Driveways, surfacing and groundworks built to spec
Most driveway failures are base failures. We dig to formation, build up in compacted layers, restrain the edges and set falls to drainage — then surface it. Every quote is written, itemised and follows a site survey.
Free site survey
We measure and dig-test before we price
Written, itemised quotes
No roadside or over-the-phone prices
Our own crews
No subcontracting, no lead brokering
150mm Type 1 sub-base
Deeper where the ground needs it
No deposit up front
Nothing due before materials are ordered
Key facts
- Services
- Driveways, Tarmac Driveways, Block Paving, Resin Bound Driveways, Commercial Surfacing, Groundworks
- Area covered
- Somerset, North Somerset & Bristol — 40 mile radius
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 8am–6pm · Sat 9am–12pm · Sun closed
Six services
Driveways
Domestic driveway construction across Somerset and Bristol — excavation, sub-base, edge restraint and surfacing, built to the depths the ground actually needs.
£40–£120 per m² · 3–6 days
Tarmac Driveways
Machine and hand-laid tarmac driveways with a properly compacted Type 1 sub-base, AC20 binder course and AC6 surface course.
£40–£70 per m² · 3–5 days
Block Paving
Concrete and clay block paving on a compacted sub-base and sharp sand laying course, with restrained edges and kiln-dried jointing sand.
£60–£100 per m² · 4–7 days
Resin Bound Driveways
UV-stable resin bound aggregate over a sound bound base — seamless, permeable and smooth underfoot.
£70–£120 per m² · 2–4 days over an existing sound base
Commercial Surfacing
Car parks, access roads, yards and playgrounds surfaced with machine-laid tarmac, phased to keep sites operational.
£45–£90 per m² · Phased to the site — typically 1–3 weeks
Groundworks
Excavation, foundations, footings, drainage and hard landscaping — the work that happens before anything visible does.
priced by scope per m² · Varies by scope
What happens between the first call and the finished driveway?
- Step 01
Site survey
We visit, measure, check what is under the existing surface and find out where the water goes. It takes about half an hour and costs nothing.
- Step 02
Written quote
An itemised price by area, sub-base depth, surface type, edgings and drainage, so you can see exactly what you are paying for and compare it fairly.
- Step 03
Excavate and build up
Dig to formation, remove the spoil, lay and compact the sub-base in layers, set the edge restraint and the falls before anything visible goes down.
- Step 04
Surface and hand over
Surfacing laid and compacted, edges cut in, site cleaned and the driveway handed over with clear guidance on when you can drive and park on it.
What is actually under your driveway
Most of the cost and almost all of the lifespan sits below the surface. Select a layer to see its depth, material and why it matters.
AC6 surface course
20mm
The wearing layer. Fine graded, rolled hot, and the only part anyone ever sees.
What does Solid Ground Paving do?
We build driveways, surface commercial car parks and access roads, and carry out the groundworks beneath both — excavation, foundations, footings and drainage. We work across Somerset, North Somerset and Bristol for homeowners, builders, managing agents and local authorities.
Why do most driveways fail early?
Because the base was too thin, compacted in one layer instead of two, or the edges were never restrained. None of it is visible on handover day. It shows up in the second winter as edge ravelling, ponding and settlement — and by then the only fix is to dig it out.
- Sub-base under 150mm, or compacted in a single thick layer
- No geotextile membrane, so the sub-base migrates into soft ground
- Open edges with no haunched kerb or block restraint
- Falls set by eye rather than to a drainage point
How much does a driveway cost?
Indicative bands run £40–£120 per square metre depending on surface type, excavation depth and drainage. Tarmac sits at the lower end, block paving and resin higher. A written price follows a site survey — we do not quote blind.
How do you work?
Survey, written quote, agreed start date, then the job. You get the build-up specification in writing before you commit, a named contact for the duration, and the site left clear at the end of every day.
- 01 — Site survey: measure, check ground, access and drainage
- 02 — Written quote: itemised, with the build-up specified in full
- 03 — Programme: a real start date and a realistic duration
- 04 — Build: excavation, sub-base, edge restraint, surfacing
- 05 — Handover: guarantee, waste transfer notes, aftercare
What does a driveway cost in Somerset?
Tarmac runs roughly £40–£70 per square metre installed, block paving £60–£100 and resin bound £70–£120 — excavation, sub-base and edge restraint included. A typical 50–60m² driveway lands between £3,000 and £9,500 depending on the surface.
See the full price table →Where does Solid Ground Paving work?
Across Somerset, North Somerset and Bristol, within roughly 40 miles of our base. No travel charge and no postcode pricing — a job in Bristol is priced the same way as one next door.
Frequently asked
How do I get a quote from Solid Ground Paving?
Call the office or send the quote form. We arrange a site survey, measure the area, check ground conditions, access and drainage, then issue a written itemised quote within two working days. We do not quote from photographs or over the phone alone.
Do you charge for quotes or surveys?
No. Surveys and written quotes are free anywhere inside our 40-mile working radius, with no obligation and no follow-up sales pressure.
What areas do you cover?
We work across Somerset, North Somerset and Bristol within roughly 40 miles of our base, including Weston-super-Mare, Clevedon, Portishead, Nailsea, Backwell, Congresbury and the surrounding villages.
Are you insured?
We carry public liability cover of full public liability cover. Certificates are supplied with every quote and on request before work starts.
What guarantee do you offer?
Workmanship is guaranteed in writing. The guarantee is issued in writing with the final invoice and covers workmanship. Material defects are covered by the manufacturer's own warranty.
Do you take a deposit?
No deposit is taken before materials are ordered, and we never ask for payment in full up front. Staged payments are agreed in writing before work starts.
Get a written, itemised quote
Free site survey. No deposit before materials are ordered.
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