★★★★★
Third quote we had and the only one who explained what was going underneath. The others just gave me a number for the blocks. Two years on and it hasn't sunk or moved anywhere.
Margate · Thanet · Family run since 2007
The first thing anyone sees.
Get it right.
Block paving, resin bound, tarmac and gravel driveways across Thanet. Dug out properly, laid on a proper sub-base, and guaranteed for ten years — because the reason most driveways fail is what's underneath, not what's on top.
- 10 year workmanship guarantee
- £5m public liability
- Fully permeable options
- Written fixed quote
Choosing a surface
Four materials. Which one's yours?
Most people ring round for prices before they've decided what they actually want, and end up comparing quotes for completely different things. Here's the honest version.
| Block paving | Resin bound | Tarmac | Gravel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per m² | £85–£120 | £95–£140 | £55–£80 | £40–£65 |
| Lifespan | 25–30 years | 15–20 years | 12–18 years | 10+ with a good base |
| Upkeep | Weeds in the joints, occasional re-sanding | Almost none — brush and jet wash | Very little, but shows repairs | Topping up, raking, edges wander |
| Permeable | Yes with permeable blocks | Yes as standard | No — needs drainage | Yes |
| Repairs | Lift and relay individual blocks | Patch repairs can show slightly | Patches are visible | Just top it up |
| Best for | Traditional houses, and anyone who wants it to outlive them | Smooth finish, prams and wheelchairs, low maintenance | Long drives and tight budgets | Period properties and rural plots |
The planning permission thing nobody mentions
If you're covering more than five square metres of front garden with a surface that isn't permeable, and the water can't drain to a soft area on your own land, you need planning permission. Every driveway we lay is either permeable or drained to a soakaway, so it stays permitted development and you don't have an awkward letter from the council in six months. Ask anyone quoting you how they're handling the drainage — if they look blank, that tells you something.
How it goes
Four steps, no mystery.
1
Design visit
We measure up, check the levels and drainage, and talk through materials on site. Free, and there's no salesman.
2
Fixed quote
Written, itemised, valid 60 days. Excavation depth and sub-base spec written down so you can compare like for like.
3
Dig and base
Old surface out, dug to depth, MOT type 1 compacted in layers. This is the bit that decides whether it lasts.
4
Lay and finish
Surface laid, edges haunched, jointed and cleaned down. Typically three to five days on an average drive.
Recent work
Have a look round Thanet.
Every one of these is within twenty minutes of Margate. Happy to give you the address of anything you like the look of so you can drive past and see it in the flesh.
Block paving · Broadstairs
Resin bound · Cliftonville
Tarmac · Minster
Block & sett border · Ramsgate
Gravel & edging · Birchington
Patio & steps · Westgate
Where we work
Thanet and the surrounding villages.
Yard in Margate, so materials arrive when they should and we're not travelling two hours before we start. Further afield for larger jobs — just ask.
- Margate
- Cliftonville
- Broadstairs
- Ramsgate
- Westgate-on-Sea
- Birchington
- Minster
- Monkton
- Sandwich
- Herne Bay
- Canterbury
Reviews
What the neighbours said.
★★★★★
Resin drive done in four days. They protected the front door, swept the road every evening, and the neighbour liked it so much she's had hers done too. Price was exactly what was quoted.
★★★★★
Talked me out of the more expensive option because it wasn't right for a north-facing drive that never dries out. Didn't have to do that. Went with what he suggested and it's spot on.
Questions
Before you get quotes.
How much is a typical driveway?
An average Thanet front drive is 30–45m². Block paving usually lands between £2,800 and £5,000, resin a little higher, tarmac lower. The variables are excavation depth, whether there's an old concrete base to break out, and access. We give you a fixed written price after the visit, not a guess on the phone.
How long will it take?
Three to five days for a standard drive, weather permitting. Resin needs a dry day to lay and a few hours to cure. We'll tell you which days you can't park on it before we start.
What depth do you dig to?
150mm of compacted MOT type 1 for cars, more if there's a van or soft ground. It's written into the quote, and it's the single most useful thing to compare between contractors — a cheap quote is usually a shallow one.
Do you take the old driveway away?
Yes, removal and disposal is included and it's in the written price. No skip appearing on your bill afterwards.
Do I need to be home?
Only for the first morning so we can go through the setting out with you. After that we're fine to get on, though most people can't resist watching.
What does the guarantee cover?
Ten years on workmanship — sinking, movement, failed edges. Materials carry their own manufacturer's warranty. It's written down and it transfers if you sell the house.
Get a price
Book the free design visit.
Half an hour on your drive, and you'll leave with a proper idea of what's possible and what it costs. No pressure and no follow-up calls unless you ask for them.
- Phone
- 01632 960 502
- Mobile / WhatsApp
- 07700 900 502
- quotes@kerbstone.example
- Hours
- Mon–Sat 7.30am–6pm