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Brick / Block Paving specialists - what you need to know

What does block paving involve?

Block paving is a very common way to pave your driveway. The method uses bricks, or larger paving stones, but the method is the same.

The benefit of using bricks is that they’re easily replaced if one or two get damaged over time.

There are several stages to laying a block paving drive. First up, your paving specialist should find out where all the service pipes and cables are for your property – water, gas, and electricity – so that nothing gets damaged during the work.

Next up is to dig out the area where the driveway will be, as well as to lay down the edges so that, once complete, everything will stay exactly where it is.

Drainage needs to be considered at this stage too, making sure there’s no water build-up that would affect your home, other properties, or that would require planning permission to sort.

At this point a sub-base will be laid – maybe concrete but more likely an aggregate substance. This is the foundation of your drive and will keep everything level.

A layer of sand is next, which will be compacted and flattened to create a level bed for the bricks or paving stones being used for the drive.

The bricks are then laid tightly across the sand before being flattened again.

Lastly, another layer of fine sand is poured across the bricks to fill all the joints and gaps between the bricks. This is all flattened for a final time to firm up the driveway and bed it all nicely into place.

Costs for block paving installation work

• Up to 40m² - £100 per m²
• 40-70m² - £85 per m²
• Over 100m² - £75 per m²

The qualifications your tradesperson needs

Block paving specialists usually gain their experience through courses, apprenticeships or on-the-job training. The key to an excellent driveway is a solid foundation and good workmanship at every stage of laying it. Always check references and ask to speak to previous clients.

Planning permission for block paving jobs

If your driveway slants towards your house, you’ll need drainage to keep the water away from soaking into your foundations and brickwork. If your drainage is piped away into sewers you’ll need planning permission, so you should ask your block paving specialist about a soakaway.

A soakaway is an area within the boundary of your property, where water can safely drain to and soak back into the ground. It’s essentially a hole, dug in an area where it’s safe for water to drain. They then place a membrane for the water to drain to, covering it up completely. It requires no maintenance or access, so you can cover it with whatever you want.

If you stick to that, then you won’t need planning permission for a driveway, but as ever, the planning portal is where you should be looking for all the official advice.

Insurance for block paving work

Your driveway paver should have public liability insurance which will protect you and your property should any damage occur.

Questions you should ask your block paving specialist

• Do they have public liability insurance and what does this cover?
• How long have they been trading for?
• Can they give you up to 3 references of recent work they’ve completed?
• Will they give a guarantee/warranty for the work and how long does it last?
• Will they source all materials and equipment?
• Will they be using a sub-base, and what material will it be?