Putting in a drive - what have you got and would you recommend it?

Wizwoo

Hello,

We've been given the OK to put a drive in for our house but have been told that we must use a contractor suggested by the council. The list is huge so plenty of choice.

My question is what sort of drive should we put in. It's not a very large area (enough for our 2 small cars) and we want to make sure that there is plenty of drainage.

Plus we want to keep the cost down - any ideas what sort of price we are likely to be looking at? (Anyone done anything similar?)

Thanks,
Ww x

Stevie1

We've had gravel before, and really like it. I know some people hate it though.

It's better for the environment than paving as water seep through and f you do it right, there shouldn't be a weed problem. It's also much cheaper than block paving/ slabs/ concrete imprint.

woodbutcher_2

You're looking at between £60 and £80 a square mt for block paving.At my last house i had blocked paved edging and concrete infill.My mate did it for me so not sure on the cost but it will be cheaper than the blocks.Looks good as well.Had gravel in the rest of the garden behind the front wall.Nice contrast.

wallbash

If you can afford it , block paving .

Pauls

We used to have gravel and while it looks nice etc it's a pain in the behind to maintain. You cant sweep it, weeds grow through it, and then you get the problem of filthy vermin (aka next doors cats) taking a dump in it

We just had around 60sqm block paved, at around £55 a square metre

El_Sid_III

Wizwoo wrote: »

We've been given the OK to put a drive in for our house but have been told that we must use a contractor suggested by the council. The list is huge so plenty of choice.

Forgive my ignorance, but what has it to do with the council?

I like block paving. All the ones I've done look great. Just make sure the sub-base and edging is right and it shouldn't sink or spread.

adaze

I can't imagine the council would specify the drive you can have, unless its a council house or in a conservation area. I think they are probably referring you to the contractor list for the crossover, i.e. the area of the footway that your drive will traverse. This will need to be strengthened to take the weight of a car, which they'll make you pay for, anywhere between £600 - £2000 depending on how big the footway is and if there is a verge.

IMAO blockpaving (done well) is best. For cheaper options you could tarmac, or gravel it. I don't like concrete.

ic

Consider block paving - the cracks between will allow light showers to just drain between the blocks through the sand. When getting contractors in, ask them how deep the foundations will be, and what layers they'll be made up of.

The driveway I had done is 15" thick - 10" hardcore/MOT, 2" grit sand, 3" blocks. When I asked him he told me it would be 10" thick total, but I think he over estimated on the hardcore delivery! The driveway was dug down all over to the same level, before being filled back up.

When I asked some people, the foundations differed. One guy walked around stamping the ground saying "well its soft here, so we'll dig that, but over here its good and firm, so we'll just build on top of that" :eek:

Jonesya

I found this site a while back, it's very good with lots of information on the different sorts of paving and surfaces:

http://www.pavingexpert.com/home.htm

vansboy

We'll be going for gravel in www.theupsidedownhouse.9f.com

Plus points being cost, security (you'll hear anyone driving/walking on it) appearence & maintainence.

As mentioned, it will need raking back & topping up now & again, but it's got to cover a big area for us & will cost loads less than block paving.

If you do choose blocks, make sure the installer is a member of the Marshalls Register http://www.marshalls.co.uk/ as this gives a reasonable warranty & the chance for it to be put right, if it goes wrong!!

VB

dander

I'm doing mine soon and I'm going for gravel - using 20mm gravel to make it less likely to spread and catch in car tyres, and unappealing to cats.

Personally I hate the look of block paving - it looks like municiple carparks to me.

But if you were tempted to go for blocks - make sure you get a really good fitter to do it - I would ask to see examples of work - preferably not too recent. When that stuff's badly laid it moves, sinks and the cracks fill with weeds - looks terrible.