--- title: "Foundations Brighton | Foundation Construction Specialists | Masters Group" description: "Professional foundation construction in Brighton & East Sussex. Strip foundations, trench fill, and piled foundations for extensions, new builds, and structural alterations. 30+ years experience." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Service", "name": "Foundation Construction Service", "description": "Professional foundation construction services in Brighton and East Sussex, including strip foundations, trench fill, piled foundations, and ground investigation.", "provider": { "@type": "LocalBusiness", "name": "Masters Group", "telephone": "01273110607", "url": "https://mastersgroup.uk", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "17 Colebrook Road", "addressLocality": "Brighton", "postalCode": "BN1 5JH", "addressCountry": "GB" } }, "areaServed": [ { "@type": "City", "name": "Brighton" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Worthing" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Eastbourne" }, { "@type": "City", "name": "Horsham" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "How deep do foundations need to be in Brighton?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Minimum depth is 450mm below ground level, but in practice most foundations in Brighton are 900mm–1200mm deep to account for clay shrinkage and tree root activity. Your structural engineer will specify the exact depth based on site conditions." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much do foundations cost?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Strip foundations typically cost £150–£250 per linear metre. Trench fill is £200–£350 per linear metre. Piled foundations cost £3,000–£8,000 per pile plus ground beams. We provide fixed-price quotes after site investigation." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long does foundation construction take?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A typical extension foundation takes 3–5 days for excavation and concrete pour. Curing time before loading depends on specification but is typically 3–7 days. Piled foundations take longer depending on the number of piles required." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do foundations need building control approval?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. All foundation work requires building control inspection before you can proceed with construction above ground. We manage this process through our LABC partnership." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What type of foundation do I need for my extension?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "This depends on ground conditions, the size and type of extension, and proximity to trees and drains. We assess these factors during the site survey and recommend the most appropriate and cost-effective solution." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can you work in restricted access areas?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Many Brighton properties have limited rear access. We use mini-diggers, hand excavation, and pump-delivered concrete to work effectively in confined spaces." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What areas do you cover?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "We cover Brighton, Hove, Worthing, Eastbourne, Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, Horsham, and the wider East Sussex area." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://mastersgroup.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Services", "item": "https://mastersgroup.uk/#services" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Foundation Construction Service" } ] } ] --- 17 Colebrook Road, Brighton, BN1 5JH info@mastersgroup.uk [![Masters Group](/assets/masters-logo-Dn445ZsE.png) MASTERS GROUP ](/) [Home](/)[About](/about) Services Areas [Our Work](/our-work)[Warranty](/warranty)[Reviews](/reviews)[Blog](/blog)[Contact](/contact) [01273 110607](tel:01273110607)[Get Estimate](/contact) ![Foundation Construction Service services by Masters Group Brighton](/assets/foundations-DibUBCQ2.jpg) - [Home](/) - [Services](/#services) - Foundation Construction Service Masters Group # Professional Foundation Construction Specialists in Brighton & East Sussex Every successful building project starts below ground. Masters Group delivers engineered foundation solutions for extensions, new builds, and structural alterations — designed for Brighton's specific ground conditions and built to last generations. [Request Free Estimate](/contact) [01273 110607](tel:01273110607) 30+ years experience · Hundreds of foundations completed · Fully insured · LABC approved 30+ Years Foundation experience LABC Approved Building control partnership Fully Insured Comprehensive liability cover Structural Engineers In-house design team ## What Foundation Services Do We Provide? Foundation construction is the most critical stage of any building project. The type, depth, and specification of your foundations determine the structural integrity of everything built above. Getting foundations wrong creates problems that are extraordinarily expensive to fix after the fact. We provide strip foundations, trench fill foundations, piled foundations, and raft foundations for projects across Brighton and East Sussex. Each type is selected based on ground conditions, building loading, and the specific requirements of your project. Brighton's geology varies significantly across the city — from chalk bedrock in the Downs to clay and made ground in valley areas. This variation means foundation design must be site-specific. A foundation solution that works in Hove may be entirely wrong for a site in Patcham. Masters Group works with structural engineers to design foundations that match your site conditions. We handle trial holes, ground investigation, foundation construction, and building control inspection as a coordinated process. ### Related Services - [Raft Foundations](/services/raft-foundations) - [New Builds](/services/new-builds) - [Retaining Walls](/services/retaining-walls) - [RSJ / Steel Beam Installation](/services/rsj-steel-beam) ### Areas We Serve - [Brighton](/areas/brighton) - [Worthing](/areas/worthing) - [Eastbourne](/areas/eastbourne) - [Horsham](/areas/horsham) ## What Happens When Foundations Are Wrong? Foundation failure is the most expensive building defect to remediate. When foundations are undersized, incorrectly specified, or poorly constructed, the consequences include cracking, subsidence, and structural movement that can render a property unsafe. Underpinning a failed foundation typically costs £10,000–£50,000 depending on the extent of the problem. In severe cases, buildings must be partially demolished to access and replace inadequate foundations. This is avoidable with correct initial design and construction. Common mistakes include insufficient depth (particularly on clay soils that shrink and swell), inadequate width for the load being carried, and failure to account for nearby trees whose roots can cause significant ground movement. Brighton's mix of mature trees and clay subsoils makes these issues particularly relevant. Building control will not sign off foundations that do not meet design specifications. If you proceed with superstructure construction before foundation approval, you risk having to expose and potentially replace foundations at enormous cost and delay. Our Process ## How We Deliver Every Project 1 ### Site Assessment Ground investigation including trial holes to establish soil type, bearing capacity, water table level, and proximity to trees or drains. 2 ### Foundation Design Structural engineers design foundations matched to ground conditions and building loads. Full calculations and drawings produced. 3 ### Excavation Controlled excavation to design depth with proper disposal of spoil. Temporary support where needed adjacent to existing structures. 4 ### Construction Foundation construction to specification — concrete pours, reinforcement placement, and compaction as required by the design. 5 ### Building Control Inspection LABC inspection of foundations before any backfill or superstructure work. Documented approval at each stage. 6 ### Handover to Next Phase Clean, inspected, and approved foundations ready for the next construction stage. Full documentation provided. ## Why This Matters for Your Project ### Engineered Precision Every foundation designed by qualified structural engineers — not estimated by builders. Calculations match your specific site conditions. ### Ground Condition Expertise 30+ years working with Brighton's varied geology — chalk, clay, sand, and made ground. We know what works where. ### Building Control Partnership Long-standing relationship with LABC ensures smooth inspections and timely approvals. ### Cost Certainty Fixed-price quotes based on proper ground investigation. No surprise costs from unexpected ground conditions — we identify risks before quoting. ### Programme Reliability Foundation delays cascade through every subsequent stage. Our experienced teams deliver foundations on schedule. ### Complete Documentation Full structural calculations, building control certificates, and as-built records for your project file. ## Foundation Types: Materials, Methods & When Each Applies Strip foundations are the most common type for domestic construction in Brighton. They consist of a continuous strip of concrete beneath load-bearing walls, typically 600mm wide and at least 450mm deep. In stable ground with good bearing capacity, strip foundations provide a cost-effective solution for extensions and single-storey structures. Trench fill foundations use a narrower trench filled with concrete to a greater depth. This method is faster than strip foundations and is particularly effective in clay soils where the foundation must extend below the zone of seasonal moisture variation — typically 900mm to 1200mm in Brighton's climate. Piled foundations are used where ground conditions are poor or where building loads are high. Mini-piles (typically 150–300mm diameter) are driven or bored to reach stable bearing strata, then connected by a reinforced ground beam. This solution is common for sites with made ground, high water tables, or proximity to mature trees. Raft foundations distribute building loads across the entire footprint of the structure. They are used where ground bearing capacity is low or variable, or where differential settlement would be a concern. We cover raft foundations in detail on our dedicated Raft Foundations page. Concrete specification varies by application. Standard domestic foundations use C25 or C30 concrete. Where sulphate attack is a concern (common in Brighton's clay soils), sulphate-resisting concrete or increased cement content is specified. Reinforcement is designed by structural engineers where required. Foundation costs in Brighton typically range from £150–£250 per linear metre for strip foundations, £200–£350 per linear metre for trench fill, and £3,000–£8,000 per pile for mini-piled solutions. The variation depends on depth, ground conditions, access, and spoil disposal requirements. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How deep do foundations need to be in Brighton? ### How much do foundations cost? ### How long does foundation construction take? ### Do foundations need building control approval? ### What type of foundation do I need for my extension? ### Can you work in restricted access areas? ### What areas do you cover? ![Professional construction project — Masters Group building contractors](/assets/cta-bg-CbvIn_eS.jpg) ## Need Foundations Built Right? Get a free, no-obligation estimate for your foundation project. Engineered design, building control approval, and fixed-price delivery. [Request Free Estimate](/contact) [01273 110607](tel:01273110607) [Home](/) · [Contact](/contact) ![Checkatrade 5-star rated building contractors](/assets/checkatrade-RMX7Lkai.webp)![Federation of Master Builders member](/assets/fmb-fkL6zBWX.png)![NICEIC Approved Contractor for electrical work](/assets/niceic-ByVGzec0.png)![Gas Safe Register certified contractor](/assets/gas-safe-8KDBuy0S.png) ### Masters Group Brighton's trusted building contractors. Over 30 years of experience delivering exceptional construction projects across East Sussex. [01273 110607](tel:01273110607) [info@mastersgroup.uk](mailto:info@mastersgroup.uk) 17 Colebrook Road, Brighton, BN1 5JH ### Services - [Kitchen Diners](/services/kitchen-diners) - [New Builds](/services/new-builds) - [Extensions](/services/extensions) - [House Renovations](/services/house-renovations) - [Loft Conversions](/services/loft-conversions) - [Kitchen Renovations](/services/kitchen-renovations) - [Bathroom Renovations](/services/bathroom-renovations) - [Garage Conversions](/services/garage-conversions) - [Foundations](/services/foundations) - [RSJ / Steel Beam](/services/rsj-steel-beam) - [Rendering & Plastering](/services/rendering-plastering) - [Decking & Patios](/services/decking-patios) - [Retaining Walls](/services/retaining-walls) - [Commercial](/services/commercial) - [Waste & Demolition](/services/waste-demolition) - [Project Management](/services/project-management) ### Areas We Serve - [Builders in East Sussex](/areas/east-sussex) - [Builders in Brighton](/areas/brighton) - [Builders in Worthing](/areas/worthing) - [Builders in Eastbourne](/areas/eastbourne) - [Builders in Littlehampton](/areas/littlehampton) - [Builders in Bognor Regis](/areas/bognor-regis) - [Builders in Burgess Hill](/areas/burgess-hill) - [Builders in Haywards Heath](/areas/haywards-heath) - [Builders in Horsham](/areas/horsham) ### Quick Links - [About Us](/about) - [Our Work](/our-work) - [Warranty](/warranty) - [Reviews](/reviews) - [Blog](/blog) - [All Services](/services) - [Areas We Serve](/areas) - [Contact](/contact) © 2026 Masters Group. 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