sub-base, surfacing, kerbs, and drainage.
Retaining walls, sheet piling, and ground anchors for sites with significant level changes or basement construction.
| Element | Unit | Standard | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site Clearance & Topsoil Strip | per m² | £4–£9 | £8–£14 |
| Bulk Excavation (machine) | per m³ | £18–£28 | £25–£40 |
| Strip Foundations (concrete) | per linear m | £120–£180 | £160–£240 |
| Trench Fill Foundations | per linear m | £90–£140 | £130–£200 |
| Raft Foundation (reinforced) | per m² | £120–£180 | £160–£240 |
| CFA Piled Foundation (per pile) | per pile | £800–£1,400 | £1,200–£2,200 |
| Underground Drainage (PVC) | per linear m | £55–£90 | £80–£130 |
| Manhole / Inspection Chamber | each | £600–£1,100 | £900–£1,600 |
| Soakaway (crate system) | each | £800–£1,500 | £1,200–£2,200 |
| Concrete Ground Floor Slab (150mm) | per m² | £65–£95 | £85–£130 |
| Beam & Block Floor | per m² | £55–£85 | £75–£115 |
| Tarmac Car Park / Access Road | per m² | £35–£55 | £50–£80 |
| Block Paving (driveway) | per m² | £55–£85 | £80–£130 |
| Concrete Retaining Wall (1.5m high) | per linear m | £350–£550 | £500–£800 |
Important: These are indicative ranges only. Actual groundworks costs depend heavily on ground conditions, site access, contamination, groundwater levels, and programme. Always commission a site investigation before finalising your groundworks budget. We recommend a 15–20% contingency on all groundworks packages.
Typical 4m × 6m rear extension
Excavation, strip foundations, drainage connection, ground floor slab
150m² footprint
Site clearance, foundations, drainage, services, ground floor slab, external works
Up to 500m² GIA
Full groundworks package including piling, drainage, slab, and car park
10 × 3-bed houses
Site-wide drainage, roads, foundations, slabs, and external works
Send us your drawings and we'll produce a fully itemised estimate within 24 hours.
Share your site plans, architectural drawings, or even a rough sketch. We also accept engineer's drawings, drainage layouts, and site investigation reports. The more detail you provide, the more accurate your estimate.
Our groundworks estimators review your documents and contact you if any clarification is needed — ground conditions, specification level, programme constraints, or access restrictions. We'd rather ask than assume.
We produce a detailed, itemised groundworks estimate broken down by element — excavation, foundations, drainage, slab, external works. Every line includes quantities, rates, and totals. Delivered within 24 hours.
We walk you through the estimate and answer any questions. If you need to value-engineer the scheme or explore alternative foundation solutions, we can produce revised estimates quickly.
We've been the go-to groundworks estimating partner for contractors and developers across the UK for over 38 years.
We've estimated groundworks packages on everything from domestic extensions to major infrastructure projects. We know where the risks are and how to price them.
Our groundworks rates are updated quarterly using real project data from across the UK. We track fuel costs, plant hire rates, and disposal charges — all of which move frequently.
We clearly flag provisional sums and risk items in every estimate — contamination, groundwater, tree roots, unmapped services. You know exactly what's certain and what isn't.
Most groundworks estimates are delivered within 24 hours of receiving your drawings. For large or complex packages, we agree a turnaround time upfront.
Estimates are delivered in both Excel (for easy editing and comparison) and PDF (for client or lender submission). All formats are clearly structured and professionally presented.
We cover the whole of the UK with region-specific cost data. London and South East rates are priced separately from Midlands and Northern rates — no national averages that miss the mark.
Groundworks costs are the most unpredictable element of any construction project. Unlike brickwork or carpentry, what lies beneath the surface can't always be known from drawings alone. A ground investigation report — also called a geo-technical survey — identifies soil types, bearing capacity, groundwater levels, and contamination before you commit to a foundation design.
The cost of a ground investigation (typically £1,500–£5,000) is tiny compared to the potential cost of redesigning foundations mid-construction. We always recommend commissioning one before finalising your groundworks budget.
Common Questions
Everything you need to know about groundworks costs, estimates, and the factors that affect your budget.
Send us your drawings and we'll produce a fully itemised groundworks estimate within 24 hours. No obligation, no guesswork — just accurate costs you can build a budget around.
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