Lothian · Scotland
Excavation and sub-base in the Lothians
We price excavation and sub-base across the Lothians, from Livingston to the smaller towns, with a free survey and an itemised written quote.
- Guide price
- Priced after survey
- Postcode areas
- EH
- Survey
- Free, no obligation
Excavation and sub-base across the Lothians
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.
Across the Lothians, the projects we price include digging out an old drive and building a permeable sub-base, setting a channel drain across a garage entrance and replacing failed edges that have started to crumble.
Prices in the Lothians
For Lothian, where typical costs are a little below the UK average, these are the ranges we would expect before seeing your property.
Excavation and sub-base: Priced after survey.
Planning in the Lothians
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. We only lay resin on dry days with ground and air above about 5°C, so Livingston jobs are booked with the forecast in mind.
Towns in the Lothians
Excavation and sub-base in the Lothians: questions
Is the price fixed for the Lothians 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 the Lothians?
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.
What postcodes do you cover around the Lothians?
We cover EH and the surrounding districts, including Livingston and Musselburgh.
Other services in the Lothians
- 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 the Lothians
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