Your One Stop Solution for Drainage & Groundworks in Kingston | Legion Plant Groundworks & Drainage Contractors

There are few projects we undertake in the Kingston area which don’t involve excavations. As an operated plant hire provider, this is the key reason we’re brought on board jobs either as a subcontractor, or as sole groundworks contractors. Likewise, our drainage contractors will first need to excavate an area to provide both drainage installation for new build sites, and to replace existing installations which are causing trouble. Finally, our paving contractors will usually need to excavate to build beautiful new ground out of natural stone, concrete or tarmac; it goes without saying this also the case when constructing foundations for development schemes.

But what factors determine our approach to an excavation? It’s this question we’ve looked to shed some light on with the page below. If you’re instead looking for a quote from our Kingston groundworks contractors, cut right to the chase and call us on 07834 549 131. Our quotes are no obligation and always competitive.

Choosing the Right Excavation Method

Reason for Excavation – Some excavations are carried out to remove all subsoil to a certain depth, so that solid foundations can be constructed for something like an extension. Operated plant hire might be ideal here, with an excavator used to make short work of it. But other tasks may involve preserving the lion’s share of existing top soil, meaning the right choice of plant is something that levels the ground, as opposed to removing it.

Our drainage contractors, if excavating to a very shallow depth due to the current position of an existing drainage installation, may find that an excavator is overkill and simply inaccurate. In short, we’re always guided by the base reason for excavation.

Soil Type – Before beginning any work in Kingston or the wider South East, our team will carry out a survey to figure out the type of subsoil present on a site. This will inform the technical details of the excavation. For example, our paving contractors and groundworks contractors will need to construct wall supports when dealing with very soft, light soil, as otherwise it may collapse in on itself, leading to serious setbacks. A very solid soil make-up, on the other hand, may signal the need for the type of powerful excavators we make available via operated plant hire.

Project Size – It goes without saying that larger tasks will usually call for a more powerful equipment, as “by hand” excavations for large commercial sites around Kingston and the wider South East would simply take far too long, and endanger a project meeting its timeframes. And while heavy plant may fit on smaller sites, the cost of using it for small projects may prove uneconomical – and we always want to ensure our clients get proper value for money, and not “upsell” our services.

Environmental Conditions – This refers to all the surrounding conditions of the site. What if there’s low hanging power lines, or a nearby historical property that inhibits easy access? The presence of existing drainage installations, underground power lines and even natural ecosystems which could be disrupted by certain types of work will always inform our groundworks contractors, paving contractors and drainage contractors on how to proceed with any project – from a site clearance to construction of foundations.