#concreting

Concrete work shapes the strength and appearance of any property. Whether it’s a driveway, patio, or commercial flooring, quality workmanship matters. Concreting Mount Waverley projects require skill, planning, and attention to detail to ensure long-lasting and visually appealing results. Why Concreting Mount Waverley Matters for Modern Properties Concrete is more than just a building material.…

Planning groundworks at your property is a significant step — whether you're installing a new driveway, upgrading drainage, or laying foundations for an extension. Many homeowners in Kent make the mistake of calling in a contractor without doing any preparation, which can lead to delays, unexpected costs, and frustration on both sides. If you're based in Maidstone or anywhere across South East England, here's exactly what you should do before your groundworks team arrives on site.

1. Understand the Scope of Your Project

The first thing to clarify is what type of groundworks you actually need. Residential groundworks is a broad term that covers excavation, drainage installation, concrete slabs and footings, driveways in tarmac, block paving or resin, sandstone and porcelain patios, retaining walls, garden steps, and fencing. Before getting a quote, write down every element you want addressed. The more specific you are, the more accurate your estimate will be — and the smoother the job will go.

If you're unsure what's included under residential groundworks or what the process involves, it's worth reading up on the full scope of what a professional contractor covers before your initial site survey.

2. Check for Underground Services

This step is non-negotiable. Before any excavation begins, you need to identify the location of underground utilities on your property — gas pipes, water mains, electrical cables, and drainage runs. Your contractor should conduct a utility check, but as a homeowner, you can request plans from your utility providers in advance. Failing to do this can cause dangerous — and expensive — incidents mid-project.

3. Sort Out Access and Parking

Groundworks teams arrive with machinery. A mini-digger, tipper lorry, or concrete mixer needs clear, unobstructed access to your site. Before work starts, make sure vehicles can physically get to your drive or garden without obstruction. Remove any gates that might restrict access, inform neighbours if vehicles will be parked outside, and clear the work zone of garden furniture, bins, or anything that could get damaged or slow the crew down.

4. Agree on Waste Removal

Excavation produces substantial spoil — soil, rubble, and materials that need to go somewhere. Confirm with your contractor in advance whether waste removal is included in the quote or if it's charged separately. A reputable groundworks company in Maidstone will give you a clear breakdown of this in writing before the job starts.

5. Think About EV Charger Trenching While the Ground Is Open

This is advice that many homeowners in Kent overlook entirely — and then regret. If you're having any driveway work done, it's the perfect time to install cable ducting for a home EV charger. Once groundworks are complete and surfaces are laid, retrofitting the trenching is expensive and disruptive. With EV adoption accelerating across the UK, installing a wall-mounted home charger during your residential groundworks is both cost-effective and future-proof. You can explore residential and commercial EV charger installation options to understand what's involved before you commit to a full quote.

6. Get Everything in Writing

Before a single spade goes into the ground, you should have a written quotation, a clear project timeline, confirmation of insurance, and an agreed payment schedule. Reputable contractors will provide all of this without hesitation. If a company is reluctant to put things in writing, that's a significant red flag.

Before you lay that foundation, patio, or driveway, you need the right concreter. We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on how to spot a top-tier contractor, what questions to ask, and how to ensure you're getting durable, high-quality concrete work. Stop searching "Concreter Near Me" blindly! Learn to hire smart with Get 3 Quote. Read the full guide here