For a driveway to be proud of
from a company you can trust..
Tell Me More   Get a Quote

Our Methods

On this page, we will give a quick overview of we how go about laying driveways, patios, paths and building walls. This includes how we prepare, materials we use and how we finish our driveways and other works.

Driveways

We dig out drives and remove all spoils either by our pickup, skips or a grabwagon. If an existing drive has been in place then we remove that and usually the subbase underneath is usable. We will level it out to suit our needs and top it up with fresh type 1 dolomite.

If the ground is of soil or lawn we will dig down 12" (300mm) deep, usually by then hitting more solid ground or clay. Of the 12", 8" (200mm) of that is replaced with type 1 dolomite, whacked down 3-4 times with a heavy duty whacker, the remaining 4" is split with sharp sand whacked once and the blockpaving whacked 4-5 times with a good coating of dry kiln sand to vibrate between the blocks and to help water over the top to where we direct it.

Paths and Patios

As above but only excated to 6-8" depending on the ground. The same ratio of dolomite, sand and blocks to fill. Sometimes if flags are required opposed to blocks they may go on a wet mix of yellow sand and cement then jointed with either wet mortar, brushed in with yellow sand and cement and dampened or a product called Geofix.

Walls

We build walls on a very good foundation, the depth of the foundation depending on the height of the walls. Walls to retain, steps, pillars for gateways or whole new walls, we always try to get a suitable brick for the job, for your requirements and in many cases a close match to existing bricks.

What our customers say

What a difference to our drive! The team worked really hard from start to finish. And thank you to Mark for the advice about the step. We trusted your judgement and are really pleased with the outcome. Thank you so much for a job well done.
Ann
I wish to express my thanks to you and your crew on a job well done. My driveway looks fantastic and is perfect right down to the smallest detail. I am so happy with it.

Please pass on my regards and comments to your team. Thanks guys, a beautiful job.
Mrs Dugdill, Chester-Le-Street
Just to say a big thank you to you & the lads for a fantastic job laying a new driveway.

It is exactly how I wanted it, nothing was too much trouble and I can't believe how quick it was laid down! It has made a huge difference to the front of my house. I will highly recommend you to anyone.
Mrs Dixon, Prudhoe
I am writing to thank you and your team for the excellent standard of workmanship in the patio and block paved front drive at the above address. Both my husband and myself are wholly thrilled with the results, and most impressed that the work was completed to such a high standard in only 10 working days.

We would not hesitate to recommend 'M.B. Driveways' to potential customers and would be happy to show them the high quality work that your company has undertaken at our home.
Mr Penny, Blaydon
Many thanks for all of your efforts and for your courteous and prompt service. We are delighted with the driveway and you can be sure that we will recommend you to anyone who asks (indeed I have already done so!).
Mr Maddy, Prudhoe
I am writing to thank you for the marvellous job you did for my on my back garden. We are extremely pleased with it and were impressed by all your hard work.

I have recommended you to several of my friends who have asked me who did the work.
B. Woodfin, Consett