Groundworks and Foundations in Caversham

Groundworks and foundations in Caversham from Stephen Anthony Developments. Site clearance, digging, drainage and concrete work, the stage nobody sees and every other part of the build depends on.

Home > Home builder > Groundworks and foundations

What Groundworks Involve

Groundworks cover everything below and around the building: clearing the site, digging trenches, laying drainage, pouring concrete and getting levels right. It is the messiest and most weather dependent stage, and the one that decides whether the rest of the build runs smoothly.

Groundworks and foundations in Caversham with trenches dug and drainage being laid

More Information

Foundation Types and What Decides Them

Strip foundations suit most ordinary ground. Trench fill is quicker but uses more concrete. Where the ground is poor or there are large trees nearby, you may need piles or a raft. Soil conditions and tree roots decide this, not preference.

Drainage and Services Below Ground

Foul and surface water drains, ducts for power, water and broadband all go in while the ground is open. Doing it then costs very little. Digging up a finished driveway a year later to run a missed cable costs a great deal more.

About us

Groundworks and foundations underpin every job we take on, whether it is a new house or a rear extension. Having our own team on this stage means we control the part of the programme most likely to slip, and building control inspections get booked as soon as trenches are ready.

34 years building across Caversham and Reading
Show home in RG4 you can look round
Office in RG4 and clients are welcome to call in
One team from groundworks to final finish
Written quotes before any work is agreed

STILL NOT SURE?

Frequently Asked Questions

How deep do foundations need to be in the Caversham area?

A common minimum is around a metre, but the real depth depends on soil type, nearby trees and what building control require after inspecting the trench. Clay soils and mature trees usually push it deeper. The trench is always inspected before concrete is poured.

How long do groundworks take on an extension?

For a typical single storey extension, around one to two weeks from breaking ground to a finished slab, weather permitting. Drainage diversions, deep foundations or poor access can double that. Wet weather is the most common reason this stage overruns.

What happens if you find a drain or old foundations while digging?

It happens regularly. We stop, look at what is there and work out whether it can be built over, diverted or needs a different foundation. You get a price for the extra work before we carry on, so there is no surprise on the invoice.