Driveway Installation in Norfolk and Suffolk
Block paving, resin and concrete driveways across Norfolk and Suffolk
Hilton & Green Landscaping lays block paving, resin-bound and concrete driveways across Norfolk and Suffolk.
A drive has to carry the weight of a car every day for years, so whatever the surface, the work that decides how long it lasts is underneath it. A drive that ruts, sinks or cracks early has almost always been laid on a thin or badly compacted base, and that is the one part of the job that cannot be put right without digging it all up again.
We go through the surface options at the first visit. Each has a different cost, look and upkeep, and the right one depends on the house, the budget and practical things like drainage, especially if the drive is going over what used to be front lawn.
What's included
- Excavation and removal of existing surface
- Compacted sub-base installation
- Edge restraint installation
- Surface laying: block, resin or concrete
- Drainage channel where required
- Sealing (resin surfaces)
- Waste removal
How we work
-
Survey and planning
We assess the existing surface, drainage, levels and access. We discuss surface options, edging and any drainage channels required.
-
Excavation
We excavate to the depth required for the chosen surface plus sub-base. Old materials are removed and disposed of.
-
Sub-base and edging
MOT Type 1 sub-base is laid and compacted in layers. Edge restraints are installed to the correct levels.
-
Surface installation
Block paving is laid to pattern, cut and compacted with kiln-dried sand brushed in. Resin-bound surface is mixed on site and trowelled to a consistent depth. Concrete is poured and finished to falls.
-
Finishing
Resin driveways are left to cure before use. Block paving is given a final compact and sand brush. We clean the site and remove all waste.
Block paving, resin or concrete
Block paving is the traditional choice across Norfolk. It looks right on most houses, a damaged block can be lifted and replaced, and the joints let some water through. Weeds can get into the joints over time. A polymeric jointing sand helps a lot, but the joints will still want attention now and again.
Resin-bound gravel is smooth and fully permeable, so it meets the rules for front gardens without extra drainage. It needs laying well to last. It is not the same as resin-bonded, which looks similar but has loose stone on a solid layer and is not permeable, and that difference matters for planning.
Concrete is hard-wearing and low maintenance and suits a simple layout. It offers less choice of look than block paving, and imprinted or coloured finishes can date faster than plain ones.
What affects the cost of a driveway
The area and the surface come first. After that the biggest cost is usually the dig: breaking out the old drive or lawn, taking it away, and putting down a sub-base deep enough for vehicles. A drive for a van or a motorhome needs more depth than one for a small car.
Edging and kerbs, drainage channels across the entrance, steps or ramps to the front door, and any cutting around manholes and inspection covers all add to it. So does access for a digger and a lorry. A new dropped kerb is a separate cost, paid to the council or its approved contractor.
We price every job after seeing it, and the visit and quote are free.
Planning and dropped kerbs
In a front garden, a hard surface over 5 square metres needs planning permission unless it is permeable, such as resin-bound stone, permeable block paving or gravel, or the water runs off onto a lawn or border.
If you will drive over a pavement or verge to reach the drive, you need a dropped kerb approved by the county council as highway authority. A new or widened entrance onto a classified road, such as an A road, also needs planning permission. At a listed building, speak to the council before anything is booked.
Common questions
Have a question not answered here? Get in touch and we will be happy to help.
Which driveway surface is best?
It depends on the house and the budget. Block paving is traditional and easy to repair, resin-bound is smooth and fully permeable, and concrete is hard-wearing and low maintenance.
How long does a new driveway take?
Most take between one and three days once work starts, depending on the size, the surface and how much has to be dug out. Resin needs time to cure before you drive on it.
Do I need planning permission for a new driveway?
Not if it is permeable or drains onto a lawn or border. A solid surface over 5 square metres that drains onto the road needs permission, and so does a new entrance onto an A road.
Do I need a dropped kerb?
Yes, if you will drive across a pavement or verge to get onto the drive. It needs county council approval, and the council will tell you who can do the work on the pavement.
What is the difference between resin-bound and resin-bonded?
Resin-bound mixes the stone into the resin, giving a smooth, permeable surface. Resin-bonded scatters stone onto a resin coat over a solid base, so it is not permeable and can shed loose stone.
How do I stop weeds in block paving?
A polymeric jointing sand at laying time does most of the work. After that, keep the joints topped up and brush them through now and again.
Get a free driveway quote
Free, no-obligation quotes. We cover Norfolk and Suffolk.
In our customers' words
Genuine reviews from clients across Norfolk and Suffolk
-
★★★★★
Ben and Ed at Hilton & Green have done amazing and difficult landscaping jobs for me in the past few years, from erecting a fence close to the house in a challenging setting, to a transformational soft landscaping project at the rear of the sloping garden. The guys are very professional and the results are stunning. I highly recommend Hilton & Green for your landscaping requirements.
George Smithon Google
-
★★★★★
Hilton and Green Landscaping have done wonders to our driveway and fencing. Their work is competent and professional. They are both very friendly and knowledgeable in how to make your ideas practical.
Scott Leamonon Google
-
★★★★★
We are so pleased we found Ben and Edd to put in our new patio. They have done an awesome job. They are two of the nicest people we have met and their work is exemplary. From start to finish the guys were brilliant at their work and the end result is awesome. Would highly recommend Hilton and Green to everyone. Two thumbs up for excellent work!
Su Eyleson Google
We lay driveways across Norfolk and Suffolk. Most of our work is in and around Norwich, Long Stratton, Diss and Wymondham, and we travel further for the right job.