How long does a new driveway take?
A realistic timeline for a new driveway in South Devon, from digging out to the first car parked on it, and what slows a job down.
Most driveways take between a few days and two weeks on site. The size of the drive matters less than what is under it and how the water will get away.
The stages
- Digging out: removing the old surface and soil to the depth the new drive needs. On a typical block-paved drive that is around 200 to 250mm.
- Edgings and drainage: kerbs or edgings set in concrete, and any channel drains or soakaways put in before the base goes down.
- Sub-base: crushed stone (MOT Type 1) laid in layers and compacted with a plate or roller. This is the part you never see and the part that matters most.
- Surface: block paving, slabs, resin or gravel laid on top, then jointed or sealed.
- Curing: some surfaces need a day or two before they take a car.
What slows a job down
Rain, poor access for the digger and skip, soft ground that needs extra dig and stone, and drains or services found where nobody expected them. In the steeper towns, such as Dartmouth and Salcombe, getting machines and materials to the house can add time too.
Do I need planning permission?
In England, paving more than five square metres of a front garden normally needs planning permission unless the surface is permeable or the water drains to a lawn or border on your own land. We plan the drainage so that you stay within the rules. If you are in a conservation area, check with the council first.
