What proper block paving installation actually looks like
This is the spec we quote on every single job — written on every piece of paper we sign. Compare it to any other quote you've had. If these things aren't listed, you're getting the short-cut job.
1. Dig-out — 200mm, not 100mm
We remove 200mm of existing material minimum — more where needed to get to load-bearing ground. Cheap jobs dig 100mm, reuse the existing rubble, and save half a day of labour. Then sink.
2. Sub-base — 150mm compacted MOT Type 1
Laid in two layers of 75mm, each one plate-compacted separately. One thick layer tamped once — which is what most cheap installs do — leaves voids. Voids become sinkage. Sinkage is why drives look wavy after a winter.
3. Edge restraints — concrete, not sand
Every perimeter block gets a concrete haunch. This is the invisible bit that stops your entire drive "walking" outwards over time. Cost: maybe £200 extra. Skipped: entire drive fails inside 7 years. Guess which one we do.
4. Laying course — 50mm of sharp sand, screeded
Proper grade sharp sand, screeded perfectly level with a beam. Not tipped-in-bulk and smoothed with a boot.
5. Jointing — kiln-dried, brushed, sealed
Dry silica sand, multiple brush-and-compact passes, then optional sealant. Stops weeds. Stops ant trails. Locks the pattern together.
Here's the test:
Ask the next quote to write those 5 steps into your contract. If they won't, walk away.
Block choices we install
We install every major manufacturer — Marshalls, Brett, Tobermore, Bradstone, Stonemarket. 50+ product ranges, 200+ colour combinations. Most-picked styles in Hartford:
- Marshalls Drivesett Tegula — tumbled, antique look. Go-to for period homes.
- Brett Omega — large format, modern clean lines. Popular on new-builds.
- Tobermore Historic — granite-aggregate, 3-size mix. Commercial feel.
- Marshalls Argent — sharp contemporary block, popular grey-charcoal blends.
- Bradstone Monksbridge — textured, weathered appearance. Great with stone houses.
Bring us a picture of a drive you love. 9 times out of 10 we can match it exactly.
Patterns — and why they matter more than you think
- Herringbone (90°) — strongest pattern for driveways. Interlocks under vehicle load.
- Herringbone (45°) — same strength, softer visual line. Usually the winning pick.
- Stretcher bond — simplest, cheapest to lay, least structurally strong.
- Basketweave — period homes only; avoid for driveways over 5m long.
- Random 3-size — contemporary, looks effortless, actually fiendish to lay properly.
What it costs in Hartford — real numbers
Typical pricing for block paving driveways in Hartford, based on our 2026 installs:
- Small drive (30m², 1 car): £4,500–£6,200
- Medium drive (50m², 2 cars): £6,800–£9,500
- Large drive (80m²+): £10,500–£15,000+
These are properly-spec'd installs with everything on the stack below. Cheaper quotes exist. So do drives that sink after 2 years.
Block paving vs resin — the honest comparison
Both are premium surfaces. Both cost similar money properly installed. The differences:
- Block paving wins on: individual block replaceability, pattern variety, period-home authenticity, resale value recognition.
- Resin wins on: zero weeds, seamless finish, modern aesthetic, faster install, fully permeable by design.
We install both. We'll give you a straight answer on which suits your property when we quote.