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Groundwork & Foundations in Ashford Kent

Groundwork & Foundations In Ashford Kent

Professional groundwork and foundation construction services providing solid bases for extensions, outbuildings, and new structures across Ashford, Canterbury, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells and throughout Kent

Build on solid foundations with A.P.T. Builders groundwork and foundation services. With over 18 years of experience serving Ashford and Kent, we provide professional excavation, foundation construction, and groundwork for extensions, conversions, outbuildings, and new builds. From initial site preparation and drainage through concrete foundations and floor slabs, we deliver quality groundwork ensuring stable, level, dry bases that last for generations. Every foundation we construct meets Building Regulations with proper depth, specification, and damp proofing throughout.

Complete Groundwork & Foundation Services

Quality foundations are essential for any building project, providing stable support and preventing settlement, cracking, and structural issues. We provide comprehensive groundwork services from initial excavation through foundation construction, drainage installation, and floor slab preparation. Our experienced team works to structural engineer specifications, Building Regulations requirements, and Building Control standards ensuring your project starts on the right footing. Proper groundwork prevents expensive problems later, making it the most important investment in any building project.

Foundation Construction Ashford Kent

Our Groundwork Services

  • Site Excavation: Professional digging to required depths with proper disposal of excavated material
  • Foundation Trenches: Accurate trench excavation to structural engineer specifications and depths
  • Concrete Foundations: Quality concrete pouring with proper reinforcement and curing time
  • Ground Floor Slabs: Level concrete floors with insulation and damp-proof membranes
  • Drainage Installation: Foul and surface water drainage with proper falls and connections
  • Service Ducting: Underground ducting for utilities including water, electric, and gas
  • Damp-Proofing: Complete damp proof courses and membranes preventing moisture ingress
  • Hardcore & Sub-Base: Proper sub-base preparation with compacted hardcore and leveling

Groundwork Projects We Complete

Extension Foundations

Strip foundations for single and double storey extensions with proper depth and specification.

Outbuilding Bases

Concrete bases and foundations for garden rooms, garages, and outbuildings of all sizes.

New Build Foundations

Complete foundation systems for new builds including trench fill and reinforced concrete.

Garage Bases

Level concrete bases for garages with proper drainage and reinforcement specifications.

Conservatory Bases

Reinforced concrete bases for conservatories with insulation and damp-proof membranes.

Drainage Systems

Complete drainage installation including foul water, surface water, and soakaway systems.

Foundation Types & Construction Methods

Different building projects require different foundation types depending on ground conditions, loads, and Building Regulations requirements. Strip foundations are most common for extensions and houses, with trenches filled with concrete providing stable support. Trench fill foundations use more concrete but require less labor and provide excellent stability. Pad foundations support individual columns or posts, while raft foundations spread loads across larger areas on poor ground. We work to structural engineer specifications ensuring the right foundation type for your specific project and ground conditions.

Foundation Construction Process

  • Ground Assessment: Evaluating ground conditions, water table, and existing structures nearby
  • Setting Out: Accurate marking and measuring ensuring foundations are square and level
  • Excavation: Professional digging to required depths with stable trench sides throughout
  • Inspection: Building Control inspection of trenches before concrete pouring
  • Concrete Pouring: Quality concrete mix poured to specification with proper curing time
  • Foundation Walls: Blockwork or brickwork built on foundations to damp-proof course level
Excavation Work Ashford Kent

Foundation Success Factors

Proper Depth

Foundations dug to adequate depth below frost line and poor soil, typically 1m minimum.

Quality Concrete

Specified concrete mix with proper strength and curing time ensuring long term stability.

Good Drainage

Proper drainage preventing water accumulation around foundations causing settlement issues.

Building Control

Inspections at key stages ensuring compliance with Building Regulations throughout.

Comprehensive Groundwork Solutions

Strip Foundations

Most Common

Traditional trench foundations with concrete base and blockwork walls, suitable for most extensions and buildings providing stable support on good ground conditions.

  • ✓ Concrete filled trenches
  • ✓ Blockwork foundation walls
  • ✓ Cost effective solution
  • ✓ Building Regs approved
  • ✓ Suitable most ground types

Ideal for: Extensions, outbuildings, most projects

Trench Fill Foundations

Quick Install

Deep trenches filled completely with concrete to ground level, reducing labor and time while providing excellent stability for building projects on various ground conditions.

  • ✓ Concrete to ground level
  • ✓ Faster installation
  • ✓ Less blockwork required
  • ✓ Excellent stability
  • ✓ Works on poor ground

Ideal for: Poor ground, deep foundations needed

Reinforced Concrete Slabs

Strong Base

Concrete floor slabs with steel reinforcement mesh providing strong level bases for garages, outbuildings, and structures requiring durable floor surfaces.

  • ✓ Steel mesh reinforcement
  • ✓ Level durable surface
  • ✓ Insulation included
  • ✓ Damp-proof membrane
  • ✓ Load-bearing capacity

Ideal for: Garages, workshops, heavy loads

Drainage Installation

Essential

Complete drainage systems including foul water connections, surface water drainage, and soakaways ensuring proper water management around buildings preventing dampness.

  • ✓ Foul water connections
  • ✓ Surface water drainage
  • ✓ Soakaway systems
  • ✓ Proper falls maintained
  • ✓ Building Regs compliant

Ideal for: All building projects requiring drainage

Essential Groundwork Elements

Professional groundwork incorporating quality materials and expert construction:

Site Clearance

Complete site preparation removing vegetation, topsoil, and debris preparing for excavation work.

Accurate Setting Out

Precise measuring and marking ensuring foundations are square, level, and correctly positioned.

Proper Excavation

Professional digging to specified depths with stable sides and adequate working space throughout.

Hardcore Base

Compacted hardcore sub-base providing stable, level platform for concrete floor slabs.

Damp-Proof Membranes

Heavy duty DPM installed below concrete slabs preventing moisture rising through floors.

Floor Insulation

High performance insulation meeting Building Regulations thermal requirements for ground floors.

Service Ducting

Underground pipes and ducts for water, electric, gas, and telecoms installed before concrete.

Quality Concrete

Specified concrete mix with proper strength, curing time, and professional finishing throughout.

Our Professional Groundwork Process

1

Site Assessment

We assess ground conditions, access, and requirements planning the groundwork approach

2

Setting Out

Accurate marking and measuring ensuring foundations are correctly positioned and square

3

Excavation

Professional digging to required depths with safe working practices and proper disposal

4

Building Control Inspection

Inspector examines foundation trenches before concrete pouring approving depth and specification

5

Concrete Pouring

Quality concrete poured to specification with proper leveling and adequate curing time

6

Foundation Walls & Floors

Blockwork construction, drainage installation, and floor slab preparation ready for building

Building Regulations & Standards Compliance

All foundation work must comply with Building Regulations Part A (Structure) requiring adequate depth, strength, and specification for the building loads. Building Control inspects foundations before concrete pouring, checking depth, width, ground conditions, and reinforcement. We work to structural engineer specifications ensuring foundations meet requirements while coordinating inspections throughout construction. Our experience across Kent means we understand local ground conditions, Building Control expectations, and proper construction methods delivering compliant foundations that pass inspections first time.

Concrete Foundations Ashford Kent

Our Building Regulations Compliance

  • Structural Calculations: Working to engineer specifications for adequate foundation design
  • Minimum Depth: Foundations dug to minimum 1m depth or as specified for ground conditions
  • Building Control Liaison: Coordinating inspections at appropriate stages throughout construction
  • Proper Drainage: Installing drainage systems meeting Building Regulations Part H requirements
  • Damp-Proofing: Complete damp-proof courses and membranes meeting Part C specifications
  • Documentation: Maintaining records and certificates for Building Control and future reference

Expert Groundwork & Foundations Services Across Ashford Kent & Surrounding Areas

For over 18 years, A.P.T. Builders has been providing professional groundwork and foundation services throughout Kent, creating solid bases for extensions, conversions, outbuildings, and new builds. We understand that foundations are the most important part of any building project, poor groundwork leads to settlement, cracking, and expensive structural problems years later. That's why we never compromise on quality, working to structural engineer specifications and Building Regulations standards ensuring every foundation we construct provides stable, long-term support.

Our experienced groundwork team handles all aspects from initial site clearance and excavation through foundation construction, drainage installation, and floor slab preparation. We coordinate Building Control inspections throughout, ensuring compliance and proper certification. Our local knowledge across Kent means we understand ground conditions in different areas, from clay soils requiring deeper foundations to chalk areas needing careful specification. This experience ensures appropriate foundation solutions for your specific location and project requirements.

We proudly serve all areas of Kent including Ashford, Maidstone, Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Dartford, Gravesend, Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester, Sittingbourne, Faversham, Dover, Folkestone, Margate, Ramsgate, and surrounding villages. Whether you need strip foundations for an extension, reinforced concrete bases for a garage, or complete groundwork for a new build, our team delivers quality foundations that provide the stable base every building project deserves.

Why Choose A.P.T. Builders for Groundwork?

18+ Years Experience

Extensive expertise in groundwork and foundations across all Kent ground conditions and projects.

Building Regs Experts

Complete compliance with Building Regulations including inspections and proper certification.

Structural Engineer Liaison

Working to structural engineer specifications ensuring adequate foundation design throughout.

Quality Materials

Specified concrete mixes, proper reinforcement, and quality materials ensuring long-term stability.

Professional Equipment

Modern excavation equipment and tools completing groundwork efficiently and safely.

Accurate Setting Out

Precise measuring and marking ensuring foundations are correctly positioned and level.

Transparent Pricing

Detailed quotations with all groundwork costs included and no hidden charges.

Full Guarantees

Comprehensive warranties on all groundwork and foundation construction for peace of mind.

Build on solid foundations with A.P.T. Builders groundwork services. Professional excavation, quality concrete, Building Regulations compliance across Kent. The foundation for successful building projects.

Need Groundwork or Foundations?

Get your free consultation and detailed quotation from Kent's groundwork specialists