Trench Digging Contractor — Drainage, Utility & Foundation Trenches in East Sussex & Kent
If you need trenches dug for drainage, water mains, foundations, utilities, or cabling, we're a trench digging contractor based in Battle, East Sussex serving Kent and the wider South East. With our own fleet of mini to 8-tonne tracked excavators, we dig trenches of any depth and width — from narrow pipe trenches in restricted access gardens to deep foundation trenches on construction sites.
We dig trenches for land drainage, French drains, water main installation, water pipe repairs, foundation footings, utility ducting, cable runs, and soakaway connections. Our experienced, NPORS-certified operators work to precise specifications — correct depth, width, gradient, and alignment — and we handle excavation, pipe installation, and backfill as a complete service.
Types of Trenches We Dig
Drainage trenches are the most common type we dig — for perforated pipe land drainage, French drains, surface water drainage, and soakaway connections. These trenches need to be dug to the correct depth and gradient so water flows in the right direction, and they need to be wide enough for the pipe and gravel surround. We dig drainage trenches with our mini excavators for garden and field work and our 8-tonne machines for larger agricultural and commercial drainage.
Water main and water pipe trenches need to be dug to the depth specified by Southern Water and South East Water standards — typically at least 750mm cover for MDPE water pipes. We dig water main trenches for new connections, water pipe repairs, and water service pipe installation, and we're certified to carry out the water utility work to the required standards.
Foundation trenches for footings and strip foundations need to be dug to the correct depth and width for the load-bearing requirements, and to a clean, level formation. We dig foundation trenches for extensions, new builds, outbuildings, and retaining walls, working to engineer specifications. We also dig utility trenches for electric cables, gas pipes, and ducting, and trenches for culverts and inspection chambers.
Why Choose Us for Trench Digging?
We own all our own excavators, so we can mobilise quickly and keep costs down. Our mini excavators (1.5–3 tonne) are ideal for restricted access work — they fit through standard garden gates and can work in rear gardens, narrow side passages, and inside buildings. Our 8-tonne tracked excavators handle deeper, wider trenches for foundations, water mains, and large drainage runs.
Our operators are experienced and NPORS-certified. They understand trenching requirements for different applications — the correct gradient for drainage, the correct depth for water mains, the correct formation for foundations. We dig to specification, not just approximately. And we work safely — trench supports, safe access, and proper procedures are followed on every job.
We provide a complete trenching service — not just digging. We can install drainage pipes, water pipes, and ducting in the trench, backfill with the correct material (gravel for drainage, sand for pipes, selected fill for foundations), and reinstate the surface. We're also licensed waste carriers, so we handle muck-away and disposal in-house.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How deep can you dig trenches?
Our 8-tonne excavators can dig trenches to depths of 3–4 metres where needed, though most drainage, water main, and foundation trenches are 0.6–1.5m deep. Our mini excavators are suited for trenches up to about 2m deep. We dig to whatever depth and width your project requires.
Can you dig trenches in restricted access areas?
Yes. Our mini excavators (1.5–3 tonne) fit through standard garden gates and can work in rear gardens, narrow side passages, and inside buildings. We regularly dig drainage and utility trenches in restricted access areas across East Sussex and Kent where larger machines can't reach.
Do you just dig the trench or do you install pipes too?
We provide a complete service. We can dig the trench, install drainage pipes, water pipes, or ducting, backfill with the correct material, and reinstate the surface. For water mains and water pipes, we're certified to carry out the installation to Southern Water and South East Water standards.
How much does trench digging cost?
The cost depends on the length, depth, and width of the trench, the ground conditions, and whether pipe installation and backfill are included. We provide free, no-obligation quotes — call us on 07376 622637 with your requirements.
Need Help With This Problem?
Call us for a free quote. Based in Battle, East Sussex — covering Kent and East Sussex. We respond within 24 hours.