What DAM Geotechnical Services does

DAM Geotechnical Services Ltd is a privately held site-investigation consultancy founded in 1987 by David Miller and headquartered in Dumbarton, Scotland. The firm delivers integrated geotechnical, geophysical, and geoenvironmental services to the civil engineering sector across Scotland, structured as a progression from Phase I desk studies through Phase II intrusive site investigation to remediation method statements and gas/coal mining risk validation. Service lines include historical map and environmental database review, intrusive investigation using cable percussive and rotary boreholes, trial pits and windowless sampling, and non-invasive geophysical surveys (Ground Penetrating Radar, seismic refraction, MASW, CSWS, Electrical Resistivity Tomography, EM induction, and magnetometry) using Guideline Geo ABEM/MALÅ instrumentation. Laboratory testing is delivered through UKAS and MCERTS accredited partners covering chemical contamination, concrete specification, WAC testing, asbestos, and geotechnical strength tests.

The company is founder-controlled and operates with a team of approximately 10–12 staff led by Chartered Civil Engineer David Miller (36 years' experience) and Chartered Geologist Dave Calder (Technical Director since 2016). Customers include national housebuilders (Barratt, Persimmon, CALA), engineering consultancies (Jacobs, Pick Everard, Curtins, Robertson), Scottish local authorities, BEAR Scotland, and Scottish Sea Farms. Notable project references include Dundee Waterfront, Queen's Quay Clydebank, Waterfront Plaza Leith, Blar Mhor peat thickness survey, Bo'ness mineshaft locating, and A83 Rest and Be Thankful slope investigations.

Revenue is generated through project-based professional services engagements priced by scope and complexity; no pricing or revenue is publicly disclosed. The firm operates from a single Dumbarton office, sells via direct client engagement, and does not use channel partners. There is no external investment, parent company, or acquisition history.

Name

DAM Geotechnical Services

Legal name

DAM Geotechnical Services Ltd

Website

https://dam.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DAM Geotechnical Services is a Scotland-based, founder-owned site investigation consultancy delivering geotechnical, geophysical, and geoenvironmental assessments — from Phase I desk studies through Phase II intrusive works and remediation validation — to housebuilders, engineering consultancies, and Scottish public-sector clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geotechnical Engineering Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Geotechnical Investigation & Site Characterization (Boreholes, In-situ Testing, Lab Testing) (IMAFAOAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Geotechnical Instrumentation & Monitoring (Settlement, Inclinometers, Piezometers) (IMAFAOAH), Shallow Foundations & Ground Support (Footings, Rafts, Ground Beams) (IMAFAOAB), Geotechnical Site Investigation & Engineering Geology (Borings, Lab Testing) (EUAHAFAE)

Keywords

• Geotechnical engineering
• Site investigation
• Geophysical surveys
• Geoenvironmental services
• Ground gas assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

Dumbarton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Geotechnical Site Investigation Services: Professional consulting services for site investigation including Phase I desk studies and Phase II intrusive investigations, providing geotechnical and environmental assessments for civil engineering projects.
2. Geophysical Survey Services: Non-invasive subsurface surveys using various geophysical methods for applications including mine shaft locating, peat thickness surveys, void detection, and infrastructure assessments.
3. Laboratory and Analytical Services: Environmental and geotechnical laboratory testing including contamination analysis, concrete testing, waste acceptance criteria testing, and geotechnical strength tests.
4. Ground Gas and Environmental Risk Assessment: Risk assessments for ground gases according to BS 8485 and CIRIA guidance, including monitoring, recommendations, and validation services.
5. UKWIR Water Supply Pipe Determination: Water supply pipe media determination for brownfield sites in accordance with UKWIR guidance, including site assessment and laboratory analysis.
6. Remediation Method Statements: Documentation services for remedial measures required to make contaminated sites suitable for intended end use, including monitoring and validation works.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

DAM Geotechnical Services provides site investigation, geophysical, geotechnical, and geoenvironmental services to the civil engineering sector. Their work spans Phase I desk studies, Phase II intrusive site investigations, geophysical surveys, laboratory testing, and environmental and ground gas risk assessments to inform ground condition and contamination decisions on development and infrastructure projects.

Product overview

DAM Geotechnical Services provides a unified portfolio of specialist site investigation, survey and consultancy services to the civil engineering sector in Scotland. The core offering is structured as an integrated service progression: Phase I Desk Studies establish site history and risk factors, leading into Phase II Site Investigation with intrusive testing and laboratory analysis. Supporting services include Geophysical Surveys (using GPR, seismic, ERT, and electromagnetic methods), Environmental Risk Assessment, Ground Gas Risk Assessment and Protection Validation, Radon Gas Risk Assessment, Coal Mining Risk Assessments, UKWIR Water Supply Pipe Determination, and Remediation Method Statements. The company serves projects from small-scale residential developments to large multi-phase projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Phase I Desk Studies

Quantifiable outcome

• Non-invasive subsurface investigation without requirement for intrusive works
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• JacobsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerJacobs is an engineering consultancy engaged by BEAR Scotland for the A83 Rest and Be Thankful landslide mitigation measures. DAM Geotechnical performed geophysical surveys on the slope above the A83 to investigate subsurface conditions, with results used to inform Jacobs's design of new mitigation measures.
• BEAR ScotlandminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBEAR Scotland is Transport Scotland's operating company for trunk road maintenance in the north-west and south-west of Scotland. They engaged Jacobs for A83 Rest and Be Thankful mitigation measures, with DAM Geotechnical providing geophysical investigation services.
• UKAS and MCERTS Accredited LaboratoriescoreTechnology or IntegrationDAM Geotechnical works with UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) and MCERTS (Environment Agency's Monitoring Certification Scheme) accredited laboratories for all environmental and geotechnical testing. Testing includes chemical contamination analysis, concrete class specification, WAC testing, asbestos identification, and geotechnical strength tests.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• SOCOTEC UK: One of the largest UK providers of geotechnical, environmental, and materials testing services. Closest direct peer to DAM by service mix (Phase I/II, geotechnical, contaminated land, ground gas), but operates at national scale across multiple disciplines and is materially larger.
• RSK Group: Large UK environmental and engineering consultancy group owning multiple specialist geotechnical firms (Structural Soils, Ian Farmer Associates, Geosyntec). Directly comparable services through its subsidiaries and is an active acquirer of regional specialists like DAM.
• Cawood Scientific: UK environmental testing and site investigation group with UKAS/MCERTS accredited laboratory network. Directly comparable to DAM on the environmental testing and contaminated land assessment scope, but at materially greater scale.

Direct peers

• Soil Engineering: UK-based geotechnical services contractor offering site investigation, in-situ and laboratory testing, and ground engineering services. Closely comparable to DAM on scope (intrusive investigation, geotechnical testing) and customer base (civil engineering and construction clients).
• Structural Soils (RSK): Geotechnical and geoenvironmental consultancy acquired by RSK, offering Phase I/II site investigation, geophysical surveying, and contaminated land services. Directly comparable to DAM on integrated site investigation scope.
• Apex Geoservices: Scotland-based geotechnical and environmental consultancy offering site investigation, coal mining risk assessments, and contaminated land services. Direct competitor to DAM in the Scottish housebuilder and developer market.
• Geotechnical Observations: UK specialist in geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring (settlement, inclinometers, piezometers) alongside site investigation. Directly comparable to DAM on the instrumentation/monitoring subset of its service portfolio.
• Ian Farmer Associates (RSK): Geotechnical engineering consultancy acquired by RSK, providing site investigation, contaminated land, and geotechnical design to construction clients across the UK. Directly comparable service offering and target market to DAM.

Regional players

• Concept Engineering Consultants: Scotland-based multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy providing civil, structural, and geotechnical services including site investigation support to housebuilders and developers. Most direct geographic peer to DAM within Scotland.
• Waldeck Associates: UK engineering consultancy with geotechnical and structural capability serving housebuilders and developers. Comparable to DAM on the civil/structural geotechnical interface, with particular strength in residential development sites.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/8357242

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DAM Geotechnical Services