Groundworks & Driveways
Groundworks & Driveways in Birmingham & the West Midlands
Every solid build starts below ground. CH Developments handles groundworks, drainage, foundations and hard landscaping, including driveways and patios, across Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Overview
Groundworks are the part of a project you never see but always feel the effect of. Get the foundations, levels and drainage right and everything above runs smoothly; get them wrong and the problems surface for years. We treat the groundwork, the dig, the concrete and the falls, with the same care as the finished surface on top.
Alongside foundations for new builds and extensions, we lay block paving, resin and tarmac driveways, patios and paths that handle Midlands weather and daily use. A proper sub-base, the right edging and working drainage are what stop a new driveway from sinking, cracking or pooling water, which is exactly where cheap jobs cut corners.
We work across Birmingham, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield and the wider West Midlands, design driveways to meet the SuDS surface-water rules, and assess the ground (clay, made-up ground or a slope) before we quote so the price reflects the real job. CH Developments is CHAS-accredited and fully insured, and stands behind its groundworks and surfacing with a workmanship guarantee.
What's included
- Site clearance and excavation
- Concrete foundations and footings
- Surface and foul drainage and soakaways
- Block paving, resin and tarmac driveways
- Patios, paths and retaining walls
- Correct falls, edging and sub-base throughout
Your Options
Groundwork and external work
Foundations and footings
Excavation and concrete foundations for new builds, extensions and outbuildings, dug to the depth Building Control requires.
Drainage
Surface and foul drainage, soakaways and connections, designed to handle real Midlands rainfall.
Driveways
Block paving, resin-bound and tarmac driveways laid on a proper sub-base with the right falls and edging.
Patios and hard landscaping
Paved patios, paths, steps and retaining walls that tie the outside space together and drain properly.
Good to Know
Planning, regulations and the practical side
The questions worth answering before the work starts. We handle the paperwork and the approvals as part of the job.
Drainage and permeable surfaces
A larger front-garden driveway may need planning unless it uses a permeable surface or drains to a soakaway rather than to the road, under the SuDS rules. We design driveways to meet that and to drain properly.
Ground conditions
Clay, made-up ground and slopes all change the right approach to foundations and sub-base. We assess the ground before quoting so the price reflects the real job, not a guess.
Levels and access
Getting the falls, levels and machine access right at the start is what keeps a groundworks job on programme. We plan the dig, the muck-away and the deliveries so the site does not grind to a halt.
What It Costs
What affects the price
Every project is different, so we do not publish one-size figures that rarely hold true. Instead we give you a free, fixed-price quotation after a site visit, so you know the full cost before any work begins. These are the main things that move the price:
- Area and the amount of excavation and muck-away
- Surface choice: block paving, resin or tarmac
- Drainage and any retaining structures required
- Ground conditions and access for machinery
- Edging, kerbs and the depth of sub-base needed
Where We Work
Groundworks across Birmingham & the West Midlands
We deliver groundworks & driveways throughout Birmingham & the West Midlands and the surrounding towns.
Questions & Answers
Groundworks: common questions
Do I need planning permission for a driveway?+
A new or enlarged front driveway usually does not need planning if it uses a permeable surface or drains to a soakaway rather than to the road. We design it to meet the rules and to drain correctly.
Do you do the groundworks for extensions and new builds?+
Yes. Foundations, drainage and site preparation are core to what we do, whether as part of a full build with us or as a standalone groundworks package for another contractor.
How long does a driveway take?+
Most domestic driveways take from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the size, the surface and any drainage work. We give you a clear programme with your quote.
Which driveway surface is best?+
Block paving, resin-bound and tarmac each suit different budgets and looks. We talk you through the trade-offs in durability, maintenance and drainage, then lay whichever you choose on a properly prepared sub-base.
Which areas do you cover for groundworks and driveways?+
We cover Birmingham & the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield and the surrounding towns.
Written and reviewed by
Atif Ali
Lead Builder, CH Developments
Atif Ali has worked in construction for over seven years and leads CH Developments projects from the first site visit to final sign-off. His clients stay with him: the average customer has worked with CH Developments for more than three and a half years, and most new work comes through referrals from existing customers.
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Planning groundworks & driveways? Let's talk.
Tell us about your project and we'll arrange a free, no-obligation site visit and fixed-price quotation across Birmingham & the West Midlands.
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Tell us about your project and we'll be in touch to arrange a free, no-obligation site visit across Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Contact details
- Registered office36A Birchensale Road
Redditch, Worcestershire
B97 6JS - Phone07857 039700
- Opening hoursMon–Fri 8:00–18:00 · Sat by appointment
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