Essex · England
Excavation and sub-base in Colchester
From Colchester to Clacton-on-Sea, we price excavation and sub-base with each part of the work set out separately, so you can see where the money goes.
- Guide price
- Priced after survey
- Postcodes
- CO1, CO2, CO3, CO4
- 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.
Before quoting groundworks in Colchester we check levels against door thresholds, look for shallow services and plan where spoil and materials will go. Plot sizes and existing surfaces vary a lot across Colchester, so the survey comes before any fixed figure.
Across Essex, the projects we price include digging out an old drive and building a permeable sub-base, adding a soakaway so water stays on the property and replacing failed edges that have started to crumble. More about excavation and sub-base.
Prices for excavation and sub-base in Colchester
Guide prices for Colchester are based on East of England rates, which are above the UK average. The written quote after your survey is the figure that counts.
| Service | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Excavation and sub-base | Priced after survey |
| Resin over tarmac and concrete | £50–£75 per m² |
| New resin driveways (full dig-out) | £80–£130 per m² |
Based on East of England rates. See the full price guide or price your own project.
Planning in Colchester
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 East of England is the driest part of the UK, which gives a long resin laying season, though heavy clays in places mean the sub-base needs designing for slow drainage. We only lay resin on dry days with ground and air above about 5°C, so Colchester jobs are booked with the forecast in mind.
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 Colchester: questions
Is the price fixed for Colchester 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 Colchester?
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.
Do I need planning permission in Colchester?
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.
Excavation and sub-base near Colchester
- Clacton-on-Sea 12.8 mi
- Witham 12.8 mi
- Maldon 14.7 mi
- Braintree 15.0 mi
- Harwich 16.6 mi
Other services in Colchester
- 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 Colchester
We cover CO1, CO2, CO3 and CO4 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