Geotechnical & Ground Investigation Surveys

Expert Ground Investigation Services & Geotechnical Surveys for Safe, Compliant and Cost-Efficient Development

Technics offers industry-leading geotechnical and geoenvironmental ground investigation surveys, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective construction projects. Our experienced Ground Engineering team combines 35+ years of experience, accredited methodologies, and advanced geotechnical and geoenvironmental site investigations, to help developers, engineers, and landowners mitigate risks due to geology and contamination.

What is a Ground Investigation Survey?

A site and ground investigation survey is the first step before any site construction or development project is undertaken. Our specialist engineers and geologists collect and provide critical information about site conditions, identifying potential risks and factors that can affect any project, including: 

• Geology & Soil Structure. Composition, strength, and stability of the ground.  
• Groundwater Conditions. Water table levels and potential drainage issues. 
• Contamination Risks. Chemical properties of soil and groundwater for environmental safety.  
• Foundation and Excavation Requirements. Ensuring structural integrity and compliance. 

Our ground investigation solutions cover both geotechnical and geoenvironmental factors. These are investigations of the ground, but with different focuses: 

• A geotechnical investigation is primarily concerned with testing the physical properties of the soil to provide recommendations for foundation requirements, excavation stability, drainage and buried concrete design. 
• A geoenvironmental investigation mainly focuses on the chemical properties of the soil or groundwater to assess the risk of harm to human health or the environment. 

Who Needs a Ground Investigation?

A ground investigation is essential for any project where foundations, ground risks, contamination or construction feasibility need to be understood. Typical clients include:

• Contractors and principal designers
• Local authorities and public bodies
• Developers and housebuilders
• Architects, structural and civil engineers
• Planning consultants
• Landowners completing due diligence
• Insurance and warranty providers (including NHBC)

If you are working on an infrastructure project or your project requires planning permission, foundation design, land assessment, or environmental compliance, a ground investigation is usually mandatory before works begin.

Our Ground Investigation Services 

Technics offers a full range of geotechnical site and ground investigation services tailored to fit the specific needs of your project. Our process follows a structured approach, ensuring that every stage provides valuable insights into the ground conditions, geotechnical risks, and contamination concerns.  

Our ground investigation contractors provide the following geotechnical and ground surveys: 

Desktop Study & Preliminary Investigation

The first stage of our ground investigation is a desktop study, which provides an initial assessment of site conditions through desk-based research. This cost-effective analysis, along with our wealth of experience, leverages historical records, geological maps, environmental data, and publicly available information. This can be used to: 

• Determine ground and groundwater conditions. 
• Identify historical land use and potential contamination risks.

Factual Reports

Once our initial assessment is complete, we conduct an on-site ground investigation. Our experienced engineers investigate the ground and take samples for testing through industry-standard techniques such as:

• Boreholes. To extract deep soil and rock samples. 
• Window sample holes. To assess near-surface conditions. 
• Probing and trial pits. To evaluate soil composition and stability. 

The results of our ground investigation findings, including site records, logs, and laboratory test results, are compiled into a Factual Report, providing a clear and structured record of the ground conditions. 

Interpretative Reports

Whilst the Factual Report shows the current site conditions, the next stage of the process is where our expert engineers can really add value to your project, with a detailed interpretation of the factual data. The interpretative report comprises the analysis and assessment of factual data against specific criteria for the proposed development scheme to develop site-specific recommendations. Our experts then present their recommendations on appropriate foundation types, contamination remediation measures etc. to support the development.

Detailed Assessment

The final stage is a detailed assessment, which is usually recommended for complex sites of specialists and specific situations. We offer the following detailed assessments: 

• Detailed Geotechnical Assessments – Including basement impact assessments, slope stability studies, and analysis for proposed structures, infrastructure, neighbouring properties, and highways. 

• Detailed Geoenvironmental Assessments – Advanced assessment of contamination for a particular site, using site-specific information, often with specially derived assessment criteria. 

Our assessments ensure that your project meets regulatory compliance while optimising design efficiency and cost-effectiveness. 

Technics Investigation Deliverables 

Whatever methods prove to be most relevant to your project and subject to your needs, we will use the services to provide: 

• Geotechnical reports 
• Contamination assessment reports 
• Recommendations and designs include foundations, highways/pavements, slopes, underground structures, ground movement, retaining systems, earthworks, and contamination remediation. 

Why is a Ground Investigation Survey Important? 

A ground condition survey is crucial for developers, engineers, and contractors to: 

✔ Avoid costly project delays due to unforeseen ground issues
✔ Ensure structural stability with accurate soil and foundation data
✔ Meet planning and regulatory requirements for site development
✔ Improve safety & efficiency in construction processes 

Why Choose Technics for Your Ground Investigation?

✔ Technics has more than 35 years of experience providing high-quality consulting services, tailoring the right technology to your project. 

✔ With Technics, you won’t just receive a report. Our expert engineers are on hand to interpret and translate the report and offer you the advice you need.  

When opting for a geotechnical site and ground investigation, it is important to consider other essential services you need before conducting a ground survey, such as utility detection and topographical surveys. 

Take a look at Our Services page to find out more about the additional services we can offer to complement your ground investigation. 

Get a Quote for Your Geotechnical Survey 

Ready to start your ground investigation project with confidence? Contact Technics today for expert geotechnical surveys and site investigation services. 

Contact our team of experts at our Guildford office on 01483 230080 or email enquiries@technicsgroup.com to find out more.