Engineered Ground Solutions · Specialist DivisionGROUNDWORKS by Hinchliffe
The invisible work that decides how long your surface lasts. Excavation, foundations, drainage, site preparation and earthworks.
Every groundworks by hinchliffe install is engineered using recognised pavement-construction principles and relevant BS 7533 guidance, survey, engineered sub-base, edge restraints and approved surface systems.
Full groundworks capability in-house: excavation, drainage, foundations, kerbing and structural sub-bases. Whether it's the prep under a new driveway or standalone drainage and civils work, it's engineered, not improvised.
Best for
- →New driveway and patio builds
- →Standalone drainage or flooding fixes
- →Extensions, outbuildings and hardstandings needing structural prep
Engineered Gravel System
A stabilised gravel surface engineered on a structural formation, so the stone stays where it is laid rather than migrating into borders and gullies.
Excavation depth, formation build-up and drainage are engineered to the ground conditions found on site, and confirmed in your Hinchliffe Engineered Specification™.
All prices are indicative and subject to site assessment, measured quantities, access, drainage, detailing, ground conditions and the final written specification. VAT treatment will be confirmed within the formal quotation.
The finished surface is only as good as the construction beneath it
Groundworks is where pavement performance is decided. Where separation is required, omitting the geotextile can allow subgrade fines to migrate into the granular construction, reducing long-term pavement performance.
Capabilities
Delivered as a standalone package or as the preparation stage for surfacing.
- 1Excavation
- 2Reduced level excavation
- 3Formation preparation
- 4Geotextile separation where required
- 5Granular sub-bases
- 6Drainage
- 7Kerbing
- 8Levels and falls
- 9Service considerations and buried service awareness
- 10Preparation for surfacing
GROUNDWORKS by Hinchliffe, your questions.
Why does groundworks matter more than the surface?
Most driveway failures, cracking, sinking, pooling water, tired edges, are ground failures, not surface failures. The excavation depth, sub-base spec, geotextile separation and drainage decide how long any surface will last. Get that wrong and no surface saves it.
What's a structural sub-base?
A structural sub-base is an engineered layer of compacted crushed stone laid over a geotextile membrane, designed to suit loading, drainage and existing ground conditions. We use Type 1 under tarmac and block paving, and a SUDS-compliant Type 3 permeable stone under resin bound driveways. Depth is specified per site, clay ground needs more than sandy ground.
Do you fix driveway drainage and pooling water?
Yes, standalone drainage work is a core part of what we do. We assess where water is coming from, design a SUDS-compliant solution (linear channels, soakaways, permeable surfacing) and install it. Often we're brought in to fix drainage another contractor left broken.
Can you do groundworks for extensions and outbuildings?
Yes. We handle excavation, foundations, footings, drainage runs, sub-bases for hardstandings and full site levels for extensions, garages, garden rooms and outbuildings. If you have an architect or builder, we coordinate to their spec.
Is a geotextile membrane really necessary?
Yes on almost every domestic driveway. It separates the sub-base stone from the soft ground below, stops the two mixing over time, and prevents the sub-base sinking into soft spots. Omitting it saves very little at construction stage and is a common cause of settlement and rutting later in the life of the driveway.
Groundworks and drainage
Groundworks are priced from measured scope rather than a single square-metre rate.
- Excavation depth
- Waste classification
- Disposal weight
- Access
- Loading method
- Distance to the licensed facility
- Buried structures and services
Subject to site conditions, infiltration suitability, storage requirement and connection details.
Groundworks project minimum: £2,500 plus VAT
Groundwork rates cannot be confirmed until depth, quantities, access, services, disposal requirements and ground conditions have been assessed.
The rates above cover the surfacing system itself. Everything below the surface, and everything site-specific, is measured and calculated separately in the Hinchliffe Project Builder™ process.
- Excavation, formation preparation and compaction
- Spoil removal, haulage and tip disposal
- Sub-base supply, laying and testing
- Drainage, soakaways, linear channels and SUDS provision
- Kerbs, edgings, retaining structures and level changes
- Service covers, utility alterations and manhole adjustment
- Restricted access, plant hire and site complexity allowances
- Mobilisation, welfare, traffic management and risk allowances
Guide prices are not quotations or contractual offers. Final pricing is issued only after site assessment, measured quantities and confirmation of the construction specification. Prices exclude VAT unless expressly stated otherwise. Unforeseen ground conditions, concealed services, contamination and client-requested changes are managed under the written contract and variation procedure.
Request a measured site assessmentGroundworks & Drainage by town
Ground conditions change from one Cheshire town to the next. Pick your area to see how we build there, what we typically find below the surface and what it usually costs.
Customer proof
"We were really impressed with the project management, the team kept the neighbours informed throughout the job and everything ran smoothly from start to finish. A five-star service."
"Dan and the team were professional from start to finish. The workmanship was outstanding and the driveway has completely transformed our home. Highly recommend."
"Excellent communication throughout the project. Everything was completed exactly as promised and to a very high standard."