What method of Site Investigation do I need?

If your site requires a soil investigation, it can be confusing what method or type of investigation is required. Without the right investigation method there may be unnecessary delays and disruption to your project.

Your project has unique requirements that require a bespoke approach. From a large industrial site, rural barn, or residential garden – our consultants can advise the best methods of investigation to support your development.

Our proposals are prepared by experienced consultants who are committed to providing you with technically robust reports that are tailored to meet your needs.

The method of Site Investigation we use will be decided by three things:

• The purpose of the information being gathered by the investigation.

• The setting of the site and the geology of the soil underneath.

• The Access on the site.

The Purpose

There are various reasons you may require a Site Investigation. It could be a Phase 2 Investigation to check the soils for contamination, a Geotechnical Investigation to assess the soils for foundation design, Soakage Testing to aid drainage design, or a combination of all those things.

Our dedicated consultants will prepare a bespoke proposal for your requirements.

The right information being gathered in a Site Investigation is essential to ensure our reports deliver actionable assessments. We save you time and money by ensuring we advise the best method of investigation in our proposal.

• For example a small residential development may only require shallow trial pits using a mini digger to check for contamination in the soil.
• A multi-story development may require deep boreholes to be drilled with a Cable Percussion Drilling Rig to check soil strengths to design foundations.

The Setting

When we are preparing your Site Investigation proposal, we will check British Geological (BGS) maps so that we know the general type of soils to expect under your site. This geology information, combined with the reason behind the investigation, allows our consultant to choose the right investigation method.

Just like construction above the surface, you need the right tools for the job. If your site is underlain by softer soils, most site investigation methods are available. However, if your site has stone or gravel soils, it may require a specific stronger machine to drill the appropriate holes.

• A residential development on clay soils may be investigated with a Windowless Sample Drilling Rig.
• A deep soakaway borehole in sandstone may require investigation with a Rotary Drilling Rig.

The Access

The last element that decides your method of site investigation is the access on your site. Every site is different whether it is an existing terraced house, an empty field, or an active industrial estate. The access and space to investigate on your site is considered by our consultants.

We make safety a priority, so when we carry out a site investigation we check for underground services before carrying out any work. This protects the safety of our consultants and saves you costly delays that can happen with damaged services.

• Our consultants may request service plans and advise that dedicated utility clearance be undertaken before we break ground.
• An investigation inside a building can sometimes be undertaken by a dismantlable drilling rig.
• A Windowless Sample drilling rig fits within a standard parking space and can be moved around a site to various positions.

Our Promise

Our consultants will review your site and guide you through the complex process of undertaking a Site Investigation, so you can get your site approved and built.

We are ready to get started.