Soil Testing & Analysis
Comprehensive chemical and nutrient profiling for planning, remediation and land-quality assurance — delivered nationwide by accredited consultants.
Do you need Soil Testing & Analysis?
You may need soil testing if development, remediation, foundation design or land transactions depend on understanding contamination levels, nutrient balance, pH, or soil behaviour.
These tests provide the independent evidence required by planners, insurers, engineers and environmental regulators under the Environment Act 2021, Contaminated Land Regulations 2006, Building Regulations (Part C) and associated policy.
This early clarity protects you from last-minute delays and unplanned redesign.
What is Soil Testing & Analysis?
Soil Testing & Analysis provides a full chemical and nutrient assessment of the ground, including contaminants, fertility parameters and physical indicators that affect development, planting or reuse.
Typical testing includes:
- pH and acidity
- nutrient profile (NPK and micronutrients)
- heavy metals
- petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH, BTEX, MTBE)
- phenols and chlorinated compounds
- electrical conductivity and redox potential
- organic matter content
- soil composition and suitability for planting or reuse
All analysis is carried out through ISO 17025 and ISO 9001 accredited laboratories to ensure defensible, planning-ready evidence.
Typical Triggers
Physical Indicators:
- visible staining, odours or ash/clinker layers
- nutrient deficiency or vegetation die-back
- inconsistent drainage or waterlogging
- legacy industrial, agricultural or fuel-storage use
- rubble or made-ground within topsoil
Administrative Indicators:
- planning request for soil analysis
- remediation verification required
- groundwork design for shrink–swell soils
- due diligence for purchase or sale
- insurance investigations
- waste classification or reuse assessments
Early instruction keeps the testing phase aligned with your wider project timeline.
What We Deliver
A structured, proportionate and defensible testing service, delivered through accredited laboratories.
| Service Package | Purpose | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Core Package (Client-collected samples) |
You collect the sample using the ProHort sampling kit and instructions. The sample is returned to ProHort via our courier. |
ISO 17025/9001 compliant chemical breakdown of soil composition. |
| Analytical Package (Includes the full Core Package) |
Adds professional interpretation of laboratory data, showing how results compare with accepted standards. | Clear findings, contamination significance, and proportionate recommendations. |
| Comprehensive Package (Includes Core + Analytical) |
A ProHort expert attends site, undertakes sampling and conducts a visual assessment of factors influencing soil behaviour (e.g., contamination indicators, plant stress, drainage, context). | Integrated field observations, expert opinion and full laboratory analysis in a planning- or remediation-ready format. |
That’s how evidence stays proportionate, design stays predictable and your programme keeps momentum.
Case Insight
How it Works
Scoping
Send site details and a short summary; we identify the correct testing level.
Sampling
Either:
- We provide kits, vessels and instructions for client-collected samples, or
- Our consultant attends site under the Comprehensive Package.
Test & Report
Accredited laboratories analyse the samples; ProHort interprets and reports findings clearly and proportionately.
Timing & Delivery
Inspection Availability
Year-round.
Turnaround
Typically within 10 working days, including lab analysis
Urgent Cases
Fast-track testing available
Every week gained here stabilises programme flow and prevents downstream delays.
Why clients choose ProHort:
- Accredited, defensible laboratory analysis
- Practical interpretation — not just raw data
- Proportionate testing levels (no unnecessary upsell)
- Reliable, technically confident reporting
- Seamless integration with UKWIR, WAC and legal soil reporting
- Nationwide availability
What You Receive:
- Accredited laboratory analysis (ISO 17025 & ISO 9001)
- Nutrient and contamination profiling
- Suitability assessment for development, remediation or planting
- Clear recommendations aligned with regulatory and planning needs
- Field observations (Comprehensive Package)
- Planning-ready, remediation-ready and design-support reporting
- Nationwide coverage
Legal Compliance & Planning Risk
Soil testing supports compliance with:
- Contaminated Land Regulations 2006
- Environment Act 2021
- Building Regulations Part C (Site preparation & contaminants)
- Waste Framework Directive
- NPPF Sections 15 & 16
- CPR Part 35 (where evidence is used in disputes)
- Local planning authority verification requirements
- ProHort Quality Assurance and peer review protocols
Weak or incomplete evidence can lead to:
- planning refusals
- validation delays
- unnecessary excavation or disposal
- foundation redesign
- liability disputes
- stalled remediation
Early testing locks in programme certainty and prevents cost creep.
Your Next Step
Need Soil testing? We’ll confirm your requirements and deliver clear, compliant testing — fast.
Phone: 0800 494 7479
Email: [email protected]
Soil Testing FAQs
Do I need soil testing for planning?
Yes — if your development involves new foundations, changes of use, landscaping, drainage redesign or work on previously developed land. Planners typically request soil evidence where contamination, shrink–swell risk or land stability may influence design or safety.
What’s the difference between Soil Testing, WAC Testing and UKWIR Testing?
- Soil Testing & Analysis → checks nutrients, contaminants and suitability for development or planting.
- WAC Testing → classifies waste soil for disposal (inert, non-hazardous or hazardous).
- UKWIR Testing → ensures soil won’t degrade new water pipes.
They solve different regulatory problems; we confirm which applies within minutes.
How do I know which testing level I need?
A short site summary is usually enough.
- Core Package → basic chemical breakdown (client collects sample).
- Analytical Package → full interpretation + contamination significance.
- Comprehensive Package → ProHort site visit + interpretation + full reporting.
Most planning cases begin at Analytical or Comprehensive level.
Are the results accepted by planners, insurers and lenders?
Yes — the laboratories are ISO 17025 and ISO 9001 accredited, and reporting follows national environmental, planning and contaminated-land standards.
How long does the process take?
Typically 10 working days, including laboratory analysis. Fast-track testing is available for priority planning deadlines.
Can I collect the sample myself?
Yes — with the Core Package, we provide sampling kits, vessels and instructions. For the Comprehensive Package, a ProHort consultant attends site and collects samples for you.
What if test results show contamination?
We explain the significance clearly and provide proportionate next steps. Most contamination does not require full remediation — early clarity prevents over-engineering.
Can you test for specific contaminants?
Yes — targeted analysis is available for:
- hydrocarbons
- heavy metals
- phenols and chlorinated compounds
- herbicide/pesticide residues
- asbestos fragments (screening)
- organic matter to assess planting suitability
We tailor the testing suite to avoid unnecessary cost.
Can you confirm whether soil is safe to reuse on site?
Yes — soil testing identifies suitability for soft landscaping, SUDS, planting areas or structural fill (with engineering input where required).
Do you provide remediation advice?
Yes. Recommendations are included in the Analytical and Comprehensive packages where contamination is present. Advice covers:
- excavation strategy
- capping and clean-cover depth
- segregation of materials
- risk-based remediation options
Do you check for vegetation-related subsidence (clay shrink–swell)?
Yes — moisture content, plasticity, and related indicators can be tested and interpreted alongside vegetation data where relevant.
Can you work directly with my architect or structural engineer?
Yes — with consent, we coordinate so that foundation design responds proportionately to actual soil conditions.
Can soil test results support insurance or legal cases?
Yes — where cases involve subsidence, contamination liability or neighbour disputes, reporting can be formatted for CPR Part 35 compliance.
