Driveway - What is best

[Cooper34]

I want to renew my driveway and have had quotes for tarmac, concrete and block paving. All the contractors tell me each of the one they do is best. I simply want a drive that will cope with 2 -3 cars (including my new Jag), look good and have fairly low maintenance, dont mind the occasional wash and brush up. My drive is approx 85sq meters and I have been quoted between £5K and £9K for block paving and £6k to £7K for concrete or tarmac. Why such a variance on the block and what should I realistically be looking at as a cost for a good job. Finally can anyone recommend a good contractor for the work in Essex

[lutonlagerlout]

on my current pricing structure it would be £5950 +VAT for 60mm concrete block paves (approx)
the only issue really with block paves is that the concrete ones fade over time
have you not thought about 20mm shingle ?
easy to maintain and a bit of extra security as no one can sneak up a shingle drive
concrete can look a bit monolithic on a drive your size although it can be done nicely in bays with bricks to break it up
sorry cannot recommend anyone in essex ,but generally drive around and look at drives that look the business ,knock the door and ask the owner who did it and what they were like.
most reputable firms wont ask for a lot of money up front
hope this helps
tony

[Cooper34]

Thanks for the guidelines Tony, didnt really want shingle because of the noise and mess the stone can make. You mention that concrete blocks fade but what about the clay ones and would they be much dearer?

[lutonlagerlout]

the actual clay blocks are approx double the price of concrete but this has little impact on the price because the dig etc remains the same so it would be about £6800 +VAT
if the drive is relatively flat shingle works fine (20mm) as long as it has a sub base and edgings all round it is not too messy and it is too big to get caught in shoes
a lot of people just throw pea shingle (5-10 mm) on top of their drive and wonder why it goes everywhere?
personally i would always go for clay pavers but its surprising how many ppl dont want to go that extra yard for a finish that lasts
regards tony

[Dave_L]

One word - Tarmac! :;):

[lutonlagerlout]

yes tarmac is great if done right

[Cooper34]

Dave_L, why do you favour tarmac? we have 3 manholes and relevant drainage under the drive and in the past have experienced the occasional blockage. Just worried if in the future the drive needs to be "dug up". At least with block we could perhaps get away with only having to remove and replace where necessary whereas tarmac once repaired always seems to leave a "scar"

Lutonlagerlout, if the additional cost for clay is fairly minimal I take on board your comments and will insist on clay as I do want the drive and colur to last. Thanks

[lutonlagerlout]

cooper
thats negative mate worrying about digging up your drive,if the drains aint right replace them before you do the drive,with polypipe its a lot cheaper than it was
all foul runs should be roddable so if it blocks you should just be able to rod it from a manhole
regards tony

[Dave_L]

I'm pro-tarmac as that is my trade!

Block - yes - you can lift them to effect a drainage repair but they never sit back down properly afterwards........

As above - sort the drainage beforehand!

[Cooper34]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I would also prefer tarmac but "she who must be obeyed" prefers the patterns you can get with block. Says tarmac wil make the drive look like a car park.

Ah well!!

[lutonlagerlout]

perhaps you should explain to her that a drive IS a car park
LMAO
tony