How much would a block paving driveway cost?

Rich · 27th May 2007, 17:18

Not wishing to be hounded by sales reps for the rest of the year, can anyone give me a ballpark figure for a block paving driveway?

Rough area would be 10 square meters if that helps

This kind of thing:

briantilley · 27th May 2007, 17:53

We had our drive done with block paving recently. It's about 65 sq metres, and cost us about £5,000 all in. One thing we found was the quotes varied a LOT - the most expensive was about 3 times the cheapest, and we didn't reckon the cheapest was the best value.

Make sure you get shown some actual work done by the company (and installation team) you choose, before committing yourself.

Rich · 27th May 2007, 17:55

Sound advice there Brian, I was debating asking them (nearer the time) for a couple of addresses I could go and inspect

Simon W · 27th May 2007, 18:02

Rich

I had one laid at my last house (I think it worked out at about £50 a square metre) but I wouldn't use block paving again - weeds, ants and anything else that grows or crawls will pop through after a while.

Then there's the problem of getting someone good enough to lay it properly. Mine looked ok for a few months then it sank in various places. Rubbish!

If I were doing it again I'd put a 6" concrete layer down first, then use tarmac or imprinted concrete over the top. Imprinted concrete looks terrific if it's the right colour/pattern and is done properly.

Also, I wouldn't use any so-called 'drive expert' unless you've seen their work at another house and spoken to the owner of the house.

These people are very helpful and will give you some unbiased advice if you ask them. (I contacted Tony by email):

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

NB. See home page for other types of drive & links to everything.

Rich · 27th May 2007, 18:05

Cheers Simon!

Would they come with some sort of warranty against sinking?

Problem there I guess would be getting them to honour it. Soooo many "rouge traders" around these days

Simon W · 27th May 2007, 18:12

They might give you a guarantee but I doubt it'll be worth the paper it's written on.

The other thing I forgot to say - don't use anyone who asks for a deposit up front.

If I were you I would talk to Tony at the aformementioned website. He does know what he's talking about and likes to help people even though he knows they're not going to use his company to do the work.

Rich · 27th May 2007, 18:18

The Imprinted concrete is amazing, I didn't even know such a thing existed!

Hmmm

Simon W · 27th May 2007, 19:05

If it's done properly I think it's streets ahead of anything else but it has to be laid by an expert outfit.

You can have more or less any colour you like. The colour compound is mixed in with the concrete so it goes all the way through. The more subtle colours look fantastic. The imprint pattern makes a big difference too - you can mimic any sort of surface from cobbles to crazy paving.

See if you can find somewhere (a big garden centre perhaps) that has some demo surfaces laid. There used to be one called 'Worlds End' at Aylesbury/Wendover but they've changed hands now.

Some interesting pics here:

http://www.drivewaydesigns.co.uk/examples.htm

http://www.drivewaydesigns.co.uk/designs.htm

Simon W · 27th May 2007, 19:12

Another interesting one here:

http://www.driveway.org.uk/gallery.htm

(see auto scrolling pic window)

Simon W · 27th May 2007, 20:29

PS

Rich - do a lot of research and hunting about before you decide what to go for. Don't do what I did and make a snap decision - the block paving I ended up with was really poor. (So is the block paving at my new house - which was already laid when I bought the place).

27th May 2007, 17:18	#1
Rich Posted a thing or two http://Roadca.ms - Letting you see what they see! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yup Posts: 1,786 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	How much would a block paving driveway cost? Not wishing to be hounded by sales reps for the rest of the year, can anyone give me a ballpark figure for a block paving driveway? Rough area would be 10 square meters if that helps This kind of thing: __________________ https://VehicleGPS.UK http://www.MotorwayCameras.co.uk

27th May 2007, 17:53	#2
briantilley Avid contributor ZT 160+ 1.8T Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Marldon, Devon Posts: 198 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	We had our drive done with block paving recently. It's about 65 sq metres, and cost us about £5,000 all in. One thing we found was the quotes varied a LOT - the most expensive was about 3 times the cheapest, and we didn't reckon the cheapest was the best value. Make sure you get shown some actual work done by the company (and installation team) you choose, before committing yourself. __________________ Welsh MG Enthusiast

27th May 2007, 17:55	#3
Rich Posted a thing or two http://Roadca.ms - Letting you see what they see! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yup Posts: 1,786 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	Sound advice there Brian, I was debating asking them (nearer the time) for a couple of addresses I could go and inspect __________________ https://VehicleGPS.UK http://www.MotorwayCameras.co.uk

27th May 2007, 18:05	#5
Rich Posted a thing or two http://Roadca.ms - Letting you see what they see! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yup Posts: 1,786 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	Cheers Simon! Would they come with some sort of warranty against sinking? Problem there I guess would be getting them to honour it. Soooo many "rouge traders" around these days __________________ https://VehicleGPS.UK http://www.MotorwayCameras.co.uk

27th May 2007, 18:18	#7
Rich Posted a thing or two http://Roadca.ms - Letting you see what they see! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yup Posts: 1,786 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 1 Post	The Imprinted concrete is amazing, I didn't even know such a thing existed! Hmmm __________________ https://VehicleGPS.UK http://www.MotorwayCameras.co.uk

27th May 2007, 18:02	#4
Simon W This is my second home Rover 75 2.0 Litre Club Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: S Posts: 3,280 Thanks: 38 Thanked 50 Times in 47 Posts	Rich I had one laid at my last house (I think it worked out at about £50 a square metre) but I wouldn't use block paving again - weeds, ants and anything else that grows or crawls will pop through after a while. Then there's the problem of getting someone good enough to lay it properly. Mine looked ok for a few months then it sank in various places. Rubbish! If I were doing it again I'd put a 6" concrete layer down first, then use tarmac or imprinted concrete over the top. Imprinted concrete looks terrific if it's the right colour/pattern and is done properly. Also, I wouldn't use any so-called 'drive expert' unless you've seen their work at another house and spoken to the owner of the house. These people are very helpful and will give you some unbiased advice if you ask them. (I contacted Tony by email): http://www.pavingexpert.com/concrete.htm NB. See home page for other types of drive & links to everything.

27th May 2007, 18:12	#6
Simon W This is my second home Rover 75 2.0 Litre Club Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: S Posts: 3,280 Thanks: 38 Thanked 50 Times in 47 Posts	They might give you a guarantee but I doubt it'll be worth the paper it's written on. The other thing I forgot to say - don't use anyone who asks for a deposit up front. If I were you I would talk to Tony at the aformementioned website. He does know what he's talking about and likes to help people even though he knows they're not going to use his company to do the work.

27th May 2007, 19:05	#8
Simon W This is my second home Rover 75 2.0 Litre Club Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: S Posts: 3,280 Thanks: 38 Thanked 50 Times in 47 Posts	If it's done properly I think it's streets ahead of anything else but it has to be laid by an expert outfit. You can have more or less any colour you like. The colour compound is mixed in with the concrete so it goes all the way through. The more subtle colours look fantastic. The imprint pattern makes a big difference too - you can mimic any sort of surface from cobbles to crazy paving. See if you can find somewhere (a big garden centre perhaps) that has some demo surfaces laid. There used to be one called 'Worlds End' at Aylesbury/Wendover but they've changed hands now. Some interesting pics here: http://www.drivewaydesigns.co.uk/examples.htm http://www.drivewaydesigns.co.uk/designs.htm

27th May 2007, 19:12	#9
Simon W This is my second home Rover 75 2.0 Litre Club Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: S Posts: 3,280 Thanks: 38 Thanked 50 Times in 47 Posts	Another interesting one here: http://www.driveway.org.uk/gallery.htm (see auto scrolling pic window)

27th May 2007, 20:29	#10
Simon W This is my second home Rover 75 2.0 Litre Club Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: S Posts: 3,280 Thanks: 38 Thanked 50 Times in 47 Posts	PS Rich - do a lot of research and hunting about before you decide what to go for. Don't do what I did and make a snap decision - the block paving I ended up with was really poor. (So is the block paving at my new house - which was already laid when I bought the place).