Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about our services, coverage, quotations, technical capabilities, project delivery and compliance across Yorkshire and the North of England.
Information for clients, contractors and project teams
Durkan & Sons Ltd delivers coordinated groundworks and civil engineering services for residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects.
Use the four sections to find the information you need. For advice on a specific scheme, send our estimating team the project location, drawings, scope and required programme.
Starting the conversation
What we deliver, where we work and the information that helps us assess and price a groundworks package properly.
1. What groundworks and civil engineering services do you offer?
Durkan & Sons Ltd provides complete groundworks and civil engineering packages for residential, commercial and infrastructure projects.
Our core services include:
- Site clearance and enabling works
- Bulk excavation and earthworks
- Foundations and reinforced concrete
- Foul and surface water drainage
- Sewer connections and infrastructure
- Roads, footpaths, kerbing and external works
- Utility ducting and service installations
- Attenuation and flow-control systems
- Retaining structures and concrete slabs
- Muckaway and aggregate movements
- Operated plant and construction transport
Visit our services page for further information.
2. Which areas do you cover?
We regularly undertake projects throughout Yorkshire and the North of England, including:
- Leeds
- Wakefield
- Bradford
- York
- Harrogate
- Sheffield
- Doncaster
- Barnsley
- Rotherham
- Huddersfield
- Hull
- Manchester
- Liverpool
- Newcastle and the North East
Projects outside these areas are considered against their scope, value, programme and operational requirements.
3. What types of projects do you work on?
We deliver across a broad range of sectors:
- Residential housing
- Commercial and industrial developments
- Schools and education facilities
- Healthcare projects
- Sports and leisure facilities
- Retail developments
- Utilities and infrastructure
- Highway and public-realm works
- Refurbishment and redevelopment
View examples on our completed projects page.
4. Do you work as a groundworks subcontractor?
Yes. We regularly operate as a specialist groundworks and civil engineering subcontractor for developers, principal contractors and construction companies.
We can deliver individual work packages or a complete solution covering labour, plant, supervision, materials, temporary-works coordination and site logistics.
5. Can you provide a complete groundworks package?
Yes. Depending on the project, we can manage the package from site setup and excavation through to drainage, foundations, roads, external works and completion.
Our team can coordinate:
- Labour and supervision
- Operated plant
- Material procurement
- Muckaway and waste documentation
- Concrete and reinforcement
- Drainage products
- Testing, inspections and project records
6. Can you price groundworks from construction drawings?
Yes. Our estimating team can review drawings, specifications, bills of quantities, schedules and tender documents.
For an accurate quotation, please provide:
- Project and site location
- Construction drawings
- Drainage and external-works drawings
- Specifications and relevant details
- Bill of quantities, where available
- Anticipated start date
- Required programme
- Access and working restrictions
Email tender information to [email protected].
7. How much do groundworks cost?
There is no credible flat rate for groundworks. Cost depends on ground conditions, excavation depths, disposal requirements, drainage design, material specifications, access restrictions, temporary works and programme.
A reliable quotation requires the relevant drawings and site information. Better information at enquiry stage reduces assumptions and improves pricing accuracy.
8. How quickly can you provide a quotation?
Quotation time depends on the size and complexity of the work package and the quality of the information supplied.
Smaller enquiries may be reviewed quickly. Major packages involving detailed take-offs, supplier quotations, temporary works and programme assessment require longer. Issue tender documents as early as possible and state the required return date clearly.
9. What are your typical project lead times?
Lead times depend on workload, project size, location, plant requirements, material availability and the proposed start date.
Early engagement gives us more opportunity to assess the programme, secure resources and identify procurement or access risks. Contact us to discuss current availability.
What we build and install
Drainage, utilities, concrete, materials, plant and earthmoving support delivered as part of coordinated civil engineering packages.
10. Do you undertake drainage and sewer installation?
Yes. Drainage and sewer installation is a core part of our civil engineering service.
- Foul and surface water drainage
- Manholes and inspection chambers
- Concrete and plastic pipe systems
- Attenuation tanks
- Flow-control chambers
- Headwalls and outfalls
- Channel and land drainage
- Pumping-station associated works
11. Do you carry out sewer connections?
Yes, subject to design approval, access, permits and the requirements of the relevant water authority.
Connection works may require:
- Approved drainage drawings
- Section 106 approval
- Road-opening permits
- Traffic management
- Excavation support or temporary works
- Water-authority inspections
- Testing and completion records
Send the approved design and connection details to our estimating team.
12. Do you install attenuation and sustainable drainage systems?
Yes. We install attenuation and surface-water management systems in accordance with the approved design and manufacturers’ requirements.
- Crate attenuation systems
- Large-diameter pipe storage
- Precast concrete attenuation tanks
- Flow-control devices
- Swales and filter drains
- Permeable-paving drainage
- Associated manholes and outfalls
13. Do you install utility ducting and service infrastructure?
Yes. We install ducting, chambers and associated civils for electrical, communications, broadband, water and other site services.
- Single and multi-way duct routes
- Draw pits and service chambers
- Road and footpath crossings
- Concrete surrounds
- Marker tape and protection systems
- Service trenches
- Reinstatement works
- Trenchless duct installations where appropriate
14. Do you undertake foundations and reinforced concrete works?
Yes. We construct foundation and concrete elements for residential, commercial and infrastructure projects.
- Strip and trench-fill foundations
- Pad foundations
- Ground beams
- Reinforced concrete slabs
- Equipment and service plinths
- Retaining walls
- Concrete bases and external paving
- Formwork and reinforcement installation
15. Do you supply groundworks materials?
Materials are normally supplied as part of our contracted groundworks and civil engineering packages.
- Drainage pipes and fittings
- Manholes and inspection chambers
- Precast concrete products
- Aggregates and sub-base materials
- Ready-mixed concrete
- Reinforcement and mesh
- Kerbs, edgings and paving
- Ducting and utility chambers
- Geotextiles and geogrids
We source compliant products from established manufacturers, merchants and specialist suppliers.
16. Do you provide plant and excavator hire?
We operate a substantial fleet of plant, vehicles and attachments to support our contracted groundworks and civil engineering operations.
- Micro, mini and larger excavators
- Forward and swivel dumpers
- Telehandlers
- Ride-on and trench rollers
- Compaction equipment
- Specialist excavation and handling attachments
Plant is generally supplied with trained operators as part of our contracted works. Standalone hire is subject to location, availability and operational requirements.
17. Do you provide grab-wagon and muckaway services?
We provide muckaway, aggregate delivery and grab-wagon support for our own groundworks and civil engineering operations.
- Removal of excavated material
- Site-clearance waste removal
- Aggregate deliveries
- Grab loading where access allows
- Waste-transfer documentation
- Disposal at authorised facilities
Our transport operations are subject to our Operator Licence conditions. We do not advertise a general third-party haulage-only service.
18. Can you remove contaminated soil or hazardous waste?
Potentially contaminated or hazardous material must be assessed and correctly classified before removal.
We require suitable information such as soil-test results, waste classification and disposal requirements. Transport and disposal must use the correct waste codes, documentation, carriers and authorised facilities. Excavated material is not assumed to be clean or inert without supporting information.
Working safely and responsibly
Insurance, competence, live environments, highways, waste controls and the information needed to mobilise a project properly.
19. Are you fully insured?
Yes. Durkan & Sons Ltd maintains appropriate insurance for its construction operations.
Current documents can be provided for tender submissions, prequalification checks, project files and client compliance requirements. Tell us if a project requires specific limits or endorsements.
20. What health and safety standards do you follow?
Health and safety is built into the planning and delivery of our work.
- Site-specific risk assessments and method statements
- Construction-phase planning and coordination
- Permit-to-dig procedures
- Utility detection and safe excavation
- Site inspections and audits
- Toolbox talks and briefings
- Plant inspection and maintenance
- LOLER and PUWER compliance
- Competency checks and operator training
- Incident reporting and continuous improvement
Read more on our Health & Safety page.
21. What qualifications do your plant operators hold?
Operators are selected against the equipment, activity and project requirements. Relevant competencies may include CPCS, NPORS, CSCS and task-specific training.
Competency records can be supplied during mobilisation and compliance checks.
22. Can you work on live and operational sites?
Yes. We have experience in environments where access, public safety, deliveries and disruption must be tightly controlled.
- Sports venues
- Schools
- Healthcare facilities
- Commercial premises
- Residential developments
- Industrial sites
Works are planned around the client’s programme, access restrictions, permits and site-specific safety requirements.
23. Do you undertake enabling works?
Yes. We provide enabling works to prepare sites for the principal construction phase.
- Site clearance
- Reduced-level excavation
- Temporary access roads
- Construction compounds
- Drainage diversions
- Utility ducting
- Concrete bases and temporary works
- Service investigations
- Hardstanding and working platforms
24. Do you carry out roads, kerbing and external works?
Yes. Our external-works capabilities include:
- Road construction
- Sub-base installation
- Kerbs and edgings
- Footpaths
- Block and concrete paving
- Car parks
- Drainage channels
- Street-furniture foundations
- Associated reinstatement
25. Do you undertake Section 278 highway works?
We can undertake highway and infrastructure works where the required approvals, designs, permits, traffic-management arrangements and client responsibilities are in place.
Section 278 requirements vary between highway authorities and projects. Provide the approved drawings, specification, legal-agreement status and proposed programme when requesting a quotation.
26. Do you offer emergency groundworks support?
Urgent support is considered against the nature of the work, location, safety requirements and availability of labour and plant.
For urgent enquiries during office hours, call 0113 252 8044. Existing clients should also contact their assigned Contracts Manager or Site Manager.
27. What information do you need before starting on site?
Mobilisation requirements vary, but normally include:
- Approved construction drawings
- Current specifications
- Site-investigation information
- Utility records
- Programme and phasing details
- Access and delivery arrangements
- Principal-contractor requirements
- Health and safety documentation
- Design-responsibility information
- Permit and inspection requirements
Missing or unapproved information can delay mobilisation and increase commercial risk.
28. What are your Operator Licence restrictions?
Durkan & Sons Ltd operates under Restricted Operator Licence OB1137127.
This permits us to transport our own goods, machinery, materials and waste in connection with our business. It does not permit a general haulage service carrying goods for other businesses. Our wagons primarily support our own groundworks and civil engineering contracts.
29. Are you a registered waste carrier?
Yes. Durkan & Sons Ltd is registered with the Environment Agency as an Upper Tier Carrier, Broker and Dealer.
- Registration: CBDU266459
- Type: Upper Tier Carrier, Broker and Dealer
- Current period: 23 October 2024 to 4 December 2027
Waste movements remain subject to correct classification, authorised disposal arrangements and appropriate documentation.
Details for your enquiry
Registered business information and the quickest route for drawings, bills of quantities and tender documents.
30. What are your registered company details?
- Company: Durkan & Sons Ltd
- Registration number: 07339255
- Registered office: The Grove, Roall Lane, Kellington, North Yorkshire, DN14 0NY
- Telephone: 0113 252 8044
- Estimating: [email protected]
Relevant company, insurance, waste and compliance documents are available on request.
31. How do I request a groundworks quotation?
Call 0113 252 8044, email [email protected] or use our project enquiry form.
Include the project name, location, proposed start date, scope, relevant drawings and required quotation return date.
Send enough information for a useful response
The clearer the tender information, the fewer assumptions we need to make. Drawings, scope, programme and site constraints allow our team to assess the work properly.
Still need an answer about your project?
Send our estimating team the scope, drawings and programme for an initial review.
