Groundworks in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire

Older Kilmarnock properties — particularly the terraces and semis built between the 1920s and 1950s — often have a significant amount of legacy concrete in the garden: old paths, coal bunker bases, and occasionally rubble infill from earlier building work. John removes all of this as part of the groundworks scope. Concrete is broken out and removed from site; rubble that’s been used as loose fill is excavated and taken away. He checks for unexpected rubble at the site survey — if there’s evidence of significant buried material that might affect the scope and price, he flags it before quoting so there are no surprises during the job.

For a garden room or outbuilding on Kilmarnock’s clay ground, a concrete slab of at least 100mm is standard, with 150mm on poorer ground or where the structure is heavier. The slab sits on a compacted sub-base of MOT Type 1, typically 100mm deep, on top of a membrane to prevent moisture migration. Reinforcing mesh is included in the slab for additional strength. The exact specification depends on the size of the building, the ground conditions, and whether building regulations require a specific standard. John establishes the correct specification before pouring — a slab that’s too thin or under-prepared can crack and settle, causing problems with the structure above it.

A typical residential garden clearance in Kilmarnock — clearing vegetation, removing an old shed or coal bunker base, and levelling — takes 1–2 days for an average back garden. Larger plots or sites with significant buried concrete or rubble will take longer. John gives a clear programme at the quotation stage and sticks to it. The main variable is unexpected buried material — if this is a risk based on the property age or history, he’ll flag it and discuss how it would be handled (and priced) before starting. The aim is always to have the site clear, level and ready for the next trade or landscaping phase within the agreed programme.