Who WE ARE

JLES are an adoption works contractor who offer multi-disciplined civil engineering and infrastructure solutions to developers across the UK.

As the UK’s leading specialist in adoption works, our 9 regional offices provide fixed cost adoption solution packages for roads, sewers, pumping stations and public open space throughout the mainland and Northern Ireland. Over the last 18 years we have worked closely with over 250 clients, providing a dedicated external resource to help support their adoption teams to finalise more than 6000 projects.

Our ‘consult and construct’ business model allows us to adapt our role to suit the clients specific requirements, whether that be assisting them to secure adoption agreements, resolve technical and legal issues, or by acting as a contractor to complete the site works.
JLES’s award winning Adoption Management System has been successfully used by Residential Developers, Housing Associations, Commercial/Industrial Developers, Financial Institutions, Public Bodies and retail landowners, for all manner of projects from 40 year old legacy schemes through to new-build and ongoing developments.

9 Regional offices covering the whole of the UK.

Our guaranteed adoption, fixed cost system allows our clients to set estate completion budgets.

Our fixed fee, invoice on results solution eradicates the risk of intermittent, speculative contractor claims.

We will reduce the strain on your vital internal resource.

You will benefit from our long-term relationships with Local Authorities and Water Companies.

We reduced over £6.5M worth of bonds throughout 2024

What our customers say about us

“Appointing JLES on our projects meant we had more time to focus on new and future developments. The engineers provide a quality service, ensuring we receive quick responses and regular communication from the management team.”

Persimmon Homes – Adoptions Engineer

“JLES have a proven track record of achieving results for CALA Homes, whilst working on a fixed fee basis offering us autonomy and peace of mind. JLES’ excellent communication and quality of works, a maintenance certificate was issued for the S38 agreement and a bond reduction of over 800k.”

Quantity Surveyor - CALA Homes

"I find JLES to be professional in their approach and enthusiastic towards completion on their works. I like how they act with courtesy and take our interests on site into consideration whenever representing their client, JLES also communicate well in general, we are kept up to date with site progression and their engineers always present high quality of work."

Engineer - United Utilities

“I was blown away by the AGM at JLES. I have spoken at many different organisations and JLES was one of the most professional organisations I have come across. It was obvious that the company cares about its people and is very forward thinking. They look after the finer detail which is something I am very passionate about.”

Leadership & Management Director - Wigan Warriors

"JLES provide a unique solution to the construction industry when dealing with Section 38, 104, 278 adoptions. We find their approach and adoption management system unparalleled, and they provide robust proposals to enable completion certificates to be released along with associated bond reductions. They always provide regular updates, are reactive to our target timeframes and have good relations with Adopting Authorities. I have formed some good relations with their team and trust that they always have our best interests at heart. I would recommend their services to any colleagues within the housebuilding industry"

Infrastructure Manager – Crest Nicholson SW

"Chris and his team at JLES Exeter are really easy to work with. They go above and beyond to provide quick response times and are always on hand to assist with any unexpected issues. Working with JLES has been positive for us and has given us more space to focus on our main priorities and continue growing our business"

Technical Coordinator – Cavanna Homes

Frequently Asked Questions

Discover quick answers to common questions about our services and processes.

What is road and sewer adoption?

Road and sewer adoption is the process through which infrastructure on a private development is formally taken over and maintained by the relevant highway or sewerage authority. JLES helps developers address the outstanding technical, construction and remedial requirements needed to progress developments towards adoption.

What happens if a development is left unadopted?

An unadopted development will remain the developer’s responsibility until the relevant highway or sewerage authority is satisfied that the required works and documentation have been completed. This can create ongoing maintenance responsibilities, outstanding bonds, and delays to final completion. JLES investigates the reasons a development remains unadopted, establishes the outstanding requirements and delivers the works needed to progress the site.

Can JLES help with an unadopted development?

Yes. JLES can investigate unadopted developments, identify outstanding requirements and coordinate the technical, legal and construction work needed to progress the site towards adoption. This includes both recently completed developments and sites that have remained unadopted for many years.

Does JLES carry out the construction works as well as managing the adoption process?

Yes. JLES is a contractor rather than a consultancy-only service. We take responsibility for the agreed works and use our approved contractor network to deliver specialist construction activities where required, while JLES remains responsible for coordinating the works and progressing the project.

Can JLES work with our existing adoption engineer or consultant?

Yes. JLES regularly works alongside adoption engineers, consultants, housebuilders, contractors, and adopting authorities. We can take responsibility for the construction and delivery elements while maintaining the existing professional relationships on the project.Although we undertake all legacy adoptions from site completions to sites 40 years old, our post build /estate completion service can be used during the construction process with JLES acting as your main contractor and managing agent to ensures phases are completed to the adoption standard during build period.

How does Payment Upon Performance work?

JLES structure payments around agreed stages of project delivery, rather than requiring the entire cost to be paid upfront. The specific payment points depend on the scope and structure of the individual project.

Road and Sewer
Adoption Specialists
CENTRAL WEST

Road and Sewer
Adoption Specialists
CENTRAL WEST

Road and Sewer
Adoption Specialists
CENTRAL WEST

Who WE ARE