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How Much Does Soil Testing Cost?

Although soil testing costs are highly correlated to factors, including size of site, project type, reporting requirements and the scope of UKAS and MCERTS accredited laboratory testing, our soil testing services start at £275.

For samples taken using our soil test kit service, allowing you to take the samples, the cost of your testing will largely depend on the number of samples and the testing you select, whereas, for soil sampling carried out by our consultants, a number of other factors will also be taken into account.

How Much Does Soil Sampling & Testing Cost?

UKAS & MCERTS Laboratory Testing - Whether testing to assess the contamination or quality of soil, it's important that UKAS accredited laboratory testing is chosen to ensure that money spent on soil testing isn't wasted and will provide all the necessary information needed. The scope of laboratory testing has a major impact on the cost of soil testing and can vary greatly, however, soil testing commonly includes inorganic heavy metal contaminants (e.g. lead, cadmium, arsenic etc.) and organic chemicals such as petroleum hydrocarbons, found in fuels and oils, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), released from burning fuels and materials, in addition to, nutrient content and physical properties, such as sand, silt and clay content.

Construction waste testing - Certain projects will have more standardised testing and sampling requirements, such as Waste Classification & WAC testing and water authority testing. Before starting a construction project, soil testing should be carried out to identify contamination issues or to classify waste for disposal, this is known as Waste Classification & WAC testing, and will include testing for a range of inorganic and organic contaminants, in addition to leachate analysis and organic matter.

Water pipe installation testing - Water authorities will usually request that soil be tested prior the installation of water supply pipes, if it's suspected that soil may be contaminated. Soil test requirements to assess the risk to water pipes is outlined in UKWIR (United Kingdom Water Industry Research) guidance and includes Petroleum Hydrocarbons, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), BTEX & MTBE, Phenols, Cresols & chlorinated phenols and pH, Electrical conductivity & Redox potential. The biggest factor to determine the cost of soil testing for water pipe installation is the length of the pipe run and the corresponding number of samples needed to obtain a representative picture of soil conditions along the run.

How many samples do I need? - There are many factors used to determine the number of soil samples required, however, as a general guide we advise that a sufficient amount of samples are taken to obtain a representative sample. This could mean taking samples at a number of points across a site or a composite sample, made up of soil from multiple points or a stockpile. Don't worry if you're unsure on the amount of samples needed as we can calculate this for you.

Site Visit or Test Kit - While the majority of our projects include site visits and detailed reports, we offer soil testing kits from £275 for clients that wish to take samples themselves. We can carry out your specific requested suite of soil testing or can advise you on the most suitable suite of testing, based on your specific circumstances. Using our soil testing kits reduces the overall cost of soil testing quite substantially, as our consultants don't need to visit site, and whilst this option is not always suitable, it can provide a fast, low cost alternative for a number of projects. Delivery and collection arrangements and associated costs are included in the total cost of our sample testing kits.

Soil testing for an Intrusive Site Investigation is usually more technical and will be required due to observed risks at a site, as a result, sampling should be conducted by qualified environmental consultants, like us, and some level of preliminary risk assessment should be carried out first in order to appropriately sample and test the soil. Intrusive Site Investigations include an in-depth report as standard; these reports detail important information on the proposed project, location of the site as well as background research on its historical use. The report will also display the results of laboratory soil testing, carried out on soil samples taken from the site, in addition to detailed interpretations.

Meet Our Soil Testing Consultants

Louis Turner, Technical Director - Having graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Environmental Science, Louis is recognised for his technical leadership and precision in environmental consultancy. Louis provides strategic oversight across all service areas, ensuring projects meet the highest standards of compliance, accuracy, and environmental responsibility. Louis oversees soil testing programmes, ensuring samples are collected, analysed, and interpreted to UKAS-accredited standards. His expertise provides clients with reliable data on soil composition, contamination levels, and suitability for development to support sustainable land use.

Joe Turner, Operations Director - Providing practical expertise and a client-focused approach, Joe ensures that every project is delivered quickly, efficiently, and without unnecessary hassle. He has successfully managed a wide variety of project types across the consultancy, bringing a wealth of operational knowledge and a reputation for keeping projects on track. Joe's leadership guarantees a smooth process for clients, from initial enquiry through to final reporting. Joe coordinates soil testing programmes, overseeing sample collection, laboratory analysis, and reporting. His leadership ensures that results are delivered quickly and reliably, supporting compliance with British Standards and providing clients with the data they need to progress projects confidently.

Richard Turner, Director - With over 30 years of experience in site development, he provides invaluable insight into pragmatic solutions that balance costs, practicalities, and client objectives. Richard has a detailed understanding of building regulations and a clear sense of what is and isn't possible on site, making him a trusted advisor for developments of all sizes. Richard oversees soil testing projects with a focus on practical application, ensuring that laboratory results translate into clear, actionable steps for construction and development. His approach bridges technical data with on site realities.

Request Soil Testing

Contact us for an informal discussion about your requirements or, if your requirements are more complex, a more formal consultation may be necessary. Following initial consultation we can provide an outline proposal detailing how we can help and the costs involved. If you're looking for more information about our services or our company then complete the below contact form and we will endeavour to respond to your enquiry in a timely manner, alternatively, give us a call on 0800 433 2906 and our experienced consultants can provide actionable advice and guidance.

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References
BSI Group. BS 3882:2015 - Specification for topsoil
CL:AIRE. Category 4 Screening Levels (C4SLs)
Environment Agency. Land contamination risk management (LCRM)
Environment Agency. Waste Classification: Guidance on the classification and assessment of waste
Land Quality Management. The LQM/CIEH S4ULs for Human Health Risk Assessment
UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR). Guidance for the Selection of Water Supply Pipes to be used in Brownfield Sites.