Groundworks & Drainage in Chippenham
Free no-obligation site visit · Fixed written price · No deposit · Fully insured · 20+ years experience
Groundworks & Drainage Specialists Serving Chippenham & Wiltshire
Proper groundwork preparation is what separates a driveway that lasts 30 years from one that sinks, cracks or puddles within three. Every successful paving, driveway or patio project starts with correct groundwork — the right excavation depth, the correct compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base specification, engineered drainage falls, and a soakaway or channel drain system where required. We handle all site excavation, spoil removal, levelling, sub-base installation, drainage and manhole adjustment to the correct specification for each job. SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) compliance is a legal requirement for all new impermeable surfaces, and we survey every site to ensure the drainage solution meets current Environment Act requirements. Whether you need a standalone drainage survey, soakaway installation, a channel drain system, or complete site preparation ahead of other contractors, we cover it all. Fully insured, all work to Building Regulations standards where applicable.
We cover Chippenham and the surrounding north Wiltshire area, completing driveways, patios, fencing and groundworks projects across SN14 and SN15 postcodes and into the wider Wiltshire and Cotswold fringe. Spring installation slots are available now — get in touch to book your free site visit. Chippenham sits on the Wiltshire clay vale where the River Avon cuts through a mix of clay and limestone geology. Ground conditions vary noticeably across the town: lower-lying areas near the river and the Pewsham development corridor can hold moisture and require thorough excavation and sub-base preparation, while properties on higher ground toward Hardenhuish and Monkton Park tend to have firmer, better-draining ground. The town has expanded significantly with newer estates to the north and east, where made ground conditions can be variable. We survey every site and specify the correct excavation depth and sub-base for what we actually find. Wiltshire Council follows standard national Permitted Development rules: permeable surfaces such as resin bound aggregate and open-jointed block paving are exempt from planning permission, while impermeable surfaces over 5m² in front gardens require consent if they drain to the highway. Chippenham town centre has a Conservation Area covering the historic market town core — properties here may have additional material guidance. We advise on all of this clearly at your free site visit. We cover all Chippenham postcodes and work regularly in Calne, Corsham, Melksham, Bradford-on-Avon, Lacock, Lyneham, Royal Wootton Bassett, Malmesbury, Trowbridge and across north and west Wiltshire. All quotations are fixed in writing before any work begins. No deposit required until we start on site. We carry £5 million public liability insurance. All work includes a written guarantee. Call us on 07578 180526 or use the form above for a free, no-obligation site visit.
Our Work in Chippenham
We cover all Chippenham postcodes and work regularly across north and west Wiltshire — including Calne, Corsham, Melksham, Bradford-on-Avon, Malmesbury and Trowbridge. Chippenham has a good mix of Victorian terraces, post-war semis and newer estates, each with slightly different ground conditions. We always carry out a proper site assessment before agreeing any price.
Fully Insured
Public liability covered
20+ Years
Experience in the trade
5-Star Rated
Google reviews
Fixed Price
No hidden extras
How We Work in Chippenham
Simple, transparent process — no pushy sales, no hidden costs, no deposit until we start.
01
Free Site Visit
We come to your property in Chippenham, assess the ground conditions, measure up and discuss exactly what you need.
02
Fixed Written Quote
You receive a full written quote specifying every element of the job — no vague estimates, no surprise extras.
03
Professional Installation
Our experienced team installs to a high standard, cleans up fully on completion and backs every job with a written guarantee.
Ready to get started?
Every job is priced individually based on size, access, ground conditions and material choice. The only way to get an accurate figure is a free site visit — book yours today with no obligation.
Everything in Your Quote
- Site survey and drainage assessment
- Excavation to correct depth & all spoil disposed off site
- Soil disposal and precision levelling
- 100–200mm compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base installation
- Channel drains and soakaway installation where required
- Perforated drainage pipe and geotextile membrane
- Manhole raising, adjusting and recoverting to finished level
- Kerb and edging installation
Why Choose Groundworks & Drainage?
- Full SuDS drainage survey included — every job meets current Environment Act requirements
- Correct excavation depth and sub-base specification for the surface above and vehicle loads
- Channel drains and soakaways installed to Building Regulations standards
- All excavated spoil removed from site — nothing left for you to deal with
- Manhole adjustment handled in-house — no separate contractor needed
- 20+ years experience, fully insured, all groundworks to correct specification
Lifespan
Permanent — the sub-base and drainage are the foundation everything else rests on
Planning
Groundworks and sub-base preparation itself generally does n…
Planning Permission in Chippenham
Groundworks and sub-base preparation itself generally does not require planning permission. However, connection to existing drainage systems, installation of soakaways near boundaries, or any work affecting public sewers may need building control notification or drainage consent. We navigate all of this as part of every project — you won't need to contact the council separately.
What Customers Say About Our Groundworks & Drainage
“Great value for money. Turned up when they said they would, which is rare these days. Patio looks fantastic.”
Dave H.
Cardiff
“The groundworks team sorted our drainage problem that others had failed to fix. Professional and knowledgeable.”
Tom B.
Swindon
“Absolutely brilliant job on our block paving driveway. The team were professional, tidy and finished ahead of schedule. Couldn't be happier.”
Mark T.
Bristol
Groundworks & Drainage Questions Answered
What is MOT Type 1 sub-base and why does it matter?
MOT Type 1 (also called crusher run, granular fill or hardcore) is crushed angular aggregate — typically limestone or granite — compacted in layers to form a solid, load-bearing foundation beneath driveways, paths and patios. Without a correctly compacted sub-base at the right depth, surfaces sink, rock and crack under vehicle loads. It's the single most important element of any driveway installation.
How deep does a driveway sub-base need to be?
100–150mm of compacted MOT Type 1 is standard for residential driveways with regular car traffic. For heavy vehicles (vans, caravans, HGVs) or poor ground conditions (clay, made-up ground), we specify 150–200mm or more. We assess ground conditions during your free site survey and specify the correct depth before quoting.
Do I need a soakaway for my new driveway?
If your driveway is an impermeable surface (tarmac, imprinted concrete, solid block paving) and surface water cannot drain naturally to a lawn or garden, you need a drainage solution. This is typically a soakaway (a perforated crate or trench filled with granular material) fed by a channel drain across the base of the driveway. Permeable surfaces like resin bound and open-jointed block paving drain through the surface itself and don't need this.
What does SuDS mean and does my driveway need to comply?
SuDS stands for Sustainable Drainage Systems — a set of requirements under the Environment Act designed to prevent surface water flooding by ensuring new impermeable surfaces have a drainage plan. In practice, this means your new tarmac or concrete driveway needs channel drains or a soakaway rather than allowing water to run into the highway. We assess and include SuDS-compliant drainage in every relevant quote.
Can you raise a manhole cover as part of my driveway?
Yes — adjusting manholes to the correct finished level is a standard part of most driveway jobs. We raise, adjust and re-cover manholes to the new finished surface level as part of the quoted work. You don't need a separate drainage contractor. We can handle recessed manhole covers that blend with the surrounding surface, or standard cast-iron covers.
Other services we offer in Chippenham:
Covering Chippenham and: Hardenhuish · Monkton Park · Pewsham · Rowden · Cocklebury · Abbeyfield · Cepen Park · Hunters Moon · Calne · Corsham · Lacock · Lyneham · Malmesbury · Sherston · Wootton Bassett · Purton · Crickladge · Melksham · Bradford-on-Avon · Trowbridge · Westbury · Warminster · Bath · Keynsham · Saltford
Ready for a new groundworks & drainage in Chippenham?
Free, no-obligation quote. We visit, measure up and give you a fixed price — no hidden costs.