Groundwork Leads: How to Spot Jobs Before Your Competitors Do

22/08/2025

If you’re a groundworker, the biggest wins come from getting in early—before a builder has locked in their team. Most opportunities show up first in council planning data. With BuildAlert, you can scan local applications, open the drawings, and identify foundations, drainage and access packages in minutes. Then send a £2 branded letterwhile the homeowner or main contractor is still shortlisting.

Your primary target is simple: projects that require excavation, footings, drainage or access works. That includes new dwellings, large extensions, basements, driveways, dropped kerbs, garden rooms, retaining walls and service trenches. These jobs leave a clear paper trail you can filter for and act on quickly.

Example: Filter planning applications for foundations, drainage (SuDS) and new access to surface early groundwork opportunities

Sort the Right Application Types First

In BuildAlert, prioritise categories that most often include groundworks. You can sort on:

• Extensions – rear, side, wrap-around; typically need footings, oversites and drainage alterations.

• New builds – full foundation package, drainage, utilities and externals.

• Garden rooms – pads/strips, service trenches, permeable bases where required.

• Dropped kerbs (vehicular access) – crossovers, kerbing, footway reinstatement and traffic management.

• Basements & retaining walls – deeper excavations, shoring and waterproofing interfaces.

Why Planning Applications = Early Groundwork Leads

Planning applications are published with site drawings and statements. Even outline approvals and prior approvals often hint at foundation and access requirements. You’re looking for:

• New builds & large extensions – excavations, footings, oversites and drainage connections.

• Basements & retaining structures – specialist digs, waterproofing details and temporary works access.

• Dropped kerbs / new access – crossover construction, sub-base, kerb lines and potential traffic management.

• Driveways & hardstandings – permeable paving, edging, levels, muck-away and compaction.

• Discharge of conditions (drainage) – SuDS strategies, soakaways, attenuation crates and outfalls.

What to Check in the Documents (Fast)

• Site & proposed plans: footprint changes, levels, access routes and driveway extents.

• Drainage plan / SuDS report: soakaway sizes (BRE 365), attenuation crates, permeable build-ups, foul/surface runs.

• Structural notes: strip vs raft foundations, underpinning, retaining wall specs, bearing pressures.

• Construction Method Statement: plant access, spoil stockpiles, haul routes, wheel wash and delivery timings.

• Highways/Vehicle access drawings: crossover details, kerb types, footway reinstatement and TM notes.

• Conditions: drainage verification, tree protection (affects dig method), archaeology (affects programme).

Smart Keyword/Tag Combos

BuildAlert lets you stack application categories and keywords/tags. Multiple selections act as a tighter filter, so you can zero in on groundwork scope without complex operators. Try these practical combos:

• Dropped kerb + driveway works: Select Access/Driveways (or Vehicular Access where available) and add tags/keywords like dropped kerb, crossover, hardstanding, driveway. Open the drawings to confirm kerb type and footway reinstatement notes.

• SuDS-friendly driveways: Use Access/Driveways with keywords permeable, soakaway, attenuation,block paving. Check the drainage/SuDS file for crate sizes and outfalls.

• Foundations for extensions/new homes: Select Extensions and/or New Dwellings. Add keywords like footings,oversite, raft, underpinning. The structural notes will confirm strip vs raft and bearing pressures.

• Basements & retaining: Select Basements (if shown) and add excavation, underpinning, retaining wall,waterproofing. Look for temporary works/access and dewatering allowances.

• Garden rooms with pads/services: Choose Garden Rooms/Outbuildings and add pad, strip, slab,service trench. Confirm power/water duct runs and base build-up.

Tip: If you need an “exclude” effect, keep the category narrow and scan the documents quickly (Design & Access Statement, drainage plan, structural notes). Save effective keyword sets as reusable tags in your account.

Groundworker Filters & Keywords to Use

Set your radius on the home map and add trade tags to catch relevant jobs:

• Foundations: footings, trench fill, raft, oversite, DPC, piling, underpinning.

• Drainage / SuDS: soakaway, attenuation, surface water, foul connection, interceptor, Section 104/106.

• Access / Driveways: crossover, dropped kerb, vehicular access, hardstanding, permeable paving, block paving.

• Basements & retaining: excavation, shoring, waterproofing, king post wall, RC retaining wall.

• Utilities & externals: service trench, ducting, EV charger base, edging, kerbing.

Council Quirks to Watch

• “Dropped kerb” vs “vehicular access” — different wording, same scope.

• Prior Approval for larger home extensions can still need drainage alterations—read the plans.

• Discharge of conditions often signals works are imminent; prioritise these for fast letters.

Once you’ve shortlisted, send a tailored letter with a micro case study. If you also handle externals and drainage, say so. For broader lead flow ideas, see our guide on getting a steady stream of local leads in 2025 or explore BuildAlert Construction Leads.

A Repeatable Workflow for Groundworkers

1. Register for BuildAlert and set your radius by travel time.

2. Choose Extensions, New Dwellings, Garden Rooms and Access/Driveways. Add the keywords above.

3. Open the plans to confirm scope (foundations, drainage, access). Note any Highways approvals needed for crossovers.

4. Send a £2 letter outlining programme, NRSWA cards and insurance limits.

5. Follow up in 3–5 days. Offer a free site visit to check levels, access and muck-away.

Site-Visit Checklist (15 minutes)

• Access width/overhead constraints; turning circle for grab or 7.5t tipper.

• Levels: FFLs, threshold falls, driveway gradient; laser check if possible.

• Soil type & groundwater signs; nearest gully/manhole for connections.

• Services: CAT scan/assumptions for water, gas, electric, BT; proposed duct routes.

• Neighbours/TM: cones, barriers, permits, two-way lights if sight lines are poor.

Pricing: Typical Inclusions & Exclusions

• Inclusions: dig & cart, sub-base supply/lay, compaction, kerbs/edgings, Aco channels, soakaway crate install, reinstatement.

• Exclusions: contaminated spoil, tree root protection measures, utility connection fees, design calcs, road space bookings—priced if required.

Real Example #1: Crossover + Driveway → Full Externals Package

A small groundworks firm spotted a vehicular access (dropped kerb) and hardstanding application. The drawings showed a 9m permeable driveway with surface water to a soakaway. A £2 letter offering “crossover, permeable paving, Aco channels and soakaway install” secured a site visit the same week. The job grew into edging, kerbing and a rear patio—three days of plant and a tidy margin.

Real Example #2: Garden Room Pads to Drainage Upsell

A garden room prior approval included slab details and a trench for electrics only. On the visit, the contractor flagged roof runoff and offered a small soakaway with permeable path as an add-on. The client accepted, turning a one-day pad pour into two days with extras and a better overall result.

Get Started Today

Want consistent, high-quality groundwork leads? Create your BuildAlert account now. Browse local leads on the map, see who uses us and check our pricing. Beat the rush: open the plans, confirm scope, and send your letter first.

Related reading

• Builder lead generation strategies that still work
• How to get a steady stream of local leads in 2025
• Best lead generation services for builders: a practical comparison

FAQs: Groundwork Leads & Early Job Detection

1) What are the best planning signals for groundwork jobs?

Look for applications mentioning foundations, basements, hardstandings, vehicular access (dropped kerb), and drainage strategies. Discharge-of-condition docs referencing SuDS or soakaways are excellent early signals. See the Planning Portal guidance on dropped kerbs.

2) Can I use BuildAlert even if I only want driveways and dropped kerbs?

Yes. Set your radius and filter for access/driveway terms, then open drawings to confirm scope. Our How it works page shows exactly how to shortlist and send a £2 letter to the applicant.

3) Do I need permeable paving for domestic driveways?

Often, yes—runoff management matters. The UK guidance on permeable surfacing explains when planning is needed and why SuDS-friendly solutions are preferred. Build this into your proposal and programme.

4) How should I price small groundwork packages quickly?

Have a standard checklist: access, plant size, muck-away, sub-base thickness, edgings, falls and reinstatement. If the scope is unclear, offer a site-verified fixed price plus a daywork option. For a smooth process, start with our Tradespeople overview and follow the BuildAlert shortlist → site visit → proposal workflow.

5) Do I need extra approvals for crossovers?

Many councils require separate Highways approval for a dropped kerb/crossover and set standards for kerbs, footway reinstatement and TM. Always check your local authority’s process and allow time/costs for permits and inspections. The FMB’s pre-start checklist is a helpful reminder for clients planning externals.