Concrete foundations subcontractor for builders
Pour foundations, floor slabs and bases as a subcontractor for local builders and developers on extensions and new builds.
- £5k-25k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
Laying trench foundations, ground-floor slabs and bases for extensions, outbuildings and small developments, working to the builder's drawings and building control requirements.
Your first three steps
- Make a list of local builders and groundworks firms and introduce yourself with photos of past work and your insurance details
- Line up reliable labourers and arrange hire of mixers, poker vibrators and a pump or skip for the first jobs
- Set up simple terms covering payment timing, variations and who supplies materials
Who pays
Small and medium builders, developers and groundworks firms who subcontract concrete work.
How it makes money
Priced per job or per square metre for labour, sometimes including materials. Repeat work from a few reliable builders can keep a small crew busy.
Skills that help
- Reading drawings and setting out
- Concrete placing, finishing and reinforcement
- Managing a small crew and schedules
- Pricing and invoicing
Watch out for
- Public liability and employer's liability insurance, which main contractors often ask to see
- Construction Industry Scheme (CIS): check how to register with HMRC and how deductions work for subcontractors
- Late payment from main contractors, so agree payment terms and keep good records
- Work must pass building control inspections; check specifications before pricing
- Health and safety on site, including trenches and manual handling; check what training or cards (such as CSCS) contractors expect
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: concrete foundations subcontractor for builders
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start as a concrete foundations subcontractor?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on equipment, vehicles and the size of crew you plan to run. Main contractors often ask to see public liability and employer's liability insurance, so check those costs too.
What can a concrete subcontractor earn each month?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on how much work you win from builders and developers. Late payment can affect cash flow, so agree payment terms and keep good records.
What rules should I check before subcontracting on building sites?
Check how to register for the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) with HMRC and how deductions work. Check specifications so work passes building control inspections, and check what site training or cards, such as CSCS, contractors expect.
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