GROUNDWORKS by Hinchliffe
The invisible work that decides how long your surface lasts.
Full groundworks capability in-house: excavation, drainage, foundations, kerbing and structural sub-bases. Whether it's the prep under a new driveway or standalone drainage and civils work, it's engineered — not improvised.
Best for
- →New driveway and patio builds
- →Standalone drainage or flooding fixes
- →Extensions, outbuildings and hardstandings needing structural prep
GROUNDWORKS by Hinchliffe — your questions.
Why does groundworks matter more than the surface?
Most driveway failures — cracking, sinking, pooling water, tired edges — are ground failures, not surface failures. The excavation depth, sub-base spec, geotextile separation and drainage decide how long any surface will last. Get that wrong and no surface saves it.
What's a structural sub-base?
A structural sub-base is compacted MOT type 1 stone laid in layers over a geotextile membrane, dug to a depth suited to the load and ground conditions. It spreads vehicle load, prevents movement and gives drainage a path. We specify depth per site — clay ground needs more than sandy ground.
Do you fix driveway drainage and pooling water?
Yes — standalone drainage work is a core part of what we do. We assess where water is coming from, design a SUDS-compliant solution (linear channels, soakaways, permeable surfacing) and install it. Often we're brought in to fix drainage another contractor left broken.
Can you do groundworks for extensions and outbuildings?
Yes. We handle excavation, foundations, footings, drainage runs, sub-bases for hardstandings and full site levels for extensions, garages, garden rooms and outbuildings. If you have an architect or builder, we coordinate to their spec.
Is a geotextile membrane really necessary?
Yes on almost every domestic driveway. It separates the sub-base stone from the soft ground below, stops the two mixing over time, and prevents the sub-base sinking into soft spots. Skipping it saves £100 today and costs £5,000 in five years.