Hardstanding and pavement design
Design of driveways, car parks and hardstanding build-ups to suit the ground and the vehicles using them.
About this service
A driveway or car park is a layered structure, not just a surface. The block paving, asphalt or resin you see sits on a bedding layer, a granular sub-base and sometimes a capping layer, all resting on the natural ground. If any layer is too thin for the soil or the traffic, ruts, sunken blocks and standing water follow within a few winters. We design the full build-up so the finished surface stays level and drains properly.
The service suits homeowners replacing a front garden with parking, small developers laying out courtyard parking for new flats, and builders who need a specification the council or Building Control will accept. Loading is the key variable. A family car, a delivery van and a refuse lorry turning on the same surface impose very different stresses, and the design reflects who will actually use it.
London Clay causes particular trouble under paving. When wet it loses strength, and when it dries in summer it shrinks and cracks, so a sub-base laid straight onto soft clay can deform quickly. Permeable paving adds another layer of decisions, because water stored in the sub-base must not soften the clay beneath or drift towards the house. Where a drainage strategy is needed, we coordinate the paving with your SuDS strategy.
When you need it
- You're building a new driveway or car park
- Hardstanding needs to carry heavy vehicles
- You want permeable paving
What's included
- Assessment of ground and loading
- Pavement build-up design
- Drainage coordination
- Specification and details
How it works
- Gather site informationWe look at the existing ground, levels, falls towards the house or road, and any trial pit or ground investigation data. Photos or a short visit tell us whether old hardcore, roots or made ground sit below the surface.
- Define the trafficWe agree which vehicles will use the area, how often, and whether anything heavy such as a refuse lorry, fire appliance or delivery truck needs to turn or park on it. This sets the design loading.
- Design the build-upWe choose the surface, bedding and sub-base thicknesses, any geotextile or geogrid, and edge restraints. For permeable systems we size the storage depth and decide whether water soaks away or discharges at a controlled rate.
- Issue specification and detailsYou receive a specification and construction details covering materials, compaction, falls and kerb edges, so the groundworker can build it correctly and you can check what is being laid before it is covered.
What you receive
Permeable paving on clay: will it actually drain?
Permeable block paving is often the default for front gardens, partly because councils expect new hardstanding to manage its own rainwater. The surface lets water through, but on London Clay the ground underneath barely absorbs it. In practice the sub-base becomes a shallow tank that releases water slowly, either through an outlet to a drain or by very gradual infiltration. Soakage testing settles which approach works on your site.
The other common mistake is ignoring what lies beneath the old surface. Front gardens often hide shallow drains, inspection chambers, gas and water services, and roots from street trees. A deeper build-up over a shallow pipe can crack it, and cutting roots can harm a protected tree. If you also need a new crossover from the road, our dropped kerb package covers the highway side.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission to pave my front garden?
Often not, if the new surface is permeable or drains onto a lawn or border within the property. Larger areas of impermeable paving that shed water onto the road usually need planning permission, and rules can be tighter in conservation areas. Check with your local council before ordering materials. Our design shows how the surface handles rainwater, which helps whichever route applies.
How thick should a driveway sub-base be?
There is no single answer. A domestic driveway for cars on firm ground might need a modest granular sub-base, while the same surface on soft clay or carrying vans needs considerably more, sometimes with a geotextile or capping layer. Thickness depends on ground strength, traffic and surface type, so we calculate it for your site rather than relying on a supplier's standard figure.
Why is my block paving sinking?
Sinking blocks usually point to a weak or poorly compacted sub-base, soft clay that has become saturated, or a leaking drain washing fine material out from beneath. Ruts along wheel paths are typical of an undersized build-up. Lifting a section and looking at what is underneath normally reveals the cause, and the repair should fix that layer rather than simply relaying the surface.
How much does hardstanding design cost?
Our hardstanding and pavement design starts from £500 + VAT for a typical driveway or small car park. Larger sites, heavy vehicle loading or permeable systems needing drainage calculations take more work. We confirm a fixed fee in writing before starting, and our typical turnaround is 10 working days.