how to replace a driveway on a budget?

[poocatcherchampion]

we have a very inconvenient driveway currently which should be in and out and hold at least 3 cars. there is an overlarge lawn patch, a series of low walls and wonky slabs to negotiate instead.

I want it basically all gone and a mini car park in its place - I reckon we could get more like 8 cars on in a more basic configuration.

the first quote we've had is 3k which is more than we have got. the chap suggested gravel is cheaper than tarmac but didn't quote for it so I know that is an option.

is doing the stripping out ourselves going to make a difference? what else could we consider

thanks!

Missing the point but do you really want 8 cars parked in front (or even to the side or back) of your house? Mini car park is not a great look.

We had to get planning permission for ours (not done the work yet, apart from the dropped curb which was the reason for PP). We were told we had to have a soakaway and strip drains built in as you are no longer allowed to have water running off your property. We were also told we had to keep the lawn as we are in a conservation area, even though it is in a very sorry state! The planners agreed to our compromise of changing it to a planting area and making the parking area bigger to allow us to turn round on the drive. We live on an A road so not allowed to have a drive which would necessitate reversing on our off (newish planning regs).

So check with your planning office/building regs before you do anything!

we don't need to park 8 cars often but I'm trying to illustrate that we can only get 2 or 3 at a push on because of the way it is currently designed. we also currently have to either reverse on or off the main road, again unnecessary with the space afforded. also 2 x dropped kerbs already so no issues there.

I understand about drainage etc - has anyone got ideas about a budget approach?

Get a chap with a mini digger to dig out for you. Lay the membrane yourself. Get builders merchant to dump gravel for you and rake out. Shouldn't cost more than £1.5k. Your big cost is dumping the earth. Gravel should mean you don't need to worry about planning. You might need to get someone to lay you a lip to keep the gravel in too. I think gravel looks nice

We have recently had our drive extended by having the front garden dug up, various shrubs, low wall and steps taken out. We have just put MOT type 1 down (kind of base material) as we are in the process of doing lots of internal house jobs first. However, like you, we live on an A road and couldn't reverse on or off easily and with two inexperienced young drivers in my family, I felt it was a priority to enable easy access for five cars. We will probably use gravel or tarmac later on to finish it off as I think that is a cheaper option than imprinted concrete or block paving. However, just having the work done so far has cost nearly £3k so maybe your quote was reasonable, depending on the size involved. Sorry if that doesn't help.