Spotlight on services: Earthworks

One of the earliest stages in any new development involves clearing the site and preparing the ground for works to begin. A process that we in the groundworks and civil engineering sector commonly refer to as earthworks.

Earthworks are just one of the many groundworks services we offer our clients at Mackoy. Partly because we have the heavy plant needed to pull off such a large-scale and labour intensive job in-house. But also because our groundworks operatives are fully trained in earthworks engineering and have the industry accreditations to back it up (we wouldn’t let them on site if they didn’t).

Earthworks, Muckaway and Cut & Fill

At its most basic definition Earthworks involves the excavation of topsoil and vegetation on a development site. Getting the ground to a point where it’s level and ready for setting out to take place. But it also covers the removal of the excavated earth (known as muckaway) as well as the redistribution of soil to another part of the development site to be repurposed (cut and fill).

Because developments for residential units are typically quite expansive in size (we’re currently on a 120-acre plot for the Highwood Group in North Stoneham Park, Eastleigh) using purpose-built plant is the only way to undertake the earthworks process cost-effectively and time-efficiently. Particularly when you consider that on some sites you’re talking about millions of cubic metres of earth that needs to be excavated and removed. Not a simple shovel and spade job by any stretch.

Experienced earthworks contractor

That’s where an experienced groundworks company can really add value. Getting the earthworks completed quickly, to keep build timescales on track. And to a level that’s up to the quality control standards to satisfy a site inspector. Something we at Mackoy have been doing for the nation’s leading house builders since 2011, in regions including Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire, Sussex and Dorset.

In fact, not only have we had a hand in created Award-Winning developments. We’ve also worked with Award-winning developers too. Helping at every stage of the groundworks process. From CAT site scans, and foundation trench digging to those all-important initial earthworks. Completing our work with efficiency and to the highest SHEQ standards.

Earthworks plant: dumpers, excavators & haulage HGVs

Our earthworks plant includes the latest Hydrema 912F closed-cab dumper trucks, with 180-degree unloading capabilities and fully enclosed dumper cabs. As well as brand new Volvo EC140 excavators with an impressive bucket capacity of up to 1.01m3 and an operating weight of 16,980kg. Both of these powerful excavating tools, sit alongside our Haulage HGVs (for plant and material haulage), rollers, bowsers and roadsweepers. Just a fraction of the 150+ plant we have in our earthworks and groundworks fleet at Mackoy.

As part of our earthworks services, our Mackoy leadership team can help you identify the number of plant and gangs needed to clear your unique project site. As well as the window of time it will take to complete the earthworks stage of your build. Taking into account factors such as the quality of the earth, including the soil makeup, as well as weather conditions, to help us reach our assessments. After all rock-ridden soil, hard clay, or parched compacted earth (that’s dried out in heat and turned hard) all have a bearing on the earthworks schedule. In just the same way that frozen earth in winter does too.

Earthworks Groundworks packages

As an experienced earthworks provider in the South, we’re able to offer earthworks as a standalone service, or as part of a wider groundworks infrastructure package. Our team are all CSCS cardholders with UK HGV (C1) licences to operate our plant on our client’s sites. Plus we have a dedicated in-house SHEQ team who come to site to inspect the work our operatives carry out. Alongside on-site Managers who ensure daily delivery targets are met.

In our seven years to date, we’ve expanded our operations year on year. Becoming one of the leading groundworks and civil engineering contractors in the South of England. Providing earthworks as part of our bespoke groundworks infrastructure packages for some of the UK’s premier housing developers. Including Persimmon in Portchester, Barratt Homes in Whitchurch, the Highwood Group in Hampshire, and Redrow in Osborne Gate, Bracknell. As well as the full infrastructure for roads, schools, houses, and recreational spaces on site too.

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You can find out more about who we are, the services we offer, and some of the past clients we’ve worked with at mackoy.co.uk/news. Or click on one of the below tags to be taken to similar articles relating to our groundworks, earthworks and civil engineering services.

Categories: About Us , Services , Earthworks