Replacement is also the cheapest moment to change direction, because the foundation happens either way. The choice splits into two paths.
A failing driveway never picks its moment. The cracks spread a little each winter, the weeds claim another joint each summer, and at some point, patching stops making sense. For driveways in Bookham that have reached that stage, the useful question is no longer how to repair the old surface but what should replace it, because the replacement will outlast most things you buy for the house.
That decision deserves better than a rushed answer.
A replacement done properly starts with removal. The old surface gets broken out and taken away, which exposes the part that usually failed, the ground underneath. Surfaces rarely crack on their own. They crack because the base beneath was never built to carry decades of cars.
Parklane Landscaping rebuilds from that level up. Excavation reaches the required depth, then a compacted sub-base suited to the ground conditions, with drainage installed at the same stage, so rainwater has somewhere to go from day one. Edging and the finished surface come last. The team project-manages the whole sequence with definite timelines, so you always know who is on site and when.
A brick-paved or cobbled finish suits period frontages and ties a drive to the house in a way nothing modern can. Gravel takes the traditional route at the lowest cost per square metre, drains naturally and comes in everything from classic gravels to granite granules. It asks for occasional raking and topping up in return. Tarmac replaces like with like, where the old drive was tarmac, and remains the hard-wearing, economical choice for bigger areas.
Resin-bound is a popular upgrade from older surfaces. The finish is smooth, modern and permeable, so rain drains straight through instead of collecting where the old drive used to puddle. It resists weeds and needs very little looking after. Block paving upgrades differently, with a wide choice of colours and patterns, and the practical advantage that one cracked or stained block lifts out, and a new one drops in. Permeable versions handle drainage by themselves.
Samples on your own frontage make the decision far easier than photographs, so the survey brings them to you.
A well presented and correctly installed patio can be an outdoor space for all the family to use, creating a lovely entertaining space.
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We chose Parklane following a recommendation and during the initial consultation, we stressed that we needed the work completed by a set date due to a very important 40th Birthday party we had planned, no pressure!!! The owner, Dan was honest with us and promised he would complete the job on time but this would require them completing the work in stages which we were happy with and also completely understood due to us leaving the request to the last minute, top tip as they are a busy company, consult with them early as they are in demand!!! As promised the work was completed on time and the finished product is amazing. The team that completed the work were friendly, neat and professional. I even caught one of them washing the front of the house after mixing some mortar which was not expected and shows their pride. The end product rendered us speechless, we were so pleased with the result and the reactions from our party guests were as expected, everyone wanted Parklanes number… I would fully recommend Parklane and we are completely satisfied with their work.
