Block paving driveways
Concrete or clay blocks on a compacted stone base, laid in herringbone or bonded patterns that lock together under the weight of a car.
Per square metre laidfrom $85
Paving that drains, on a base that lasts
Setstone lays driveways, patios and paths in block, natural stone and asphalt. We visit, take levels, explain where the rain will go and send a written quote with a drawing before anyone digs.
10 yearsguarantee on block paving
3 daysto a written quote
Levelstaken before we price
- Site visit with levels taken
- Drainage planned first
- Driveways, patios, paths
- Quote with a drawing
What we lay
Starting prices include digging out, the compacted base and edging on a site with clear access. The written quote confirms the figure after the visit.
Natural stone patios
Sandstone, slate or granite flags bedded on a full mortar bed, with steps and edges cut on site to suit the garden.
Per square metre laidfrom $110
Asphalt driveways
Two coats of hot asphalt rolled over a deep base, finished with block or kerb edges that hold the surface in place.
Per square metre laidfrom $60
Permeable paving
Blocks with open joints over a clean stone base, so rain soaks into the ground instead of running onto the road.
Per square metre laidfrom $95
Paths and steps
Winding garden walks, side passages and steps in stone, clay or block, set to falls so they stay dry underfoot.
Per metre of pathfrom $140
Repairs and relaying
Sunken or rocking blocks lifted, the base under them rebuilt, and the same blocks relaid and jointed.
First areafrom $380
Soil and old paving we dig out are taken away in the price. Tight access through a house or a narrow gate is priced on the visit.
Block, stone or asphalt
Each surface has a different character and a different kind of upkeep. This is how we explain them on the site visit.
| Surface | Living with it | Keeping it right |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete block | Hard wearing, many colours, single blocks can be lifted and relaid | Brush, top up the jointing sand, clean oil spills quickly |
| Clay pavers | The colour runs right through, so it keeps its look for decades | Brush and pull the odd weed from the joints |
| Granite setts | Heavy and textured, with good grip on slopes | Repoint the joints every several years |
| Sandstone or slate flags | Best on patios and paths rather than under cars | A gentle wash; sealing is a choice, not a must |
| Asphalt | Smooth, quick to lay and quiet under tyres | Keep the edges firm and reseal the surface over the years |
| Permeable block | Rain soaks through the joints into the base | Keep the gravel joints topped up and open |
Where the rain goes
Every surface we lay has somewhere for the water to go. We set a gentle fall away from the house, add channel drains where a slope runs toward a garage or a door, and lead the water into a soakaway, a planted bed or a permeable base. Rules on draining paved front gardens vary by country and by city, and in some places a hard surface that sheds rain onto the road needs permission, so we check before we quote.
- Levels taken with a laser on the site visit
- Falls and drains marked on the quote drawing
- Paving kept well below the house's damp course
- Soakaways dug where the ground will take the water
Written into every driveway quote
A cheap driveway is usually a thin one. These are the stages our quote names, so you can compare it fairly with others.
- Digging out to the right depth
- Soil and old surface taken away
- Membrane where the ground is soft
- Crushed stone base, compacted in layers
- Edge restraints set in concrete
- Channel drains and gullies
- Jointing sand or mortar
- Clean down and care notes
Recent driveways, patios and paths
Each one was photographed on the day the barriers came down and the owners could walk on it.
How a driveway goes down
Site visit
Levels taken, access checked, drainage options talked through.
Quote and drawing
Surface, pattern, falls and drains drawn and priced in writing.
Dig and base
Ground dug out, stone base laid and compacted layer by layer.
Edges and laying
Edges set first, then the blocks, flags or asphalt go down.
Joints and handover
Jointed, compacted, cleaned, and the care notes handed over.
From driveways we have laid (example reviews)
The old drive sent every storm into the garage. The new one falls toward a channel drain by the door, and the garage has stayed dry all winter.
Their quote was not the cheapest, but it was the only one that said how deep the base would be. Three years on, not a single block has moved.
The sandstone patio and steps were cut around an old apple tree we wanted to keep. The crew covered the lawn every evening and left it as they found it.
Questions people ask on the site visit
How long does a driveway take?
Most driveways take three to five working days, depending on the size, the surface and how much has to be dug out. Asphalt is usually quicker than block or stone.
When can we drive on it?
Block paving can usually take a car once it has been jointed and compacted. Asphalt and mortar bedded stone need a day or more to firm up, and we tell you the exact time on handover.
Does a new driveway need permission?
It depends on where you live. Rules on draining paved front gardens, and on cutting a new entrance from the road, are set locally and differ between countries and even neighbouring towns. Our estimator explains what has applied on nearby jobs, and the local authority confirms it.
Will weeds grow through the joints?
Seeds blown into the joints can sprout over time on any paving. A membrane under the base, well filled joints and a brush now and then keep them to a minimum.
Can you lay over old concrete?
Sometimes, for a patio on sound concrete with enough height below the damp course. Driveways are usually dug out, because the old slab hides the depth and the drainage we need to see.
How do deposits work?
A 20 percent deposit books the start date and orders the materials. The rest is due on handover, paid to us directly.
Ask for a paving quote
Describe the area and what you would like to lay. We call back within a working day to book a site visit.
- Written quote and drawing within 3 working days
- Drainage explained before you decide
- Prefer to talk? Call +44 20 7946 0115
Reach the Setstone yard
Site visits run on weekdays and Saturday mornings. The yard office answers calls during the hours below.
Phone or email
Homes across the city and the countryside within 45 km
Yard office hours
| Monday to Friday | 07:30 to 17:30 |
| Saturday | 08:00 to 12:00, site visits |
| Sunday | Closed |
Where we lay
Homes across the city and the countryside within 45 km. Further away, we name the travel cost before the site visit is booked.