Earthworks explained – from cut to fill
Before any structure rises from the ground, the land beneath it needs to be properly shaped, stabilised, and prepared. This is where earthworks come in - a critical early phase of construction that influences everything that follows.
What are Earthworks?
Earthworks refer to the engineering processes used to move, reshape, or compact large volumes of soil and rock. It’s the foundation of the foundations, preparing the site so it’s ready for Groundworks and vertical construction.
Typical activities include:
Site strip and vegetation removal
Cut and fill modelling
Bulk excavation
Soil stabilisation and compaction
Importing or exporting materials
Settlement monitoring
At Churngold, our Earthworks team supports major infrastructure, logistics, and commercial development projects. Whether it’s a complex brownfield remediation or a greenfield platform formation, we tailor our approach to the site conditions and project requirements.
What is Cut and Fill?
Cut and fill is the process of balancing the site’s levels:
Cut involves removing high ground or unsuitable material.
Fill uses that material (or imported fill) to build up lower ground or create level platforms.
Done right, this reduces the need to bring in or dispose of material off-site - saving cost, time, and carbon.
Our engineers use advanced modelling software and 3D surveys to optimise volumes and ensure accurate setting out. Where possible, we’ll reuse excavated material on-site to reduce environmental impact.Enabling works must account for:
Where Earthworks fits in your project
Earthworks typically follow enabling works like vegetation clearance, utility diversions, and demolition. Once complete, your site is ready for the next phase: groundworks, including drainage, foundations, and slab construction.
To help you plan this early phase, our Pre-Construction Pack (coming soon) includes:
1. A site readiness checklist
2. Project sequencing advice
3. Common cost-impact risks
4. Key decision points for involving a contractor
Why it matters
Incorrect earthworks can cause costly delays and structural issues later. Poor compaction, for example, may result in differential settlement under slabs and roadways. That’s why choosing the right partner is critical.
We offer:
Full in-house planning, engineering, and site delivery
Specialist plant and equipment
GPS-controlled excavation
Soil testing and validation
Collaboration from pre-construction through to handover
Let’s get your site ready
Have a project in mind? Speak to our Earthworks team today or Get in touch for early-stage advice.