Local page · Driveways
Driveways in Solihull
Driveway installation in Solihull, Shirley, Knowle, Dorridge and nearby areas. Block paving, tarmac, resin-bound and gravel surfaces, specified around the property, access, levels and drainage.
Cornerstone
Driveway installation planned around the house.
A new driveway has to do more than improve the front of the property. It needs to take daily vehicle use, manage surface water, sit cleanly against the house and give a finish that suits the age and style of the home.
Cornerstone Driveways & Landscapes installs block paving, tarmac, resin-bound and gravel driveways across Solihull and the surrounding villages. Each quotation is based on the existing surface, excavation depth, access, drainage route, edge restraint and the finish selected at survey.
Specification
What a driveway quotation should include.
The visible surface is only one part of the job. The quotation should make clear what is being removed, how the new base will be formed, how edges are restrained and how rainwater will be managed within the site.
- Removal of existing tarmac, concrete, paving, gravel, lawn or mixed surfaces where required
- Excavation depth confirmed against vehicle use, ground conditions and finished levels
- Geotextile membrane where ground separation is needed
- MOT Type 1 or specified sub-base installed and compacted in layers
- Concrete-bedded kerbs, block borders or other edge restraint
- Falls set away from the property and towards the agreed drainage point
- Channel drainage, soakaway connection or permeable finish where specified
- Adjustment of inspection covers and thresholds where included in the quote
Method
Choosing the right driveway surface.
Block paving
A detailed finish with strong kerb appeal, useful where borders, patterns, curves or localised future repairs are important.
Tarmac
A clean continuous surface for larger drives, shared access routes and projects where a neat block or kerb edge will define the perimeter.
Resin-bound or gravel
Resin-bound gives a smooth aggregate finish over a suitable base. Gravel and grid systems offer a softer appearance and can work well for permeable designs.
Drainage and levels
Drainage, levels and access checked before surfacing.
Front driveways need careful thought around rainwater. In many cases the answer is a channel drain, a fall to a lawn or border, a permeable build-up, or a soakaway designed for the area being drained.
During survey, we check garage thresholds, air bricks, damp course, existing gullies, inspection chambers, shared boundaries, skip access and machine access before confirming the final specification.
- Surface water route confirmed before work starts
- Finished level checked against the house and garage
- Manhole covers identified and treatment agreed
- Shared drive or neighbour boundary constraints noted
- Nearby areas covered: Shirley, Knowle, Dorridge, Balsall Common, Meriden and Hampton-in-Arden
Survey notes
Common driveway issues we assess.
These are the details we look for before confirming the written quote, so the scope is based on the site rather than an assumed standard build-up.
- Sinking areas caused by weak sub-base or old soakaways
- Water running towards the house, pavement or highway
- Loose edges where the surface has no restraint
- Existing tarmac or concrete that is cracked, uneven or too high
- Driveway extensions where the new area must tie into the existing surface
Related pages
Useful pages for this project type.
Questions
Common questions.
Which driveway surface is right for my property?
That depends on the style of the house, vehicle use, drainage, budget and the finish you prefer. Block paving gives the most detailed look, tarmac suits larger continuous areas, resin-bound gives a smooth modern aggregate finish and gravel can work well in permeable layouts.
Will I need drainage on a new driveway?
Most driveway projects need a planned surface water route. That may be a channel drain, a fall to a permeable border, a soakaway, permeable paving or a surface designed to drain through the build-up.
Do front driveways need planning permission?
A front driveway over 5 m² using an impermeable surface may need planning permission if water is not directed to a permeable area within the property. We can flag the issue during survey, but the council remains the authority on permission.
How long does a driveway installation take?
Many domestic driveways take around three to ten working days depending on size, dig-out, drainage, access, weather and the chosen surface.
Ready to discuss your project?
Tell us what you want to achieve and we will arrange a free site visit across Solihull, Birmingham, Warwickshire and surrounding areas.