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Excavator and groundworks
Groundworks & Civils

Groundworks & Civils Estimating, Quantity Surveying & Commercial Management

Commercially focused estimating, quantity surveying and commercial management support across Groundworks & Civil Engineering projects.

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SpecialistFocussed
CommercialIntelligence
TechnicalExpertise
TrustedPartner
Experience across developers, main contractors, groundworks contractors & infrastructure projects including
Bloor Homes
Miller Homes
Tithegrove
Buxted Construction
Vistry
Our Services

Clear commercial value across developer, main contractor and subcontractor environments.

Each service is structured around practical commercial outcomes: helping clients control infrastructure exposure, procure works properly, manage subcontract accounts and protect margin through delivery.

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Groundworks & Civils Estimating

Developers / Main Subcontractors: clearer visibility of groundworks and civils exposure before works are committed.

Subcontractors: measured tender support to price competitively without losing sight of risk.

Outcome: stronger pricing confidence before tender or procurement decisions.

Earthworks Analysis

Developers / Main Subcontractors: early identification of abnormal cut, fill, disposal and import/export exposure.

Subcontractors: measured earthworks data to price excavation, movement and material allowances more accurately.

Outcome: reduced uncertainty on complex level sites.

Land Appraisal & Cost Planning

Developers / Main Subcontractors: measured infrastructure budgets to support acquisition and viability decisions.

Subcontractors: current rate knowledge and cost planning support for early contractor involvement.

Outcome: more reliable budgets before site costs become fixed.

BOQs, Tendering & Procurement

Developers / Main Subcontractors: clearer comparison of tender returns, exclusions, allowances and procurement risk.

Groundworks contractors: structured measurable pricing documents that improve tender clarity.

Outcome: fewer scope gaps, assumptions and pricing inconsistencies.

Phased Development Support

Developers / Main Subcontractors: independent checks when later phases are negotiated with incumbent contractors.

Groundworks contractors: clear phased measures and rate reviews to support ongoing commercial discussions.

Outcome: stronger commercial control when comparison pricing becomes limited.

Quantity Surveying & Commercial Management

Developers / Main Subcontractors: support with procurement, valuations, variations, payment reviews and final account control.

Groundworks contractors: subcontract account support, commercial reporting and margin protection through delivery.

Outcome: stronger commercial control from procurement through to final account.
How CWE Supports Projects

From information review to commercial decision-making.

A structured approach helps convert drawings, site information and contractor pricing into clearer commercial decisions.

01Review drawings, specifications, levels and tender information
02Measure quantities and identify scope gaps or exclusions
03Build a cost and rate basis using current market information
04Identify commercial risk, abnormal allowances and assumptions
05Support tender, procurement and negotiation decisions
06Maintain commercial visibility through delivery where required
Bluebeam Revu
Kubla Cubed
EasyEarthworks
Visual Precision OST
About Charles

Groundworks & civils commercial consultant, quantity surveyor and estimator.

Commercially focused commercial consultant, quantity surveyor and estimator with 26 years of specialist experience across groundworks, civil engineering and residential infrastructure projects. Proven track record delivering estimating, procurement, subcontract account management, valuations, variations and commercial reporting support.

Experienced across developer, main contractor and subcontractor environments — pricing subcontract packages, procuring works, reviewing payment applications and managing commercial risk through delivery.

Experienced from early infrastructure budgeting and tender stage through to procurement, valuations, variations and final account settlement, with particular expertise in earthworks analysis, measurement, commercial reviews & quantity verification and cost control.

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Our Projects

Selected project experience.

Basingstoke infrastructure development
680 units • Infrastructure commercial management

Major Residential Infrastructure Development – Basingstoke

Challenge
Major infrastructure, substructure and parcel groundworks packages required commercial management across roads, drainage, foundations, external works and associated highway infrastructure.
Scope
Provided commercial support including procurement, contractor valuations, variation management, commercial reporting and coordination with operational delivery teams.
Commercial Outcome
Supported commercial control across groundworks and infrastructure delivery including dual carriageway and roundabout works linked to the wider development.
Hertfordshire
800 units • Land appraisal review

Hertfordshire Residential Development

Challenge
Large level variation and incomplete proposed level information created uncertainty within the original land appraisal.
Scope
Independent cut and fill review including retaining walls, attenuation areas, infrastructure earthworks and complex landscaping interfaces.
Commercial Outcome
Identified materially higher earthworks quantities than originally allowed within the appraisal assumptions.
Farnborough
159 units • Land appraisal

Farnborough Brownfield Scheme

Challenge
Brownfield infrastructure constraints and demolition allowances required measured review before land acquisition.
Scope
Measured and costed the groundworks, roads and sewers package including podium demolition and level reduction allowances.
Commercial Outcome
Supported a competitive land bid using measured quantities and current market rates.
Standlake
24 units • Groundworks tender

Standlake Road, Ducklington

Challenge
Complex tender allowances including archaeology, spoil management and permeable paving required detailed measurement.
Scope
Complete groundworks and roads tender measure including labour, plant, material rates and commercial review of key risk items.
Commercial Outcome
Supported a competitive tender submission that became a profitable contract.
Lyme Regis
Complex levels • Groundworks measure

Lyme Regis Phase 2

Challenge
Stepped foundations, varying plot designs and significant level changes created complex earthworks exposure.
Scope
Produced a complete measured review including cut and fill calculations across the development.
Commercial Outcome
Enabled the client to challenge tender quantities and negotiate a reduced contract sum.
Modbury
Replan measure • Contractor check

Modbury Replan Review

Challenge
Revised development information required independent verification of contractor measurement and pricing assumptions.
Scope
Independent remeasurement and commercial review following revised site and layout information.
Commercial Outcome
Helped agree a reduction against the contractor's original measured position.
Pinhoe
250 units • Land purchase viability

Pinhoe, Exeter

Challenge
Large infrastructure allowances and abnormal earthworks required measured review before acquisition.
Scope
Measured the groundworks, roads, sewers, POS works and substantial acoustic bund requirements.
Commercial Outcome
Provided a commercially measured basis for infrastructure budgeting during the land acquisition process.
Client Testimonials

Trusted by developers & contractors.

★★★★★

"Charles Walton is an excellent professional and a very skilled estimator and quantity surveyor. I would recommend his company to any house developer, civil engineering contractor or construction company."

Justin Purdy

Commercial Director, Miller Homes

★★★★★

"We are happy to recommend Charles Walton Estimating. The service provided was accurate, attentive to detail and efficient. Refreshingly knowledgeable and approachable throughout."

Richard Onyon

Senior Surveyor, Bloor Homes South West

★★★★★

"Understanding our requirements and appreciating the translation of his work into our system mainframe, we've found the whole interaction seamless."

Greg Tucker

Regional Commercial Manager, Tithegrove Limited

★★★★★

"You have provided an efficient, accurate service and the team here have found you to be professional and approachable."

Gary Male

Technical and Commercial Director, Bloor Homes South West

★★★★★

"The service was prompt and efficient. The presentation of the finished work was excellent and very easy to follow."

Paul Dennison

Estimating Director, Buxted Construction Limited