Is this driveway unlevel as poor sub base or because of drainage and natural landscape around the ho

Socialworkguy

Our driveway before from when we brought was this deep and dense concrete with stones mixed all in and the drive did slightly decend as it does now from the street towards the house, but next door have just had there's done and for the most part it is one level, where as there are clear curves and dips in our driveway, my question is are the dips just following the level of the land under the concrete that was pulled up or is this a bad job. Arent they supposed to make it all on level in the prep stage? I'm thinking the latter as other aspects of this job (fencing, wall and patio) were not done to a good standard. P.s the drainage is at the front under the windowsill where it dips. But then the part behind the gate is one level paved and also has drainage so makes me question why the front is dipping. Only completed August 2020

EssexExile

It looks fine in the pictures. The drive should slope towards drains or the footpath to shed water, as long as water doesn't pool anywhere I'd be happy with it. If they've done a bad job, not doing the preparation properly, you'll probably know about it in a year or two when it all starts moving.

Socialworkguy

FreeBear

A very good resource for all things paving - https://www.pavingexpert.com/bpvseq01

Once your concrete had been removed, a check should have been made to see how deep the hardcore layer was - If there was any doubt as to the suitability, it should have been dug out and a new layer put down & compacted.

The slabs forming the pathway have been poorly laid. No attention paid to the gaps, and a haphazard gradient. 

neilmcl

The issue that you have is the pavement is clearly higher than the front of your property so there's very little they can do to create a slope away from your house all the way the pavement. As long as it doesn't pool anywhere against the front of your house then you should be OK.

Are these blocks the porous/permeable type or standard? They look pretty much standard to me, did you have to seek planning permission?

welshmoneylover

not not an expert but the driveway looks good; as for the patio stones it does look a bit crap due to the large gaps left by the grouting! It’s so difficult to find a good landscaper hope you don’t have any pooling!