Could I build my own driveway?

[Karbea]

Hello,

Looking for some views please.

We've a fairly narrow driveway which fits our own car but when anyone visits there is no where to park. I've had a couple of quotes to extend the drive way (tarmac) to go to the right of the existing driveway and back alongside our garage, creating 2 more spaces. These have come in at around £4-6k.
I've just given up work and so these quotes are a bit read a lot OTT.

I've just been out in the garden and i'm thinking "why can't I do this", I wouldn't do tarmac obviously, but been looking at cobbles on eBay. Surely all I need to do is dig down, lay a weed membrane, aggregate and then the cobbles - no...

Anyone done this - am I being mad???

Don't know if you could do it yourself, but cobbles sounds a good idea.
The surface water will still drain away, but with tarmac it will not and then you could end up joining whole legions of people who have unexplained damp problems. It also looks nicer, I think.

The only thing is they wouldn't match the existing driveway (which is tarmac), but would match the edging around the front garden bit...

ummm...

O.K. forget the cobbles. Gravel it instead.

how about something like this?

Mousey I don't think my husband would like that.

I do like the idea of cobbles as I think they'd be quite easy to lay. It's the digging and it looks like i'd have to compound the earth down or something... Umm maybe it is harder than I think?? :(

block paving isn't too bad
the builder did it and we helped
got second hand blocks
you can hire a whacker plate (yes that's really what it's called!) from HSS, I found them really good
sure there are youtube videos

you dig down to however many inches (check youtube etc)
put down hardcore to correct depth (again find some instructions)
run whacker plate over lots so it is all squashed down really flat
then sand to correct depth and whacker again
blocks down - two this way two that way
put sand over top and brush in when it is not going to rain while you are doing it
maybe use the plate thing again? at some stage
anyway it's not rocket science

only tricky bit is if you need to cut any to go in corners and stuff. TBH if I were doing it I'd not attempt that bit and put gravel or something in the gaps
although it't prob not too too bad and you'd be able to hire a cutter thingy from HSS as well

this sort of thing they would be able to advise you in the branch though. Have found them very good/

Thanks Sardine!!!

also there are loads of people selling paving blocks on ebay for really cheap obviously you need to be able to collect them

Before you do anything I'd check with your local council. There are new rules for drives - permeable membranes to allow water to soak away rather than wash down the roads. I don't know if this is just for new drives or would include extensions.

I think RHS has some info about designing drives.

Yes that is correct you must have it permerable now. Driveways are expensive down to the amount of work, 1. dig out with machine and finish by hand - so hire and experience of using a mini digger - not easy, 2. disposal costs - inert material - you'll need a skip of some sort - now doubled in price. 3. edging which needs to be done correctly and hunched with concrete (another expensive material that can be mixed on site - need to hire mixer), hardcore delivery could need 25t of scaplings laid correctly with membrance and finsh. If you want to lock pave youll need sand which has to be levelled correctly. Tarmac is expensive you need a blinder and top course. You cant do this yourself!

Chippings are ok if laid on gravel panels - you cant do this yourself you need cutters, work out angles and allow for wastage.

Chippings cause dust and this is dragged onto floors and scratches them also damages heels on shoes.

Leave it to the professionals - you pay you get.

This is the last stuff we fitted for a new development which is permable, finished with 20mm cotswold stone (delivered from the cotswold - you need a lot! www.joostenbl.co.uk/Firmagravel-panels(2399861).htm

You can get permable tarmac but its extra expence.

What do you currently have in the area you want to extend your drive onto? If its grass you can get grass reinforcing stuff, like a heavy duty mesh which the grass grows through, which makes it OK for occasional car use - might be a cheaper option

My Dad did his drive about 10yrs ago, my 2 brothers helped and I think it took them 2-3days. As Sardine says, dig a lot, fill with hardcore and pack down a lot, repeat!
It looks good still