Paths & Driveways
A surface that stays level, drains properly and looks right from the day it is laid.
What Goes Wrong
Most driveway and path failures trace back to decisions made before the surface material was even chosen.
Laying a new finish over a broken or shallow sub-base produces cracking and sinking within a few years, regardless of the surface material chosen.
The ground is excavated to the correct depth for the surface type and load, then a compacted sub-base is laid before any finish material goes down.
A surface without drainage channels or a permeable finish pushes water onto the highway, which can breach Building Regulations and cause neighbour disputes.
Drainage channels, permeable surface options and surface water routing are confirmed at the survey stage and quoted as a separate line item.
Gravel migrates and block paving spreads without adequate edging, particularly on narrow Cambridge front plots where there is little room for error.
Edging and kerbing are specified for each surface type and quoted separately, keeping the finished area contained and the boundary neat.
Starting driveway work without confirming Cambridgeshire highway access rules can mean the finished surface cannot be legally used for vehicle access.
Dropped kerb requirements and local authority highway access rules are checked at survey before the scope of work is finalised.
Surface Options
Each surface type suits different budgets, uses and drainage requirements, all quoted with sub-base and edging included.
Individual units laid on a compacted sub-base with jointing sand; damaged units can be replaced without disturbing the whole surface.
Permeable, smooth finish bonded to a solid base; meets Building Regulations drainage requirements and needs minimal upkeep.
Cost-effective for larger areas; laid with drainage channels where a permeable surface is not specified.
Fully permeable and the most affordable option; requires edging to stay contained and a compacted base to prevent sinking.
Old surface removed and ground dug to the correct depth.
Compacted base layer specified by surface type and load.
Surface water routed within the plot boundary.
Containment detail for every surface type and plot width.
Why Choose Us
Accountability at every stage, from the first survey to the finished edge.
Excavation, sub-base, surface, edging and drainage are each quoted as a separate line item so you can see exactly what you are paying for.
Ground condition, levels and drainage are assessed at the survey stage before the job is priced, so the quote reflects the actual site.
Building Regulations drainage requirements and local authority dropped kerb rules are confirmed before work is scoped, not after.
Every survey accounts for the soil conditions and authority requirements here in Cambridge.
Because the ground is assessed before quoting, the price you agree covers the job as found, not an estimate revised once digging starts.
The Process
Tell us the size, the current surface condition and how the area is used so we can schedule the right survey.
A site visit checks ground levels, drainage and access rules, then quotes each element as a separate line item.
The old surface is removed, the sub-base is prepared and compacted, and the chosen finish is laid with edging and drainage in place.
Pricing Estimates
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Garden path | £600-£1,500 |
| Gravel path or drive | £1,500-£3,000 |
| Block paved path | £3,000-£6,000 |
| Driveway surfacing | £4,800-£14,400 |
Common Questions
It depends on how widespread the damage is. Isolated cracked or sunken slabs can often be lifted and re-laid without replacing the whole area. If the base has failed across a large section, or the surface has broken down in multiple spots, a full replacement usually works out more cost-effective than repeated patching.
A typical job covers excavation, removal of the old surface, sub-base preparation, edging installation, laying the chosen surface material, and final grading for drainage. Each element, path, driveway, drainage, and so on, is quoted separately so you can see exactly what you are paying for.
Yes. Puddles and mud are almost always caused by poor drainage or an inadequate sub-base. A properly laid surface with correct falls and a compacted base directs water away rather than letting it sit. Permeable materials such as resin or gravel can also allow water to drain through rather than pool on top.
Block paving suits driveways where you want a defined, repairable finish and good kerb appeal. Resin gives a smooth, permeable surface with low maintenance. Tarmac is fast to lay and cost-effective for larger areas. Gravel is the most affordable and drains freely but needs occasional topping up and is less suitable where loose stones are a concern.
Yes. Excavation and sub-base preparation are included in every new path or driveway job. The depth depends on the surface type and expected load, typically 150-200mm for driveways. The ground is compacted in layers before any surface material is laid, which is what prevents sinking and cracking later.
The most common cause is unexpected ground conditions found during excavation, soft spots, buried rubble, or a deeper layer of poor soil that needs additional sub-base material. Tree roots close to the surface can also add time. These are quoted as variations before extra work proceeds, not added silently to the final bill.
Patching costs less upfront, but only makes sense when the base is still sound and damage is limited to one or two areas. If the sub-base has failed or the surface has broken down in several places, patching rarely lasts and you often end up paying for a full replacement anyway within a few years.
Not if the sub-base is correctly prepared and the surface is laid with proper falls. Cracking and sinking almost always trace back to an inadequate or poorly compacted base, not the surface material itself. Drainage falls are set during installation, water should clear within minutes of rain stopping on a correctly laid surface.
We cover Garden Paths & Driveways in and around Cambridge, including Trumpington, Great Shelford, Sawston, Fulbourn, Histon, Cottenham, Waterbeach, Cambourne and Northstowe. If your area isn’t listed, send us a quick message to check.
Describe the plot, the current surface and how you use the space. We schedule a ground survey and quote excavation, sub-base, surface, edging and drainage as separate line items.