LONDON, Jan 18, 2026, 19:57 GMT
- Caldwell Construction has gone into administration, putting over 400 jobs in jeopardy
- Vistry, the housebuilder, has pulled Caldwell teams off its sites and is now searching for replacements
- Administrators pointed to cashflow pressure, with rising costs and a cooling housing market squeezing margins
Caldwell Construction Limited has gone into administration, threatening over 400 jobs, according to UK media on Sunday. The Stoke-on-Trent groundworks and civil engineering company posted a turnover of roughly 58.4 million pounds last year, with operating profits falling below 1 million pounds, the report added. (The Sun)
The collapse is significant since groundworks kick off nearly every housing project—foundations and drainage must be laid before anything else. When that stage grinds to a halt, housebuilders face swift delays and rising costs.
Vistry, a client of Caldwell, confirmed that Caldwell crews were withdrawn from its projects. The firm is now arranging substitute subcontractors from its preferred supplier list to prevent hold-ups. According to industry source Construction Enquirer, Caldwell has submitted a notice of intention to appoint administrators while searching for a buyer and attempting to stave off creditors. (Construction Enquirer)
PKF Littlejohn Advisory stepped in as administrator following the company’s recent filing, Place North West reported. Partner Paul Smith noted, “Despite extensive efforts, it was not possible to secure a way forward.” Joint administrator Oliver Collinge added the team’s “immediate focus” is on supporting employees and stakeholders as they evaluate the business and its assets. (Place North West)
Administration is a UK insolvency procedure that protects a company from creditors while an administrator attempts a rescue or sale. Filing a “notice of intention” usually grants a brief pause before the formal appointment of administrators.
Caldwell, founded in 2007, runs operations out of Stoke-on-Trent and maintains a base in Warrington. The firm focuses on foundations, sewers, and storm-water “attenuation” systems—drainage designed to control run-off—along with landscaping and estate roads.
Its latest accounts revealed a loss around £170,000 on revenues near £58 million for the year ending March 2025, following a profit the previous year, according to the Place North West report. Directors noted the business was performing steadily but highlighted margin squeezes from rising labour and materials costs, legacy fixed-price contracts, and a cooling housing market.
The pressing question is whether administrators can keep parts of the business running long enough to find a buyer. Without one, job cuts may increase and suppliers could face losses, as housebuilders rush to maintain their timelines.
Housebuilders can cut delays by outsourcing to different groundworks firms, but it’s rarely straightforward. New subcontractors must have the bandwidth, and they often won’t accept the rates set in earlier contracts—especially once sites are up and running.
