South West · England
Excavation and sub-base in Dorset
Planning a driveway dig-out and sub-base in Dorset? We survey, measure and quote across the area, and our guide prices reflect typical South West costs.
- Guide price
- Priced after survey
- Postcode areas
- BH, DT, SP
- Survey
- Free, no obligation
Excavation and sub-base across Dorset
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.
Base preparation is commonly 30–45% of a new resin drive budget, and it is where corners get cut. A thin base, unwashed fines in a permeable build, or poor compaction show up as cracks and dips within a few winters.
Projects we quote in and around Bournemouth include preparing a drive to meet a new dropped kerb, setting a channel drain across a garage entrance and fitting setts or steel edging around a new drive.
Prices in Dorset
Labour and material costs in the South West run above the UK average, and the guide figures below reflect that. They include VAT and are confirmed after a survey.
Excavation and sub-base: Priced after survey.
Planning in Dorset
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.
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. Surveys run all year; resin work itself waits for a dry day above about 5°C.
Towns in Dorset
Excavation and sub-base in Dorset: questions
Do I need planning permission in Dorset?
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 Dorset 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 Dorset?
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 Dorset
- 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
- Resin pool surrounds
- 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
- Resin tree pits
- Anti-slip resin surfacing
- Footpaths and cycle paths
Free survey · itemised quote
Book a free survey in Dorset
Tell us about your project and we will 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