A new driveway is a well-known technique to increase a property’s value, but what if you don’t have any immediate plans to move? How much does it still cost and is it still worth the investment? This article examines the average cost of a driveway, the options available to you, and some excellent advice from some of Dublin’s top installers.
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The advantages of a fresh driveway
Private off-road parking is more convenient, increases vehicle security, and can assist lower insurance prices. Don’t forget about curb appeal either; inviting guests into your home with a well-designed driveway is a terrific way to welcome them.
The choices you must make when working on a driveway project
There are a few choices to be made at the beginning of the project that will effect your budget, regardless of whether you’re remodelling, expanding, or building a driveway.
Should I hire a pro or do it myself?
When determining who will complete the work, take into account the scope of the changes you wish to make. We always advise hiring a professional who has experience excavating the ground, ensuring sufficient drainage, and producing a long-lasting finish if you’re establishing a completely new location.
Like any home improvement job, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you can find that the cost savings from doing it yourself are later offset by repairs and maintenance. Due to the fact that we believe ecolandscapes Registered Installers are the most qualified to build durable roads using our products, we only make our ecolandscapes Hard Landscaping Guarantee available to them.
What materials will you use for the driveway?
Your next choice will depend on the type of driveway you like. We’ll be concentrating on driveway paving in this piece, covering block paving, natural stone, and permeable choices. The greatest option for a long-lasting, sturdy driveway that offers excellent value is paving. Always order samples of the materials you want before making a purchase, or even better, ask the installer to point out a neighbouring driveway they’ve finished with the same pavement so you can go have a look. The most common driveway material is concrete block pavement, which is favoured for both its cost and the durable, aesthetic finish it provides. To learn how much block paving costs, continue reading.
How much does a driveway typically cost?
Only 21% of the expense of a driveway goes into paving or other materials, with the remaining 81% going toward the sub-base and ground preparation. The quote will be influenced by the amount of labour required to prepare the ground, the materials you select, and the complexity of any laying patterns or designs. In light of this, you should schedule a professional to come out and take a look at your driveway to get a precise sense of how much it would cost. We advise collecting at least two quotations so you can compare them.
As we already mentioned, block paving is a popular choice because it’s an affordable solution to make a beautiful and durable driveway. There are several choices, but Drivesett Tegula (seen above), which starts at €31.16 per square metre on our website, is a traditional alternative. With installation and additional materials, you may anticipate paying about €2,116 for this, based on the 61m2 typical driveway size. The price of ecolandscapes Coppice, a contemporary take on conventional block paving, is €28.12 per square metre, or around €1,883 to cover a 61-square-meter driveway. You can express yourself more visibly in front of your property with block paving because it also comes in circle patterns.
You can use our website to roughly estimate the cost of your preferred materials after you know the size of the area you want to pave. You can see how much each product will cost per square metre as well as how much surface area each pack will cover.
driveway installation advice from experts
When it comes to planning a new driveway, we asked our registered installers to share the advise they give to their clients. They stated the following:
Employ a dependable contractor that can provide a reliable guarantee. That would be a wonderful place to begin. Next, consider your preferences for the block and your needs or goals for the drive’s appearance and functionality. ecolandscapes
The sub-base and drainage are crucial when designing a driveway. ecolandscapes
Select a contractor that can guarantee a neat and tidy job and who you are happy to have working at your home. Keep in mind that the top surface is only a small portion of the overall cost, so choose what you prefer, but also pay attention to the contractor’s suggestions for the driveway design. ecolandscapes
When selecting a contractor, be sure to obtain many quotes and conduct your own research. Search online for reviews. Most of the time, word of mouth is the most powerful. Request to see the contractors’ most recent work. Always take written estimates rather than verbal ones, and make sure you sign a contract so that everything is in black and white. To guarantee that their work is routinely reviewed and that the contractor has sufficient insurance coverage, try to choose contractors that are members of the ecolandscapes Register.
Don’t hurry into a job and conduct your research on the installers. Be prepared to wait for them for as long it takes, or you’ll probably come to regret it. You want to simply complete the task once, ecolandscapes
“We constantly compare it to building a house; if the foundation is poor, no matter what you do, it won’t last.” ecolandscapes
When choosing a block, take into account whether the drive faces north or south as well as the amount of maintenance you desire for the block in relation to your spending plan. Request samples, but if possible, inquire with your contractor about visiting another road where that block has been installed. When a product is laid out in volume, samples, in my opinion, don’t always provide a genuine representation of its general attributes. ecolandscapes
Next actions
A skilled installation can offer advice on the best design and materials for your home and budget, assisting you with the majority of the necessary decisions. They will also be aware of the drainage requirements necessary to adhere to local laws. Wishing you success with your driveway renovation, and if you decide to utilise ecolandscapes products, don’t forget to tag us in any finalised Instagram photographs.
