The groundworkers are the first trade on site. They are also there at various stages throughout the build and they are, almost, the last trade to leave site. As a result, a list of the typical tasks is considerably longer than that for any other trade:
Create an entry and clear site of vegetation
Form a hardstanding for entry and storage of materials
Strip topsoil and stack for re-use
Set out the building or attend the surveyor in doing so
Excavate foundation trenches and "crumb out" the bottoms
Load spoil onto dumpers for stacking and eventual re-use or load onto lorries for off-site disposal
Position level pegs for the foundation concrete levels and pour and lay concrete
Lay foundation blockwork to dampproof course level, including all necessary cranked ventilation, drainage exit lintels and service sleeving, unless this is carried out by the bricklayers
Level out oversize and backfill trenches outside the building
Fill the foundation cavities with lean-mix concrete

If it is proposed to have a solid oversize, then the groundworker will:
Fill and consolidate oversize with suitable hardcore or aggregate
Sand blind
Lay dampproof membranes
Position below slab insulation
Cut, lay and wire up reinforcement mesh
Pour and lay oversize concrete
If it is proposed to have a beam and block oversite, then the groundworker will:
Position floor beams on the DPC
Position infill blocks
Brush grout infill blocks
Drains and services:
Excavate trenches for foul and surface water drains
Lay drainage runs on pea shingle beds
Bring any upstands into the oversite
Haunch over all drainage runs with pea shingle
Build or assemble all manholes
Connect foul drainage to the foul sewer, if this is on site. Otherwise take to the boundary for connection to the main sewer by others
If there is no mains drainage, install septic tank and drainage field or sewerage treatment plant and connect foul drainage
Lay any necessary weeper drainage or connect outflow to agreed position
Construct all soakaways and connect to surface water drainage
Backfill all drainage trenches
Excavate all service trenches on site and backfilll when required
Carry out any agreed soft and hard landscaping
Lay driveways, paths and patios to agreed specifications
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