Site investigation
Collecting soil and rock samples using boreholes and test pits to understand the ground's properties, bearing capacity, and groundwater conditions.
Foundation design
Designing foundations that safely support the loads a structure will impose, considering soil type, load distribution, and environmental conditions.
Slope stability and earthworks
Assessing slopes and embankments to prevent landslides and erosion, and recommending retaining walls or soil reinforcement where needed.
Ground improvement
Specifying techniques such as compaction, grouting, or geosynthetics to enhance soil properties where natural ground conditions are inadequate.
Hazard assessment
Evaluating risks from landslides, subsidence, flooding, and other ground-related hazards, and developing strategies to mitigate them.
Monitoring
Tracking the performance of foundations and earthworks during and after construction, using instrumentation to flag issues early.
New buildings or extensions
Most new construction and many significant extensions benefit from ground investigation to confirm foundation design assumptions are correct.
Sloping or challenging sites
Sites with significant slope, made ground, or known instability need specialist assessment before any design work proceeds.
Foundation problems or ground movement
Cracking, settlement, or other signs of foundation movement call for an investigation to diagnose the cause before repairs are designed.
Infrastructure projects
Roads, bridges, and other infrastructure typically require ground investigation as a fundamental part of the design process.
Planning conditions
Some planning approvals require a geotechnical report as a condition, particularly on previously undeveloped or sensitive sites.
Land purchase due diligence
Before buying land for development, a preliminary geotechnical assessment can reveal ground risks that significantly affect feasibility and cost.
Desk study
Reviewing historical maps, geological records, and previous site use to identify likely ground conditions and risks before any fieldwork begins.
Site investigation
Carrying out boreholes, trial pits, and in-situ testing to gather direct evidence of soil, rock, and groundwater conditions across the site.
Laboratory testing and analysis
Testing samples to determine engineering properties such as strength, compressibility, and permeability, which feed directly into the design.
Design recommendations
Producing a geotechnical report with foundation recommendations, risk assessments, and any ground improvement measures required.
Construction monitoring
Verifying ground conditions match the design assumptions as excavation proceeds, and advising on any necessary adjustments.
Note: construction-phase monitoring is often a separate appointment — confirm this when agreeing scope.Degree in civil engineering, geology, or geotechnical engineering
Chartered Engineer (CEng) status via ICE or IOM3
Chartered Geologist (CGeol) status via the Geological Society, where relevant
Membership of the British Geotechnical Association (BGA)
Expertise in soil mechanics, geology, and hydrology
Strong fieldwork and analytical reporting skills
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) obligation
Professional indemnity insurance
Practising in the Channel Islands
Local considerations
The Channel Islands have notably varied geology across a small land area, with granite outcrops, made ground from historical quarrying, and reclaimed coastal land all featuring in different parts of Guernsey and Jersey. This variation makes site-specific investigation particularly important, since ground conditions can change significantly even between neighbouring plots.
Coastal exposure and a high water table in some areas also add complexity to foundation and groundwater design that benefits from locally experienced input.