Replacing a garden path

trailingspouse

Not sure if this should be here or in the gardening section - but as it doesn't involve plants, I've opted to put it here. Feel free to move it if I was wrong!!

The path that runs from our front gate to our front door is way past its use-by date. The house is Edwardian, and looking at other houses on the street is likely to have had a tiled path originally. Sadly at some point in its history someone has seen fit to lay tarmac instead :eek:

This tarmac has now deteriorated, and frankly looks a mess. I would like to have all of this taken up, a strange slope up to the front door sorted out (I think it needs a step instead), and (depending on the cost) have tiles laid that would be in keeping with the house. Or if that's too expensive, at least something that looks nicer than elderly tarmac.

Who would be best placed to do this sort of work? A builder? A landscape gardener? Someone who does block paved driveways? Ideally I would want someone who can not only do the work but can give me a bit of advice on how to achieve the look I'm going for.

d0nkeyk0ng

Round here that would be a driveway company but depends on whether it's a big enough project for them.

TheCyclingProgrammer

Any decent landscaping firm (or self employed landscaper) would be able to do this, as would a driveway company.

If you want a DIY option, you could probably very easily make a gravel path using something like this to stablise it and prevent weed growth:

http://www.corelp.co.uk/core-path/

TonyMMM

Are you certain the original tiles aren't still there under the tarmac ?

phil24_7

You may find that there is a step and tile flooring under the tarmac. Perhaps the tarmac was installed to help someone with a wheelchair etc get into the house?

phil24_7

I would have a dig at one of the worst bits to see what is beneath!

trailingspouse

Many thanks for all the replies.

Yes, I'm hoping against hope that there are tiles underneath, but if there are I'm not sure what state they will be in once we get the tarmac up. Makes more sense to plan for there being none, or not being usable.

And yes, I'm not sure it would be a big enough job for a block paver guy. I guess next step is to find a couple and ask them. I don't want gravel - but if I can't have tiles, I'm really not sure what the other options might be. This is where a professional would come in handy.

I think I need to take a walk up the road and see what other people have done - one or two have tiles, but it's hard to tell if they are original or a modern version of the original. No-one would mind if I took a camera and started making notes would they??

Newly_retired

I have just had three tradesmen round to discuss our drive and they were all very helpful. It is not a massive job, but they listened and addressed any questions and concerns of mine, though I don't have any tiles to consider.
All three advertised under Driveways, but also did landscaping.
Hope this helps.