What Services Does a Groundworks Contractor Provide
Groundworks Contractors Plymouth 01752 905016
A groundworker or groundworks are terms synonymous with the UK. In fact, you must have heard about them during a construction project. But do you know what the terminologies mean and their role in the building and construction industry?
Simply put, groundwork is the job or trade that is performed at the early and last ages of a construction. It’s aimed at preparing the site, laying the foundation, and also cleaning up after the project is over. The person who carries out this task is known as the groundsman and operates as a subcontractor. The following are the key services offered by a groundworks contractor:
Ground Investigation
Before undertaking any project, you are required to confirm several things. Firstly, you need to know its earlier use. Secondly, the ground should be solid and safe to support the proposed development. Thirdly, it shouldn’t be in a swampy or gazetted area. Fourthly, the construction shouldn’t cause any harm to the drainage, soil structure, ecology, or contaminate the land. Such investigations are undertaken by a groundsman who will give a final report based on the findings. A builder or constructor will only carry on if the report is positive.
Site Clearance
Before putting up a project, you need to make the land ready. This involves removing any trees, roots or stumps, demolishing any existing structures (buildings, walls, fences…), and removing the topsoil. A groundworks contractor ensures the target space is clear and this also helps him discover any flaws that were previously hidden by the vegetation or old buildings. For instance, he may discover that the land is not as level as it appears and leveling it will be necessary. This is achieved through erecting retaining walls or excavating some sections and moving the soil to the shallower ends.
Ground Stabilisation
After clearing and leveling the land, the next step is making certain the ground is firm enough to support the proposed building. The method or technique used is influenced by several things including the type of development, substructure, soil type and profile, local legislations and more. Retaining walls improve stability especially on sloppy surfaces and are made from reinforced concrete, blockwork, timber or bricks. A cheaper alternative when working on shallower foundations is using sheet piling. It entails inserting steel sheet piles using a hydraulic hammer and then interlocking them. Use of ground anchors (metal wedges attached to steel cables), attaching a mesh to ends of the bars, using geosynthetic materials are other ways of stabilizing the ground
Preparing the Foundation
Picture yourself placing a heavy brick or stone on sand or very wet clay soil. The weight of the stone or brick will displace some sand or soil, and this is exactly what will happen if the foundation is poor or substandard. A groundwork contractor creates the right foundation that will effectively and safely support the building. The suitability of the chosen type is determined by the size of the building, type of soil, water presence, sensitivity to vibrations, and ground conditions. There are two types of foundation; shallow and deep. The former is suitable for small loads or in areas where the soil structure is good; for instanced, stone or rock surfaces. The latter is used in areas with clay soils or to support heavy loads (large buildings).
Site Services
You should also expect the groundworker to offer services such as constructing the channels for the drainage, basic tunneling, creating utility connections, altering the electricity cables or water piping and more. All these services are done to create minimal interruptions or inconvenience and will ensure the builder will carry on without breaks and waste time. However, complex services such as deep tunneling, major alteration to the electricity cables, or pipe work will be handled by a specialist. This is why groundworks needs to be carried out by Groundworks construction companies who are approved.
Landscaping
After the building project is complete, the contractor is called back to finish off. He will get rid of unwanted materials and debris, re-flatten areas that are a little bumpy, or excavate some sections for a better outlook. The tradesman also resurfaces the car park, creates the footpath, driveway or roads. All these are aimed at making the building occupation-ready and also contribute to its final appearance. Groundwork contractors normally are paid on the basis of material, labour or plant.
Conclusion
You probably are amazed by the value added by a groundworks contractor. Without him, the project would take much longer and would possibly cost more. If you are about to undertake a project, it’s the right time you started searching for a good groundworker. Not only will you enjoy exceptional service and peace-of-mind but maximum satisfaction as well. Make sure your Groundworking contractor is part of the National Federation of Builders.
As Plymouth Builders, we are more than happy to serve as your OneStop shop for all groundworks. We are a team of dedicated and skilled individuals with many years of hands-on experience. Our company is registered and licensed to offer various services for domestic, commercial and industrial clients in Plymouth and its environs. To us, your satisfaction is what matters and this is why we offer a guarantee on our services. We also give a free quote. All you need is visiting us at www.plymouthbuild.co.uk or calling 01752 905016
. Talk to us and experience what stress-free groundwork service is about.
