Block paving is still the most asked-for driveway surface in this area. It looks at home in front of both traditional and modern houses, individual blocks can be lifted and replaced without disturbing the rest of the driveway, and the range of patterns and contrast colours gives you something to design with.
Done properly, a block-paved driveway lasts 25 years and longer with no real maintenance beyond an occasional re-sand of the joints. Done badly, the surface ruts in the wheel tracks, weeds take hold, and the edges spread within 18 months. The difference is almost entirely under the surface.
Get a free on-site block paving quote or call Gary on 0121 250 4438.
How we build a block-paved driveway
- Survey and quote. Gary measures the driveway, looks at how water currently leaves the site, and discusses pattern, block and colour with you.
- Excavation to typically 200-250 mm below finished level for a standard car driveway. Spoil is removed from site - we do not leave it on your lawn.
- MOT Type 1 sub-base laid in two compacted layers using a vibrating roller. We do not rely on a wacker plate alone.
- Edge restraint - concrete-haunched edging on every perimeter to stop the blocks migrating. This is the single most common shortcut in cheap installations.
- Drainage designed for the site. We design driveways to be permeable or drain to a permeable area on the property, so the work qualifies as permitted development under the permeable paving rules.
- Sharp-sand laying course screeded level.
- Blocks laid to the agreed pattern with full cuts at edges, not snapped sliver cuts.
- Kiln-dried jointing sand brushed in and vibrated through the joints.
- Site clean-up, photos and sign-off with your 10-year written guarantee.
Block paving suppliers we use
We mainly use Marshalls and Brett ranges. Both have proven concrete blocks with consistent colour batches and good warranties:
- Marshalls Drivesys, Drivesett Argent, Drivesett Tegula - traditional weathered cobble look, multiple sizes for character laying patterns.
- Brett Alpha, Omega and Lakeland - contemporary smooth-faced blocks in a range of greys, charcoals and buffs.
- Tobermore Tegula - economical alternative with a similar weathered finish.
We can specify other suppliers if you have a particular range in mind. We do not push specific products for hidden margin - we quote against what works for your driveway.
Patterns and design choices
The most common laying patterns on Sutton Coldfield driveways are:
- Stretcher bond - the simplest, neatest pattern, best for contemporary homes.
- Herringbone (45° or 90°) - the structurally strongest pattern, recommended for shared accesses and any driveway with regular vehicle movement.
- Basket weave - a decorative pattern that works well on smaller front driveways.
Common design extras that lift a block paving driveway:
- A contrast border in a darker block, framing the field.
- Inset bands or feature circles at the entrance, near a porch, or around a car-park bay marker.
- Stone or brick kerb upgrades instead of standard concrete kerbs.
- Hidden ACO drainage channels rather than open central channels.
What it costs
Block-paved driveways from £4,500. Four-car block-paved driveways with contrast borders and proper drainage from £8,500. Final pricing depends on block choice, the depth of excavation needed, drainage detail and any retaining or steps required.
We give a fixed written price after the on-site visit, never a “from” estimate over the phone.
What kills a cheap block paving driveway
If you are getting quotes that look unusually low, here are the corners that are normally being cut. Ask the question explicitly:
- No or shallow sub-base. A driveway needs a properly compacted MOT Type 1 base. A 75 mm scratch layer is not a sub-base.
- No edge restraint. Blocks will spread sideways within months.
- Sliver cuts at the edges. Half-blocks should be cut full width, not snapped narrow.
- No kiln-dried sand or sand brushed in dry weather only. Wet sand does not jointly properly.
- No drainage detailing. Water that runs back towards the house will cause damp problems and saturate the sub-base.
If a quote does not list any of these in writing, that is the corner being cut.
Recent block paving projects in this area
See recent block paving driveway projects with locations across Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield, Birmingham, Streetly and Tamworth, including before and after photos.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a block paving driveway take to install? A typical two-car driveway takes 3 to 5 working days. A four-car driveway or one with significant retaining or drainage runs 5 to 8 working days.
Will weeds grow through block paving? Not for many years if the joints are filled with kiln-dried sand and re-sanded every 3-5 years. We can apply a polymeric joint sealant for an extra cost if you want to extend that interval further.
Can a damaged block be replaced? Yes. That is one of the main advantages of block paving over a poured surface. We can replace damaged blocks years after installation as long as the original range is still available, and we keep a small batch of spares for every job we do.
Do you need planning permission for a block paving driveway? For front driveways in England, permission is normally not required if the surface is permeable or rainwater drains to a permeable area on your own land. Our driveways are designed to meet these rules.
Do you offer a guarantee? Yes. Every block paving driveway we install comes with a 10-year written guarantee covering workmanship and sub-base failure.
Get a free block paving quote
Call Gary on 0121 250 4438 or request a free on-site quote.
“I would like to thank you very much for such a lovely job. I have had lots of compliments from friends and neighbours.”
“After looking at boring slabs and lawn I now sit and enjoy a view to behold. I can't praise highly enough the efficiency shown by the workmen.”
What customers say about our work
We also cover
We also work in Erdington, Four Oaks, Mere Green, Wylde Green, Boldmere, Streetly, Little Aston, Minworth, Walmley, New Oscott, Kingstanding, Great Barr, Aldridge, Castle Bromwich, Coleshill, Solihull, Knowle, Tamworth, Lichfield, Burntwood, Shenstone and the surrounding West Midlands villages.
