Lothian · Scotland
Excavation and sub-base in Edinburgh
Planning a driveway dig-out and sub-base in Edinburgh? We survey, measure and quote across the area, and our guide prices reflect typical Lothian costs.
- Guide price
- Priced after survey
- Postcode areas
- EH
- Survey
- Free, no obligation
Excavation and sub-base across Edinburgh
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.
Depth depends on the ground and the load. Clay, made ground and old garden soil need more depth than firm gravelly ground. Where services such as water pipes or cables run shallow, they are located before digging.
In Queensferry we can price work such as replacing failed edges that have started to crumble, preparing a drive to meet a new dropped kerb and digging out an old drive and building a permeable sub-base.
Prices in Edinburgh
Guide prices for Edinburgh are based on Lothian rates, which are a little below the UK average. The written quote after your survey is the figure that counts.
Excavation and sub-base: Priced after survey.
Planning in Edinburgh
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
Lothian is one of the drier parts of Scotland, but cold winters and frost make a well-drained, frost-resistant base important. Spring to autumn offers the most laying days in Edinburgh, but dry, mild winter days can work too.
Towns in Edinburgh
Excavation and sub-base in Edinburgh: questions
Is the price fixed for Edinburgh 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.
Do I need planning permission in Edinburgh?
Scotland's householder permitted development rules allow many hard surfaces at a house where the surface is porous or water drains to a permeable area within the property. A fully permeable resin bound build, with a porous base under it, meets that test.
Who approves dropped kerbs in Edinburgh?
Dropped kerb consent comes from your council as roads authority. We help with the application and get your drive ready to meet the new crossing.
Other services in Edinburgh
- 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 Edinburgh
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