Drainage & groundworks contractor Since 1980
Field and sports drainage, equestrian arenas, utilities, lakes and ponds, civil engineering and laser-screeded concrete across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. One family firm from Bungay, with its own machines, materials and concrete.
What needs doing?
Trusted for over four decades by
What we do
Most jobs need more than one of them. A drained field needs a clear outfall, an arena needs drainage before its surface, a poultry unit needs a level base before its floor. We do all of it ourselves, so nothing waits on another firm.
Where it all began
From a wet corner of a paddock to a whole arable farm. We survey, design and install, using up-to-date trenchers and grading systems, and we keep a big stock of materials so even the largest scheme isn't waiting on deliveries.
Pitches that play after rain. Primary and secondary drainage for pitches and golf courses, for councils, clubs and private owners.
From a single horse's exercise arena to commercial livery yards and all-weather polo. Planning if needed, drainage, construction, fencing and landscaping, all in house.
Cross-country water, electricity, gas and sewer runs, with pre- and post-drainage to suit. From a single service main to large-scale installations.
New lakes and ponds, and old ones brought back, shaped to the natural contours so they look like they were always there. Regular work for Natural England on national nature reserves.
Bases for large storage and poultry buildings, including free-range and higher-welfare units. Culverts, underground tanks, and waste water containment and treatment. CAD design and laser-guided machines keep it on time and on budget.
Over 1,000 m² laid to accurate levels in a day, then a fine finish from ride-on power floats. Outside pads, grain store and factory floors, poultry buildings.
Sister business
Concrete mixed on site, so you only pay for what you lay. Thirteen aggregates, from Type 1 granite to horse arena stone.
Land drainage, explained
Most drainage problems start where you can't see them. Switch between before and after to see what a well-laid scheme does to the water in your soil.
Waterlogging can also be hidden, and sometimes the real problem is a compacted layer rather than missing drains. That's why we look before we quote.
Arrange a survey visitIn some years, “drainage can make the difference between having a crop to harvest and complete crop loss.”
How we work
We walk the site with you, check levels, soil and outfalls, and listen to what the ground has been doing.
CAD design and laser levels, so drains fall the right way, arenas shed water and pads come out flat.
Our trenchers, excavators, graders, laser screed and power floats, our stock of materials, and concrete and stone from our own yard.
Fencing, landscaping and the final finish are done in house too, to the deadline and the budget we agreed.
Laser concrete screeding
Our laser screed levels and compacts the concrete in one pass, so big floors go down fast and flat. Ride-on power floats then give the fine finish today's buildings need.
Rough out your floor or pad. We'll check the spec, joints and access on site.
A guide only. Your engineer's specification sets the thickness and mix; volumes exclude wastage. Pour days assume our laser screed's 1,000 m²+ a day.
Our work
Some of the team, with one of our trenchers.
The family
Allan Collyer went to work for a land drainage contractor in 1962, and started his own business in 1980. His rule was simple: do the job properly and give good value for money.
His sons, Chris and Colin, run the company today, and that rule hasn't changed. Some of Allan's first customers still call us when there's work to do, which says more than any brochure could.
We're not afraid to try new kit when it does the job better. Laser-guided grading and the laser screed came in because they save our customers time and money. The pride in the work hasn't changed either.
Our sister business mixes concrete on site from a volumetric mixer: the exact amount, mixed as you need it, so you only pay for what you lay. Domestic, commercial and agricultural.
Where we work
Our yard is at Ilketshall St Margaret, just south of Bungay on the Suffolk side of the Waveney. Most of our work is in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. If your job is further afield, ask: we'll tell you straight whether we can do it well.
Boundaries: ONS, OGL v3.0. Contains OS data © Crown copyright 2024. Town positions approximate.
Mainly Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, from our yard at Ilketshall St Margaret near Bungay. If your job is further afield, ask: we'll tell you straight whether we can do it well.
Water lying after rain, the same patches yellowing every year, ruts and late spring starts are the usual signs. Waterlogging can also be hidden, and sometimes the real problem is a compacted layer rather than missing drains (AHDB advises sorting that first). So we look before we quote, and we'll tell you which you need.
Yes. We take on any scale of drainage job, from the largest arable contract to a single paddock.
Often, yes. Work in or around a main river needs an environmental permit from the Environment Agency. For other watercourses, including most ditches, you may need consent from your lead local flood authority (the county council) or your internal drainage board. GOV.UK says new culverts are unlikely to be allowed, because they can increase flood risk. We'll tell you up front if your scheme needs consent. Read the GOV.UK guidance.
It depends on your council and the arena: its size, the groundworks, fencing, lighting and whether it's private or commercial all count, so ask your council early. We handle every stage in house, from initial planning if it's needed, through drainage and construction, to fencing and landscaping.
Our laser screed lays in excess of 1,000 square metres a day to accurate levels, levelling and compacting in one pass. Ride-on power floats then give the fine finish modern buildings need. Plan a pour to see roughly how many days yours would take.
Yes, through our sister business, Collyer Concrete. Concrete is mixed on site from a volumetric mixer, so you only pay for what you lay, and we supply thirteen aggregates, from Type 1 granite and ballast to topsoil and horse arena stone. Call 01986 781404 or email concrete@collyerdrainage.co.uk.
One point of contact from first visit to finished job, usually Chris or Colin Collyer, who run the company. Their mobile numbers are on every page of this site.
Get a quote
A few details and a rough idea is plenty. We'll call you back to talk it through and arrange a visit.
