Foundation Excavation in Solihull
WHAT WE OFFER
Foundation work sets the standard for everything else. Even the most skilled construction team can't build lasting quality on inadequate groundwork.
The ground preparation sets the tone for everything that follows. Skimp here and even perfect brickwork won't save you from structural issues.
Expert Foundation
Solutions
We handle all foundation types to provide your building with rock-solid foundations for decades ahead.
Building Regulation
Compliant
Full UK building standards compliance, complete with comprehensive documentation and inspections for peace of mind.
Professional Equipment
& Expertise
Our experienced team brings specialist machinery and technical expertise for precise foundation work.
We Take On All
Project Types
From home extensions and new builds to garages and commercial developments—we’re Solihull’s trusted footings contractor.
Budget decisions about foundation work affect everything that comes after. Spend wisely on groundwork and your project stays on track. Cut corners and watch costs spiral out of control.
Introduction
Footings are the connection between your structure and the ground beneath. They spread building loads evenly and stop settling or shifting that can undermine your project. This specialised work requires professional foundation contractors with the necessary knowledge and equipment to get it right.
Deep foundations solve the structural challenges that standard footings can’t address. When ground conditions are poor or load requirements are high, these systems reach down to reliable bearing strata. We conduct comprehensive soil analysis to determine the most effective deep foundation method for your site, because proper ground assessment prevents costly foundation failures.
Whether you’re adding to your home, designing bespoke properties, specifying technical requirements, or overseeing building projects, Plant Hire Now delivers foundations that perform reliably. The groundwork stage determines whether your project succeeds or struggles.
We apply tried and tested approaches to foundation work across all construction types. Our expertise covers footings, underpinning, and complete foundation systems for projects ranging from house extensions to commercial developments.
Deep Foundations
Creating proper foundations involves considerably more than digging trenches. It requires understanding structural loads, soil mechanics, local ground characteristics, and current building codes. As specialist foundation contractors, we deliver years of proven experience that standard building knowledge cannot substitute.
Civil engineering training enables our team to deliver on challenging foundation and groundworks projects. Technical competence in earthworks, piling operations, and drainage design ensures professional results on demanding sites.
Research from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors shows that foundation problems are behind 80% of building issues. When professional surveyors identify foundation work as this critical, it’s worth taking seriously.
As professional foundation contractors in Solihull, we offer the following:
Foundations do the hardest work on any site - they carry everything you build above them. Get this wrong and you're looking at problems from annoying cracks to total collapse.
Building Regulations for Footings
The UK has strict regulations for foundation building—and for good reason. These regulations ensure your structure can withstand its location and use.
Building regulations specify footing dimensions, thickness and width. These depend on:
Shallow foundations work for lighter loads and stable soil conditions; they are a practical solution for the right scenario.
Foundation decisions impact financial planning and building standard compliance. Solihull clay-dominated ground creates specific challenges requiring robust foundation solutions – expertise acquired through local construction projects.
Construction standards use concrete strength codes C15, C20 and C35. These are the values after 28 days. Engineers choose the grade based on loadings.
Legal standards apply here. Footings need official sign-off. Mistakes create future sale problems. We handle regulatory matters.
Foundation Design and Planning
Foundation design and planning is the backbone of any build. Before we start building we inspect the ground and soil to determine the best foundation type.
Our foundation services are key to this process. We use our knowledge to advise whether deep, shallow, raft, strip or pile foundations are best for your project.
Solihull’s soil types determine which foundation approach works best. Building standards ensure compliance, but structural loads determine strength. We balance your material preferences with what your site actually needs.
Working with us means your building will be built on solid foundations, so you can have peace of mind and long term stability. Proper planning at this stage isn’t just about meeting regulations, it’s about protecting your investment and making sure your building lasts.
Types of Foundations and Footings We Work With
We work with all types of foundations from strip to piled systems. Each project is matched to what's best for your build and ground conditions. We find the solution then get the groundwork done right. Soil stabilisation is part of our service when your site needs it before foundation work starts.
Single footings take weight from one column each. Concrete blocks placed under every structural point. They transfer loads safely into the ground without causing settlement.
We use them for:
- Buildings with isolated load points
- Steel or timber frame structures
- Sites with good solid ground
- Jobs where you want to minimise concrete usage
Individual footings put support exactly where you need it without wasting materials.
Strip Foundations / Strip Footings
Most homes across the UK sit on strip foundations. Continuous concrete strips positioned beneath walls that carry structural loads. They're tried and tested for residential construction.
Perfect for:
- Standard brick and block build
- House extensions
- Homes on solid ground
- Buildings where the wall weight spreads evenly
We work out how wide and deep they must be based on your wall thickness, build height and what your soil can handle.
Raft foundations are large reinforced concrete slabs covering your building's full footprint. They spread weight evenly across a wide area instead of concentrating loads at specific points.
We recommend them for:
- Weak or problem soils
- Sites with high water levels
- Buildings where uneven settling could cause issues
- Loads that spread evenly across the structure
Proper engineering is essential for getting raft foundations right. The thickness, steel reinforcement, and edge details all need to be calculated, and that’s where our experience counts.
When the ground can't take normal foundations, we use piles. Deep columns sunk until they reach solid soil or bedrock below. Ground beams connect them into one foundation.
They’re the answer for:
- Very poor or unpredictable ground
- Sites with fill or made up ground
- Clay soils that shrink and swell
- Taller builds that need deep, solid support
We use different piling methods depending on your site; driven piles, bored piles, or screw piles. Each foundation type needs the right kit and know-how, so we tailor each project to your needs.
Underpinning and Repair
Even quality foundations require care over the decades. Soil movement, additional loads, material aging – they affect all buildings eventually. Our underpinning and repair services preserve your property’s structural integrity. Underpinning involves strengthening existing foundations by deepening them and spreading weight more effectively. Repairs address damage that’s appeared over time.
We cover underpinning and repair in Solihull and the surrounding area. We’ll inspect your foundation and give you a no obligation quote so you know what work is required. By dealing with foundation issues quickly you can prevent further damage and keep your building up to the highest safety and quality standards. Let us underpin your property; it will be stable, secure and protected for years.
Retaining Walls
Retaining walls are a key part of many construction projects, especially on uneven or sloping ground. They hold back soil, prevent erosion and create level areas for buildings. They are vital for the site and the surrounding area’s stability and safety.
We design and build retaining walls using various materials to suit your project, including concrete, steel and timber. In the UK, especially in Solihull, all retaining structures must comply with building regulations and we build them to the highest standards.
Why Choose Plant Hire Now?
Choosing the right contractors for your foundations and footings is key to any build’s success. We’re foundation contractors with years of experience in underpinning and stabilising structures and all aspects of foundation work.
In Solihull, our local knowledge of soil conditions and building regulations is crucial to get your build done safely and to the highest standard.
Solid Foundations You Can Count On
Your project deserves proper foundations, not guesswork. We bring the specialist knowledge, equipment and expertise that makes the difference between success and problems down the line. Homeowners planning extensions, architects designing new builds, engineers working to technical specifications, building contractors needing reliable groundworks – we deliver foundations that last.
Get in touch today to discuss your build requirements or find out how our Solihull footings services can benefit your build. We’ll get the right foundation for your project.
services available throughout Solihull
Not in Solihull? No problem – visit our Footings Contractor page and see if we’re in your area.
- Bacon's End
- Balsall Common
- Barston
- Bentley Heath
- Berkswell
- Bickenhill
- Blossomfield
- Castle Bromwich
- Catherine-de-Barnes
- Cheswick Green
- Coleshill Heath
- Copt Heath
- Cornets End
- Dickens Heath
- Dorridge
- Eastcote
- Elmdon
- Elmdon Heath
- Fen End
- Fordbridge
- Hampton-in-Arden
- Haslucks Green
- Hillfield
- Hobs Moat
- Hockley Heath
- Kineton Green
- Knowle
- Marston Green
- Meer End
- Meriden
- Monkspath
- Olton
- Sharmans Cross
- Shirley
- Solihull Lodge
- Tidbury Green
- Ulverley Green
- Whitlocks End
- World's End