PercolationTestinBournemouth&Poole
BRE 365-style trial pits, dug and timed on site, so the soakaway that follows is sized to your ground rather than guessed.
- A short site visit, not a lengthy survey
- Result used to size the soakaway properly
- Paperwork for building control and septic sign-off
- 2 yearsWarranty on work
- Owner-ledOne team throughout
- In-houseBy our own team
- CSCS · SSSTS · NVQ 2Qualified team
What a Percolation Test Actually Involves
A percolation test is BRE 365-style trial pits dug in your garden or site, then timed to see how fast the ground actually takes water. That number sets the size of the soakaway that follows, rather than one that gets guessed and either floods in winter or costs more than it needed to. It suits anyone installing a new soakaway, replacing a failed one, or needing a result for building control or a septic system application.
How a Percolation Test With Us Works
Three trial pits, one visit, a result you can hand to building control or your groundworks team.
01You get in touch
Tell us what the result is for, a new soakaway, a septic system, or a building control condition.
02We dig and time it
BRE 365-style trial pits, dug on site and timed to see how fast the ground actually drains.
03You get the result
A written result you can hand straight to building control, your septic supplier or your own groundworks team.
15+
Years in groundworks and landscaping
One visit
Typical time on site for the test
BRE 365
The percolation test standard we work to
35 miles
Working radius from our Bournemouth base
A Percolation Test Against the Alternatives
How a soakaway actually gets sized, and why a guess is the one method we will not use.
| Percolation Test (BRE 365) | Assumed Soakaway Size | Full Site Investigation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | Measured on your actual ground | A guess based on general soil type | The most detail, rarely needed for a single soakaway |
| Accepted by building control | Yes | Often not | Yes |
| Time on site | A short visit | None, no ground work at all | Can run to several days |
| Best for | Most driveway, garden and septic soakaways | Nothing we would put our name to | Larger developments or complicated ground |
Swipe to see every column
What's Included in a Percolation Test
Everything covered in one visit, nothing added later.
Trial pits dug on site
Pits dug to the depth needed for the test, in the spot the soakaway will actually go.
Water timed in the ground
The rate the ground takes water is measured directly, not estimated from soil type alone.
Soakaway sized to the result
The test result sets the size of the soakaway that follows, not a standard size fitted regardless.
Paperwork for sign-off
A written result you can pass to building control or your septic supplier where the job needs it.
Drainage
Percolation Test Pricing
Quoted before we book the visit
A percolation test is a short visit. Trial pits are dug, the fills are timed to BRE 365, and you get a written result you can hand to building control. What it costs depends on how many pits the ground needs and how easily a machine gets onto the plot, so we confirm the figure before we book a date.
- Trial pits, timed BRE 365 fills and a written result
- Quoted on its own, or alongside the soakaway it sizes
- No obligation to use us for the drainage that follows
How a Percolation Test Runs
Short, mechanical, and over in one visit.
Site visit and assessment
We look at what the result is for, a driveway, a septic system, a new build, and where trial pits make sense.
Trial pits dug and timed
BRE 365-style pits dug to depth, filled and timed, so the result is measured rather than guessed.
Result and next steps
A written result, a sized soakaway recommendation, and paperwork for building control or your septic supplier where the job needs it.
Percolation Testing on Site
Trial pits dug and tested across Bournemouth and Poole. Most of the work happens below ground, so photography of the test itself is still being gathered.
Reviews From Across Bournemouth and Poole
These reviews are from customers across the business, covering groundworks, driveways and drainage work of every kind.
Grace Sibley
Jacc and his team did a full patio renovation for us inclusive of sorting out some significant drainage problems. Jacc and his team have been professional through out and provided a high quality service even through some significantly challenging weather. I cannot fault them at all. Jacc and Jordan went above and beyond for us and despite it being 37 degrees carried on grafting to get us a usable patio before our sons 1st birthday. The work was efficient, they kept the place tidy with waste removal being organised within 48 hours of it being produced I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Four Ground for your upcoming landscape/ground works project.
Asa Parker
I'm very happy with the work Jacc and this team have done. They removed the old driveway and previous concrete pads, before levelling and laying a new larger reinforced concrete slab and block paving driveway. Jacc was very helpful throughout.
Chris Lynch
We used Jacc and his team to lay the foundations and over site for a single story extension. After getting plenty of quotes he was very competitive and his enthusiasm and communication was exceptional. Our plan is to have Jacc back to complete our patio area and ground drainage - he's trustworthy, reliable and has a fantastic attitude - something that we've realised is really hard to come by in the building trade. Thanks so much Jacc and team!
A.G Reeks
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Friendly & Honest Excellent service from start to finish. The drainage work was explained clearly, priced fairly, and completed efficiently. The lads were polite, hardworking, and respectful of the property. It's refreshing to deal with a company you can trust. Would definitely use again.
Rachel
We are so pleased with all the work we have had done - our back garden was a total mess, but the guys completely transformed it with a brilliant new concrete area and some lovely planters. They even sorted out and tidied our front drive with a temporary fix, which has given the whole house a massive face-lift. The whole team were so friendly and down-to-earth. Big shout-out to Jacc as well, who was always around for a chat whenever we had any questions. Honestly couldn't recommend them enough if you need a landscaping company for gardens or driveways.
jeff sullivan
After being let down at the last minute by another landscaper, Jacc was recommended to me. I messaged and received a prompt reply. Jacc visited to give a quote and start date. He arrived when expected to start on a new patio, whilst he was working, I asked for a quote for new concrete fence posts and panels, again I was happy with the quote and it could be done at the same time, result... Its now all completed, I'm impressed with the new patio and fence, jacc was professional and takes pride in his work, his easy to get on with and very approachable. Highly recommended, and thanks again Jacc 👍
Recent Groundworks & Drainage Work
A sample of the ground preparation and drainage jobs behind the finish you see above.
Common Questions Before Booking a Test
The practical worries, answered plainly.
Will trial pits wreck the garden?
A trial pit is a small dig in one spot, not a trench across the garden. We backfill it once the test is done.
What if the ground does not drain well?
That is exactly what the test is for. A slow result changes the soakaway size and design, it does not mean the job cannot go ahead.
Will building control or my septic supplier accept it?
The test follows the BRE 365 method, so the result is in a form building control and septic suppliers recognise.
Percolation Testing and BRE 365
A percolation test, sometimes called a BRE 365 percolation test after the method it follows, measures how quickly your ground absorbs water. Trial pits are dug, filled, and the drop in water level timed. That single number is what a soakaway then gets sized against, rather than a size chosen without ever checking the ground.
Most requests for a soakaway percolation test come from one of three places: a new soakaway for surface water, a septic tank or treatment plant application, or a condition attached by building control or a planning consent. In each case, the test result is the evidence the application or the sign-off actually needs.
What a percolation test costs depends on how many trial pits the plot needs and how easy the ground is to reach, which is why every test is priced at survey rather than quoted blind. Results vary between one garden and the next, sometimes over a few metres, because the ground itself varies. That is exactly why a soakaway gets sized to your test result rather than a standard figure for the area.
Percolation Testing Questions
What people ask before booking a test.
What is a percolation test?
BRE 365-style trial pits dug and timed to measure how fast your ground takes water. The result is used to size the soakaway that follows.
Do I need a percolation test?
If you are installing a new soakaway, applying for a septic system or treatment plant, or building control or your groundworks team has asked for one, yes.
Will it satisfy building control or my septic supplier?
The test follows the BRE 365 method, so the result is in a form building control and septic suppliers recognise, where the job calls for it.
How much does a percolation test cost?
Every test is priced at survey, since the number of pits and the access needed varies from one plot to the next. Get in touch and we will confirm it before booking.
How long does a percolation test take?
A short site visit. We confirm the exact timing when the job is booked in.
What qualifications and accreditations do you hold?
CSCS, Street Works (NRSWA), SSSTS and NVQ Level 2, alongside a Diploma in Groundworks. The business is an approved Checkatrade member and holds Google Guaranteed status, with over 15 years in the industry behind it.
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Bournemouth, Poole and the surrounding towns, out to around 35 miles.
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Tell us what you need and we'll come back with a price. No pressure, no hard sell.
Prefer to talk? Call Four Groundworks & Landscaping on 07886 075828
Percolation tests we have carried out
A trial pit, timed water drops and the figures they produce. We post the testing to our Instagram as it happens, because the result is what sizes everything downstream.
See more on Instagram