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Driveway installation, from groundwork to finished surface
Benchmark Paving installs block paving, resin-bound, tarmac and gravel driveways. Based in Caterham, our team visits your property to discuss parking, access, the finish you want and the preparation your driveway needs.
Whether you are replacing worn paving or planning a new parking area, we help you compare the options around your home, budget and maintenance preferences. Start with a free site visit and a no-obligation quotation.
Choose the right driveway material
Block paving
Individual blocks offer a wide choice of patterns, colours and contrasting borders. They can suit traditional or modern homes, and individual units can be lifted if a repair or access beneath the surface is needed.
Resin-bound surfacing
Aggregate mixed with resin creates a smooth, textured surface with a choice of colour blends. Its performance depends on a suitable base and drainage design; the surface alone does not make the whole driveway permeable.
Tarmac
A continuous surface gives a straightforward finish for everyday parking. Edging can define the shape and connect the drive to paths. Whether an existing base can be reused needs assessment before resurfacing is quoted.
Gravel
Loose stone creates a traditional appearance with a choice of sizes and colours. Edge restraints help contain it. Allow for occasional raking and topping up, and consider slopes and how pedestrians will use the area.
What happens beneath the driveway matters
The new surface is only one part of the job. Existing ground conditions, excavation, the supporting base, compaction, finished levels and edging all affect the result. Preparation should suit the material and the vehicles using the drive.
We also consider where rainwater will go and how the driveway meets doors, paths and the road. Ask us to explain the proposed build-up and drainage at the site visit so you can compare quotations on the work included.
Read about groundworks and driveway drainage · Find out when driveway repairs may be suitable
Driveway examples and finishing details
Browse the existing driveway photographs for ideas, then discuss the materials and layout that would suit your own property.
Block paving with decorative borders
See the border and pattern details on a completed block-paved driveway.
What affects the cost of a new driveway?
Size and material matter, but access, excavation, removal of the old surface, drainage, edging and any steps or walls can change the cost substantially. A price per square metre without a clear specification is difficult to compare.
Tell us the approximate size, your preferred finish and any problems with the existing drive. We can assess the site and provide a quotation for the proposed work. If you are planning a Caterham project, see our driveway cost guide for the questions to consider.
From site visit to finished paving
1. Survey and choose
We visit, measure the area and discuss parking, access, material choices and the existing ground and drainage. The quotation should make the scope and finishing details clear.
2. Prepare and install
The agreed work can include removing the old surface, preparing the base, setting falls, installing drainage and edging, then laying the chosen surface.
3. Finish and maintain
We discuss when the driveway can be walked or driven on and how to care for the material. Curing and settling requirements vary, so agree these for your installation.
Frequently asked questions
Which driveway material is best?
There is no single best surface for every home. Compare appearance, traffic, drainage, budget and upkeep. Blocks offer design flexibility; resin-bound surfacing gives a textured continuous finish; tarmac provides a simple paved surface; gravel needs different maintenance.
Can you repair my driveway instead?
Localised damage may be repairable if the base is sound. Widespread movement, worn surfaces or drainage problems can call for more extensive work. We can assess the drive before you decide between repair and replacement.
How long does installation take?
The programme depends on size, excavation, material, access and weather. We will discuss the expected work period and any waiting time before you can park on the finished surface.
Do I need planning permission?
Rules depend on the property and drainage design. For houses in England, front-garden paving over five square metres generally needs permission if it is impermeable and does not drain to a permeable area. Check the Planning Portal guidance and your local planning authority before work; different restrictions can apply.
Can the driveway connect to a patio or garden path?
Yes. We can discuss matching or contrasting materials, borders, steps and the levels between the driveway and adjoining spaces. Include those areas in the site visit so the quotation covers the whole proposed job.
Discuss your project
Tell us what you have in mind, the project location and any useful details about the current surface. Our team visits customers at their properties.
Call 0800 696 5894, 0208 485 6462 or 0746 460 7167.
Where we work
Our team is based in Caterham and travels to customers in Warlingham, Oxted, Croydon, Bromley, Orpington and East Grinstead. Contact us to check your project location and arrange a visit.