Extension groundwork in Exeter
Professional extension groundwork services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
Quote needed
Typical Duration
3-10 days
Location
Exeter, Devon
Extension groundwork and site preparation. I'll clear, mark out, excavate, and prep your site so it's ready for the extension build to start.
Before The Bricks Go Down
There's a lot of hard graft between "We've got planning permission!" and "Brick layer arrives to build walls."
Someone needs to clear the site, dig foundation trenches to exact spec, sort drainage, lay hardcore, and get everything ready for building inspector to sign off. That's groundwork.
💡 Pro tip: Groundwork is where DIY projects often go wrong. Incorrect foundation depths or drainage routing can fail building control and cost thousands to fix. Better to get it done properly first time.
What Groundwork Actually Involves
| Stage | What Happens | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Site clearance | Remove sheds, plants, old paving | Need clear workspace |
| Setting out | Mark exact position from plans | Building in wrong place = disaster |
| Foundation dig | Excavate to building control spec | Depth/width must be correct |
| Drainage | Foul and surface water connections | Building regs requirement |
| Services | Relocate/protect water, gas, electric | Don't dig through your own supply |
| Hardcore | Crushed stone base layer | DPM needs solid base |
| Access | Create access for materials | Bricks need to get to site somehow |
Get any of this wrong and building control won't sign it off. Then you're digging it all up again.
Scope Of Work
🔧 What I Can Handle
✅ Small-medium extensions - single/two story domestic
✅ Site clearance - demolition of outbuildings, hard standings
✅ Foundation excavation - to architect/engineer specs
✅ Basic drainage - connections to existing systems
✅ Hardcore and compaction - ready for concrete/DPM
❌ Major structural engineering - complex underpinning
❌ Large commercial - need bigger contractor
❌ Piling - specialist equipment needed
For anything beyond standard domestic extension groundwork, I'll refer you to appropriate specialists.
Realistic Costs (Very Rough - Site Visit Essential)
This is impossible to price without seeing site and plans, but ballpark:
| Extension Size | Groundwork Time | Likely Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Small (3x4m) single story | 3-5 days | £1500-£2500 |
| Medium (5x6m) single story | 5-8 days | £2500-£4000 |
| Large/two story (6x8m+) | 8-12+ days | £4000-£7000+ |
Includes labor, machine hire, muck away. Doesn't include concrete for foundations (usually builder supplies), or unexpected issues like rock/services/contamination.
Variables that massively affect cost:
- Ground conditions (clay, rock, waterlogged)
- Access (can digger get to site?)
- Services to relocate
- Amount of existing hard standing to remove
- Drainage complexity
- Disposal of excavated material
Why This Job Needs Proper Quoting
I can't quote this over the phone. Need to:
- See the site - what ground, access, levels
- See the plans - foundation spec, drainage requirements
- Check for services - what's buried that we need to avoid/move
- Assess access - can a digger get there, muck away route
Why Choose Us for Extension groundwork in Exeter?
Site cleared and leveled ready
Foundation trenches dug properly
Drainage and services sorted
Ready for builders to start
What to Expect
Step 1: Site Visit and Quote
Come and look at your site and extension plans. Assess ground, access, services, drainage routing. Provide detailed quote for the groundwork scope. Discuss timeline and any potential issues.
Step 2: Groundwork Execution
Clear site. Mark out exact position using architect's measurements. Excavate foundations to spec (building control will inspect this). Install drainage connections. Lay and compact hardcore. Create access for materials delivery.
Step 3: Building Control
Coordinate with your building inspector for foundation inspection before concrete. Make sure everything meets building regs. Hand over to your builder with all groundwork signed off and ready.
🔧 DIY Tips
Groundwork IS possible DIY if you're very practical and fit, but:
⚠️ This is hard work
- Foundation trenches are deep and wide
- Clay soil is heavy
- You'll move tons of earth
- Needs hiring a mini digger (and knowing how to use it)
- Disposal of excavated material costs money
📋 What you need
- Mini digger hire (£100-150/day)
- Skip or muck away (£200-400)
- Level and measuring tools
- Hardcore and compacting plate
- Building control approval of depths
🔧 DIY-able elements
- Site clearance (sheds, plants) - just labor
- Simple ground leveling
- Hardcore laying (heavy work)
❌ Get professional help for
- Foundation depth calculations
- Drainage connections and falls
- Working near existing buildings
- Complex or deep excavations
💡 Hybrid approach: Some people clear site themselves (save money), then get professional for excavations and drainage (needs signing off).
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🏗️ Building control: Foundation trenches MUST be inspected before concrete goes in. Don't fill them until inspector has signed off. If you do, you'll be digging them out again.
Machine access: Mini diggers are about 1m wide. Need to get from street to back garden. If there's no side access and garden is behind house, we either dig by hand (expensive) or go through the house (messy but sometimes necessary).
Muck away: Excavated soil needs disposing. Sometimes you can use it to level another part of garden. Often it needs skipping or muck away service. Clay soil is usually classed as inert waste (cheaper than general waste).
Services: Before ANY digging, get utility search done. Hitting a gas main or electric cable is dangerous and expensive. I can arrange searches or you can do it yourself through utility companies.
Exeter ground: Our Devon clay is lovely until you try digging it. Heavy, sticky, doesn't drain. Extensions often need deeper foundations than elsewhere because clay moves with moisture. Your structural engineer specs the depth.
Weather: Groundwork stops in heavy rain - trenches fill with water and ground becomes unworkable. Allow flexibility in timeline for weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is groundwork for an extension?
Everything that happens before bricklayers start. Site clearance, marking out, excavating foundations, installing drainage, laying hardcore, setting up access. Gets the site from 'garden' to 'ready to build on'.
Do I need to arrange this separately from my builder?
Most builders include groundwork or have groundworkers they use. But if you're managing your own build, or your builder doesn't do groundwork, or you want to save money by doing prep work separately, then yes. I'll work to your architect's plans.
How long does extension groundwork take?
Depends entirely on size. Small single-story extension might be 3-4 days. Large two-story with complex drainage could be 1-2 weeks. Wet weather, hard ground, or services to relocate all add time. I'll estimate once I've seen plans and site.
What if we hit rock or underground issues?
Rock needs breaking - costs more. Unknown services need careful exposure and possibly diversion. Tree roots need removing. Old foundations/debris need excavating. These are extras that can't be predicted until we dig. I'll quote for expected work and agree extras as they arise.
Can you do this for me if I'm DIY building the extension?
Yes - I work with DIY builders regularly. You need the groundwork done properly even if you're doing the rest yourself. I'll work to building control requirements and get it ready for your inspector to sign off before you start building.
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