Foundation design
Strip, trench-fill, pad, raft or piled foundations designed for the ground conditions and loads, with calculations where required.
Below-Ground & Groundworks
Groundworks London
EMA Structures designs and builds groundworks across London. We engineer the foundations, retaining structures and drainage, and carry out the works with our own construction team, from trial pits and site preparation through to foundations, basements and underpinning. Where you already have a contractor, we can provide the design and coordinate them instead.
Overview
How we design and build groundworks
Groundworks set the foundation for everything that follows, and getting them right depends on sound engineering and careful execution. EMA Structures provides both: we design the foundations, retaining structures and drainage to suit the ground conditions, and our own construction team carries out the below-ground works, so the design and the delivery are joined up rather than split between separate firms. Where a contractor is already appointed, we can instead provide the design and coordinate the works on site. If your project includes a garden or boundary wall, our guide to when a retaining wall needs a structural engineer covers the thresholds and warning signs.
We design and carry out groundworks on extensions, new builds, basements and commercial projects, so the below-ground works are engineered, built and checked to the right standard by one team.
What We Provide
What our groundworks service covers
From foundation design to finished works, delivered under one roof.
Drainage
Surface and foul drainage designed and installed by our team as part of the below-ground works.
Retaining structures
Reinforced retaining walls and earth-retaining structures designed to resist soil and groundwater pressure.
Site preparation
Excavation, levels and ground preparation carried out by our own construction team to ready the site.
Construction by our team
Our own construction team carries out the foundations, drainage, basement and underpinning works we design.
Inspection
Inspections at key stages, including foundation excavations before pouring, so works follow the design.
Process
How we deliver a groundworks package
A clear, staged route from assessment through to built and inspected works.
1
Assessment
Review the site, ground conditions and project to confirm the groundworks approach.
2
Design & calculations
Design foundations, retaining structures and drainage with structural calculations where needed.
3
Building Regulations
Prepare drawings and calculations and support the Building Control submission for approval.
4
Construction
Our construction team carries out the groundworks, or we coordinate your contractor where one is appointed.
5
Inspection
Inspect the works at key stages so the groundworks follow the engineering design.
Who This Is For
Who we support on groundworks
Engineering support tailored to those delivering residential and commercial projects.
- Developers
- Contractors
- Homeowners
- Architects
- Businesses
Engineering-Led
A sound base for the whole build
Groundworks are easier to get right with engineering and construction under one roof. EMA Structures designs the foundations and retaining structures, advises on drainage and site preparation, and carries out the works with our own construction team, then inspects them so the rest of the project is built on a properly engineered base.
- Foundation design
- Drainage
- Retaining structures
- Site preparation
- Construction by our team
- Inspection
Related Services
Connected structural services
Basement Construction London
Structural design and engineering support throughout basement construction.
Learn moreUnderpinning London
Foundation deepening and stabilisation in safe, sequenced bays.
Learn moreConstruction Support
Site inspections, contractor coordination and construction-stage support.
Learn moreStructural Engineer London
Calculations, drawings and Building Regulations support.
Learn moreFAQs
Groundworks questions
Groundworks with EMA Structures, key facts:
- Engineering input: foundation and retaining structure design suited to the ground conditions, plus drainage and site preparation advice.
- Delivery: our own construction team carries out the groundworks, with engineer inspection at key stages; design-only support with contractor coordination is also available.
- Projects: extensions, new builds, basements and commercial projects.
- Coverage: London and Greater London.
What do groundworks include?
Groundworks cover the below-ground and ground-level works that prepare a site and form the structure's base. This typically includes site preparation and excavation, foundations, drainage, retaining structures, ground slabs and service runs. EMA Structures both designs these works and, with our own construction team, carries them out, from foundation design through to building the foundations, drainage and below-ground works.
Do you design foundations?
Yes. Foundation design is a core part of our groundworks support. We assess the ground conditions and loads and design the appropriate foundation solution, such as strip, trench-fill, pad, raft or piled foundations, with structural calculations for Building Control where required.
Do you carry out the groundworks, or only design them?
Both. EMA Structures has an in-house construction team, so we can design the groundworks and build them, giving you design and delivery under one roof. Where you already have a groundworks contractor, we can instead provide the design and coordinate them, with clear drawings, specifications and query support on site.
Do you inspect groundworks?
Yes. We can inspect groundworks at key stages, such as foundation excavations before concrete is poured and retaining structures during construction, so the works follow the engineering design and any issues with the ground are identified early.
Planning groundworks in London?
Send us your plans, site information or groundworks queries and we will advise the right engineering route for your project.