Devon · England
Excavation and sub-base in Plymouth
We quote excavation and sub-base for homes across Plymouth, from the PL1 district outwards, and send an itemised written price after a free visit.
- Guide price
- Priced after survey
- Postcodes
- PL1, PL4, PL3
- Survey
- Free, no obligation
What excavation and sub-base involves
Excavation and sub-base work is the groundwork under a resin surface: digging out the old drive and soft ground, removing the spoil, and building up compacted layers of crushed stone and a binder course that will carry cars without moving.
In Plymouth, the survey for this work is about levels, falls and ground conditions: where water goes now, what is under the surface and how materials will reach the site. Plymouth has everything from tight terraced frontages to large suburban drives, so no two quotes look the same.
Across Devon, the projects we price include preparing a drive to meet a new dropped kerb, setting a channel drain across a garage entrance and digging out an old drive and building a permeable sub-base. More about excavation and sub-base.
Prices for excavation and sub-base in Plymouth
For the South West, where typical costs are above the UK average, these are the ranges we would expect before seeing your property.
| Service | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Excavation and sub-base | Priced after survey |
| Driveway drainage and soakaways | £55–£120 per linear metre |
| Resin patios | £50–£130 per m² |
Based on South West rates. See the full price guide or price your own project.
Planning in Plymouth
Groundworks for a domestic drive do not usually need planning permission in themselves, but the finished surface follows the front-garden drainage rules, and shallow services such as water pipes and cables are located before digging.
General information for England, not legal advice.
Weather and working days
The South West gets more rain than the east of England, especially on higher ground, so permeability and falls matter on every drive. Laying days in Plymouth are confirmed close to the date, because rain and cold stop resin curing properly.
How it works
Guide price first, then a free visit, then a line-by-line quote. Nothing is booked until you have the specification in writing.
Excavation and sub-base in Plymouth: questions
Do I need planning permission in Plymouth?
In England, a new or replaced hard surface of more than 5 m² in a front garden is permitted development only if it is porous, or if rainwater drains to a lawn, border or soakaway within the property. A fully permeable resin bound build, with a porous base under it, meets that test.
Is the price fixed for Plymouth jobs?
Yes, once the scope and specification are agreed in writing. If hidden ground conditions turn up, we explain and agree any change with you before doing extra work.
Who approves dropped kerbs in Plymouth?
Dropped kerb consent comes from your council as local highway authority. We help with the application and get your drive ready to meet the new crossing.
Other services in Plymouth
- Resin bound driveways
- Resin bonded driveways
- Resin over tarmac and concrete
- New resin driveways (full dig-out)
- Permeable SuDS driveways
- Driveway extensions and widening
- Resin patios
- Resin garden paths
- Resin steps
- Accessible resin ramps
- Driveway drainage and soakaways
- Driveway edging and borders
- Dropped kerb applications
- Resin driveway repairs
- Resin driveway cleaning
- Resin driveway restoration
- Commercial resin surfacing
Free survey · itemised quote
Book a free survey in Plymouth
We cover PL1, PL4 and PL3 and nearby. Tell us about your project and we will be in touch to arrange a visit.
- Base, edging and drainage priced line by line
- Real blend samples shown in daylight
- Price fixed in writing once the spec is agreed
Prefer to talk? 0800 088 6341 or