There is one vital first step that plays out in any construction project — whether it’s a housing development or a commercial project, and that’s the selection of the right groundworks company if you’ve been Googling “groundworks companies near me,” you probably looking to hire experts for the job who can lay the groundworks & civil engineering – both literally and figuratively – for your project’s successful completion.
We are GWD Services, and are pleased to be one of the most experienced and reliable groundworks companies in London and the South East – delivering site preparation to specific operational requirements, for clients throughout Central and Greater London and the surrounding Counties.
What Do Groundworks Companies Do?
Groundworks is the name given to the building works that must occur before the structure of a building can be put up. This includes:
- Site clearance and preparation
- Bulk Excavation, earthworks, cut and fill
- Strip foundations, piling and ground beams
- Drainage and utility installations
- Road and pavement formation
- Slabs and hard landscaping
Even the finest architectural plans can be undone without professional groundworks due to inadequate ground formation and compaction, poorly installed drainage, or foundation instability, which is why it is important to work with a reputable company such as GWD Services.
Why Choose GWD Services for your Groundworks & Civils?
Decades of Expertise
With a construction heritage spanning since 1976 and now a third-generation family business, GWD Services has over 50 years of combined experience in the UK construction industry. The company was founded with a new flexible perspective, lean operational focus, inventive problem solving, and cross-disciplinary thinking.
Groundwork and Civil Engineering Specialist
From small, tight brownfield sites in Central London to large greenfield sites in the South East of England, GWD Services can help with all of your residential construction services, groundworks, and civil engineering needs. Our staff knows how to work most efficiently and effectively in everyone’s neighborhoods, as well as in live or occupied premises.

End-to-End Capability
We don’t just do groundworks. We provide:
- RC Basements & RC Frames
- Demolition & Structural Alterations
- Shell & Core Construction
Clients can build with one partner from the beginning, reducing time lags, spending less money, and increasing collaboration from start to finish.
Quality, Safety, and Budget Management
We are one of the small few groundworks contractors in London within our industry that are still able to bring these projects in on time, on budget, and not lose sight of Safety & Quality of the finished product.
Who do We Work With?
We regularly collaborate with:
- Land and property owners
- Developers
- Principal contractors
- Architects and professional teams
- Local authorities and businesses
Whether working for you as subcontractors or as principal contractors, we are adaptable and considerate in our attitude, which enables us to provide the right solutions for you.
Smarter Tendering = Better Value
Our innovative approach to our tendering process (Open Book, negotiated tenders) has led to a contract win rate of more than 75%. This process simplifies our business and lowers overheads, and our senior team can further concentrate on achieving a great result rather than consumingtooo much time athe t tender stage.
Foundations: Why they’re the Guts of Every Build
Groundworks are the crucial preliminary phase to all building projects, laying the foundations in both a practical and structural sense, including site clearance, bulk excavation, cut and fill, foundations, drainage, roads, sewers, services, and such. Apart from that, regardless of how well thought-out the design of a project might be, it can eventually face expensive delays or structural problems if there has not been professional ground preparation. This is where finding a reputable local groundworks company is essential, particularly in London, with its restricted space and complex sites.
Trust the Local, Skilled Staff at GWD Services
GWD Services provides everything from bulk excavation to drainage (and from foundations to full site prep), all with proven results. We have very low overheads, we are very smart with our tendering processes, and we have a very hands-on leadership team that stays close to every project. When you’re searching for “Groundworks companies near me, you’re not just looking for the closest company—you’re looking for specialists who will take into consideration your project-specific challenges and supply quality, long-term solutions. This is exactly what we can provide at GWD Services.

Looking for a Dependable Groundworks Company?
No matter if you need the construction of a new development, a commercial complex, or an advanced infrastructure project, GWD Services is the groundworks and construction partner you can rely on.
FAQs
What do groundworks companies do?
Groundworks & Civil Engineering refer to the essential site work carried out before any construction begins. This primarily includes bulk excavation, foundations, drainage, installation of services, concrete slabs, hard landscaping, roads, and footpaths. These foundational tasks are crucial as they prepare the site for the main construction activities to follow.
How to select the best groundworks company near me?
Find experience, safety record, number of projects TSS, and good local knowledge — like GWD Services in London and the Home Counties.
How long do groundworks usually take?
Some factors that can affect the timing would be the size of the project and conditions on site, but experienced teams like GWD Services plan to be on schedule and to budget.
Are GWD Services working in both commercial and domestic ground works?
Absolutely. We do everything from single-home builds to larger commercial and residential developments.
