Building Foundation Contractors Across Sussex, Surrey and Kent
CJ Groundworks completes foundation excavation, concrete work and associated groundworks for extensions, new homes, outbuildings, agricultural buildings and commercial projects across Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
With more than 35 years of groundworks experience, our family-run team manages the practical work from site preparation and foundation excavation through to reinforcement, concrete placement, drainage connections and oversite preparation.
We work from the approved drawings and foundation details supplied by your structural engineer, architect or project designer. Before quoting, we review access, ground conditions, excavation depths, concrete requirements and the proposed construction programme.
You will receive a clear scope of work setting out what is included, which inspections are required and any items that remain subject to further investigation.
/ Our Services
Building Foundation Groundworks
We complete foundation groundworks for domestic, rural and commercial construction projects.
The appropriate foundation system must be established from the building design, site conditions and relevant professional guidance. CJ Groundworks then completes the agreed excavation, preparation, reinforcement and concrete work to the supplied specification.
Strip Foundations
Strip foundations use continuous concrete strips beneath load-bearing walls. They are commonly specified for extensions, smaller buildings and straightforward domestic construction where the ground and loading conditions are suitable.
Our work can include:
- Setting out from the approved drawings
- Excavating foundation trenches
- Preparing formation levels
- Installing reinforcement where specified
- Coordinating required inspections
- Placing and levelling concrete
- Completing associated drainage and service crossings
Foundation width, depth and concrete specification will follow the approved project details rather than a standard site-wide assumption.
Trench Fill Foundations
Trench-fill foundations use deeper concrete-filled excavations, reducing the amount of below-ground blockwork required before construction reaches ground level.
They may be specified for extensions, new homes and other structures where the ground, nearby trees, loading and construction design make the system appropriate.
CJ Groundworks can complete:
- Trench excavation to the specified dimensions
- Formation preparation
- Reinforcement where required
- Service and drainage crossings
- Concrete coordination and placement
- Preparation for the next construction stage
The final depth and detail must follow the project drawings and inspection requirements.
Raft Foundations
A raft foundation is a reinforced concrete slab designed to distribute building loads across a wider area.
Rafts may be specified where ground conditions, structural loading or settlement risk make conventional strip or trench-fill foundations unsuitable. Depending on the design, our work can include:
- Reduced-level excavation
- Formation and sub-base preparation
- Blinding concrete
- Edge formwork
- Damp-proof / gas-resistant membranes
- Insulation integration
- Reinforcement and steel fixing
- Service penetrations
- Concrete placement and finishing
Raft foundations should be constructed from an engineered design that clearly identifies dimensions and concrete requirements.
Pad Foundations
Pad foundations support concentrated loads beneath structural columns, posts or framed buildings.
They are commonly used for steel-framed structures, agricultural buildings, workshops, canopies and other projects where loads are transferred at defined points.
Our pad-foundation work can include:
- Setting out foundation positions
- Excavation to the specified depth
- Formation preparation
- Reinforcement and holding-down-bolt preparation
- Formwork where required
- Concrete placement
- Ground beams or connecting construction where shown on the drawings
Pad dimensions and reinforcement must follow the structural engineer’s design.
Pile Foundations
Piled foundations may be specified where suitable bearing ground is located at greater depth or where site and loading conditions rule out conventional shallow foundations.
Depending on the project, CJ Groundworks can assist with the excavation, access preparation, ground beams, pile caps, drainage and associated concrete work required around a specialist piling package.
Foundation selection should take account of:
- Structural loads
- Ground-investigation findings
- Made ground or weak strata
- Nearby buildings and boundaries
- Trees and soil movement
- Groundwater
- Machinery access
- Noise, vibration and site restrictions
The piling method and technical design should be specified by the project engineer or specialist piling contractor.
Additional Foundation Services
Our foundation packages can also include:
- Reinforcement and steel fixing
- Ground-beam preparation
- Oversite excavation and preparation
- Compacted sub-base installation
- Below-ground drainage
- Service ducts and penetrations
- Damp-proof membrane installation
- Insulation integration
- Concrete oversites and slabs
- Backfilling and preparation
We work from the approved structural and architectural information and coordinate with the appointed engineer, architect, Building Control inspector or warranty provider where required.
The quotation will identify which materials, inspection stages and associated works are included.
/Planning
Foundations for Extensions, New Builds and Outbuildings
We complete foundation groundworks for:
- House extensions
- New-build homes
- Garages and substantial outbuildings
- Garden rooms and modular buildings
- Barn conversions
- Equestrian stables and agricultural buildings
- Workshops and commercial units
- Steel-framed structures
Some clients appoint us for foundation excavation and concrete only. Others require a wider package covering site preparation, drainage, foundations, oversite work and concrete slabs.
Before work begins, we review the supplied drawings, access, proposed levels, concrete volumes, drainage routes and inspection responsibilities. This helps define the work clearly and sequence it around the wider construction programme.
/ Our Mission
Why Choose CJ Groundworks for Building Foundations?
35+ Years of Experience
A long-standing reputation built on expert workmanship.
In-House
Team
No subcontractors; we keep all trades under one roof.
Fully Insured &
Guaranteed
No subcontractors; we keep all trades under one roof.
Compliant &
Certified
All works carried out to UK building regs and environmental standards.
Local
Expertise
Proudly serving Sussex, Surrey & Kent.
/ Our Area
Building Foundation Areas We Cover
CJ Groundworks installs building foundations throughout:
- Cranleigh
- Horsham
- Midhurst
- Petworth
- Pulborough
- All surrounding areas in Sussex, Surrey, and Kent
Request a Foundation Site Visit and Quote
Planning an extension, new home, outbuilding or commercial project?
Call CJ Groundworks on 07881 757877 or send us the site postcode, construction drawings and a brief description of the proposed work.
We will review the available information, discuss access and timescales, arrange a site visit where required and provide a clear quotation for the agreed foundation groundworks.
Where foundation design or further ground investigation is required, we will identify this before the work begins.
/ FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the ground conditions, building load, and site layout. For example:
- Use strip foundations on firm soil for extensions
- Choose raft foundations for weaker soils
- Go with pile foundations for difficult or deep strata We can guide you during your planning phase.
Depth depends on soil type and nearby structures, but most domestic foundations are 1–1.5m deep. We follow Building Control guidance for minimum safe depths and frost protection.
A small project might take 3–5 days. Larger or more complex foundation systems (e.g. piled or reinforced rafts) can take longer. We provide timelines upfront.
Yes — we manage everything in-house, from the first dig to final compaction. You won’t need to hire separate contractors for ground prep or concrete delivery.
Yes. All our foundation work is covered by a 2-year workmanship guarantee and complies with local authority and NHBC standards.
Have a look at all the services we offer here at CJ Groundworks.
/Our Contact
Ready to break ground?
Get in touch with CJ Groundworks today to discuss your project and receive a free, no-obligation quotation. Our team is here to answer your questions and provide expert advice tailored to your needs.
Address
CJ Groundworks, Lower Batchelors, Emms Lane, Barns Green, West Sussex, RH13 0QH.
/Our Testimonials
What clients say about us
/ From the blog
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