Groundworks London
Groundworks across London including excavation, foundations, concrete, drainage, site preparation and below-ground construction. Crestane can undertake individual groundwork packages or coordinate them with house extensions, new construction, structural works, external works and larger multi-trade projects.
Request a Groundworks Quote Explore GroundworksNeed groundworks for a London construction project?
Tell us about the site, proposed construction and the groundwork required. Crestane can consider standalone groundwork packages as well as groundworks forming part of extensions, refurbishment and larger construction projects.
Start the building from the ground up
Groundworks create the physical base from which much of the following construction proceeds.
Request a groundworks quote
Provide the main project information below.
Ground preparation before the main structure rises
Groundworks cover the construction activities required at and below ground level before many of the visible parts of a building can be constructed.
Crestane Construction undertakes suitable groundwork projects across London including excavation, foundations, concrete, drainage and site preparation.
These works may be required for house extensions, new structures, external construction, structural alteration projects and larger residential or commercial schemes.
Where Crestane is undertaking the wider project, the groundworks can be coordinated directly with the structural and above-ground construction that follows.
Groundworks for extensions and construction projects
The exact groundwork package depends on the site, proposed building and design requirements.
Site Preparation
Prepare suitable areas before excavation and construction activity begins.
Excavation
Excavation for foundations, drainage and other below-ground construction requirements.
Foundations
Foundation construction for suitable extensions, buildings and structural projects.
Concrete Works
Concrete construction associated with foundations, bases and suitable groundwork packages.
Drainage
Relevant below-ground drainage work and alterations coordinated with construction projects.
Trenches
Suitable trench excavation for services, drainage and other agreed construction requirements.
Extension Groundworks
Ground preparation, excavation and foundations forming the first stages of house-extension construction.
External Groundworks
Suitable groundwork packages connected with patios, paving, landscaping and other external construction.
Complete Groundworks Package
Coordinate excavation, foundations, drainage and concrete as part of one wider construction programme.
The structure above depends on what supports it below
Foundations transfer loads from the building into the ground and therefore form an important structural element of many construction projects.
The appropriate foundation arrangement depends on the specific building, ground conditions and structural requirements.
For this reason, foundations should follow the appropriate project design and construction information rather than being treated as a generic excavation depth.
Once complete, the groundworks provide the base for the walls, structure and wider construction above.
Drainage needs to be considered before the ground is closed
Drainage is often affected when new construction changes the footprint or layout of a property.
House extensions can interact with existing below-ground drainage routes, while kitchens, bathrooms and other new facilities may create additional drainage requirements.
Relevant drainage works should therefore be considered alongside excavation and foundation construction rather than being left until the structure above is already complete.
Crestane can coordinate suitable drainage alterations and below-ground construction within the wider groundwork package.
The extension starts before the walls are built
Groundworks are normally one of the first major construction stages of a house extension.
Depending on the design, the works can include site preparation, excavation, foundations, drainage and concrete before the new walls and structure progress above ground level.
Crestane can coordinate these early works with the complete extension construction including walls, structural steel, roofing, glazing, building services and interior completion.
See our House Extensions London service.
What can be included?
Prepare suitable working areas ahead of construction.
Excavate for agreed below-ground construction requirements.
Prepare excavations for the specified foundation arrangement.
Complete suitable foundation construction to project requirements.
Concrete works forming part of groundwork and base construction.
Excavation associated with relevant drainage routes.
Suitable changes required by the proposed construction.
Suitable trench work for agreed below-ground services.
Prepare relevant areas before following construction layers.
Groundwork associated with suitable external building works.
New structural support can affect work below ground
Some structural alteration projects introduce new columns, supports or load paths that may require suitable supporting construction beneath them.
The exact requirement depends on the structural design and the existing building.
Where groundworks are required as part of a wider structural project, Crestane can coordinate the below-ground work with the structural alterations above.
Groundworks within larger commercial construction projects
Groundworks can also form part of suitable commercial refurbishment and construction projects where excavation, drainage, concrete or below-ground preparation is required.
These packages can be coordinated with structural, external and internal construction where Crestane is delivering the wider project.
See our Commercial Construction London service.
What affects the cost of groundworks?
Groundwork cost depends on the amount of excavation, foundation requirements, drainage, access and conditions encountered on the particular project.
From site preparation to construction-ready foundations
Review
Understand the site, proposed construction, drawings and groundwork requirements.
Prepare
Prepare access and suitable working areas for the groundwork activities.
Excavate
Progress foundation, drainage and other agreed excavation works.
Drainage
Complete relevant below-ground drainage works within the required sequence.
Foundations
Complete the specified foundation and concrete construction.
Continue the Build
Progress into the above-ground structural construction where included.
Groundworks across different construction projects
What should you send with your enquiry?
Site Address
Provide the postcode and basic information about the site.
Project Type
Tell us whether the groundworks support an extension, new build or other construction.
Drawings
Send foundation, drainage or construction drawings where available.
Dimensions
Provide approximate sizes or quantities where already known.
Access
Explain available access for materials, plant and construction activity.
Photographs
Photos can help show existing site conditions and working areas.
Groundworks are often the first stage of a larger build
Groundwork projects across Greater London
Crestane considers suitable residential and commercial groundwork projects throughout Greater London.
Frequently asked questions
What groundworks does Crestane undertake?
Suitable projects can include site preparation, excavation, foundations, concrete, drainage, trenching and groundworks forming part of larger construction projects.
Does Crestane undertake excavation?
Yes. Suitable excavation work can be undertaken for foundations, drainage and other agreed construction requirements.
Does Crestane build foundations?
Suitable foundation construction can be undertaken where the relevant project and structural requirements have been established.
Do you undertake drainage work?
Relevant below-ground drainage works and alterations can be incorporated into suitable groundwork and construction projects.
Do you undertake concrete works?
Yes. Suitable concrete works associated with foundations, bases and groundwork construction can be included.
Can you undertake groundworks for a house extension?
Yes. Groundworks can include excavation, foundations, drainage and concrete before the extension progresses above ground.
Can Crestane build the extension after completing the groundworks?
Yes. Crestane can continue from the groundworks into structural construction, roofing, glazing, services and interior completion where the full extension is within the agreed scope.
Can groundworks form part of structural alterations?
Yes. Some structural projects may require new below-ground support. The requirements depend on the structural design and existing building.
Do foundations need Building Regulations consideration?
Foundations are structural elements of a building, so the appropriate structural and Building Regulations requirements should be established for the particular project.
Is drainage covered by Building Regulations?
Relevant drainage requirements can fall within Building Regulations. The appropriate requirements should therefore be established for the specific project and proposed drainage work.
Do you undertake commercial groundworks?
Suitable commercial groundwork packages can be considered, particularly where they form part of wider construction works.
What affects groundwork costs in London?
Cost depends on excavation quantities, foundations, ground conditions, drainage, concrete requirements, access, spoil removal and the wider construction scope.
Do I need drawings before contacting Crestane?
No. You can make an initial enquiry before all information is complete. Foundation, drainage and construction drawings are useful where already available.
What should I send with my enquiry?
Send the site postcode, photographs, a description of the groundwork required, approximate dimensions and any available construction, foundation or drainage drawings.
Which parts of London does Crestane cover?
Suitable groundwork projects can be considered throughout Greater London including Central, North, North West, West, South West, South, South East and East London.