Block paving prices can fluctuate considerably between areas and paving contractors. It is a competitive market out there and many contractors are reducing their prices to win work. This is of course is great for the customer right now and the cheapest can be attractive today but there are things to consider before deciding who you choose for your driveway construction.
With the price of materials increasing, lower quotes can often result in cutting corners to win the job!!!
If you are paying, regardless of the price, you want your driveway to be constructed properly and professionally so it lasts – none of us want to pay twice so here’s a few things to look out for:
Driveway Construction Stages
Initial consultation
The contractor will discuss the processes and paving options, carry out a full site inspection and advise on any particular issues / areas that may be of concern and offer possible solutions.
The contractor will check the levels and gradients and which way the water flows. If the ground flows back to the property, then correct drainage measures must be taken. This can be achieved with aco channels leading to a soak-away. The contractor will establish the best fall for the driveway to prevent water collecting or running towards the property, which could ultimately cause damp problems.
Next –
Offer some design advice and the best colour and style of block for your driveway that compliments the house. Getting guidance with design can really help turn your project from a lovely driveway into a beautiful first impression of your home.
Next –
Provide you with a written quotation
Next –
On accepting the quotation, the contractor will provide you with a potential start date. This can change due to many factors such as weather, increased work on previous jobs etc. It’s important to have reasonable flexibility with contractors, pressure to start/complete may lead to rushing jobs. All professional contractors will aim to carry out works as close to the date and within the time allotted as best possible without compromising the craftsmanship of their work for you and all their customers.
Next –
Excavation of the ground should be to a maximum depth of 250mm (at this point drainage will be prepared if required)
Next –
MOT or known as the sub base layer – this is a crushed aggregate from 40mm to dust that is used to provide the foundation of your driveway. This should be placed out in layers, each being compressed using a whacker plate to achieve the strongest base structure for the load it will hold. If this is not carried out correctly you will have a sunken driveway before long.
Next –
A layer of sharp sand will be placed and screed to create a smooth flat surface ready for laying the blocks
Next –
Finally, the laying of your chosen block paving and a kiln dried sand swept across the driveway.
It’s all in the detail! – We go the extra mile..
We take pride in our work and go the extra mile.
We use a disc cutter to create the straight neat lines of each block we cut. You can use a block cutter but the finish is not as precise and you can end up with a more ‘frayed’ edge to the block paver.
We focus on the corners, our cuts are mitred, a small but important detail when constructing a driveway.
We are careful and considerate and cover areas to protect existing landscape elements of our customers. We work with a respectful approach to both our customers property and public paths/ roads.
Our team of pavers are specialists in block paving and work politely with all our customers, understanding, it is a small intrusion during the construction phase and aim to move as tidily and respectfully as possible.
We are not the cheapest but we deliver the best, we look forward to receiving your call.
You can expect to pay from £95 per squared meter for a standard block.