Find a Paving Contractor in Belfast

Your block paving contractor will be able to advise you on the full range of services available as well as the most suitable option for you. Use Bark to get free quotes and schedule a visit today.

It takes about three days to complete a simple, straightforward pattern. For more complex designs such as herringbone with dual colours, it can often take four to five days to complete the blockwork. Regardless of style, it takes one day to seal the finished driveway and up to two days to dry depending on the weather.

It is important to do your homework about a professional before you hire them. Always ensure you review their credentials and be wary of cold callers at the door as there will be no way of tracing them if they do a poor job. Quality block paving contractors are in high demand so it is best to wait for your new block paved driveway to be installed professionally.

• Contract - Ensure you receive an itemised written estimate/contract on company letterhead with a real traceable address, not a PO box, or an office suite at a prestigious sounding address.

• Trade Associations - Ask if the company belongs to a trade association as these organisations vet companies and regularly visit the paving contractors on-site to check working standards.

• Previous work - Try to choose a local driveway installer who has an established business and proven track record in your local area, as they will be able to provide local addresses where they have installed block paved driveways over their years of trading. It is a good idea to see a contractor's previous work, which has been installed and put to the test for a few years.

• Deposits - Never pay deposits upfront or in advance. If the driveway company you are considering does not have the resources to start the groundwork on your driveway or patio before a stage payment is paid, the chances are they are not a credible business.

• Public Liability Insurance - Make sure to ask if the block paving company has Public Liability (PL) in place. Although it is not a legal obligation to have PL insurance, any reputable driveway, landscape or block paving company will be insured and if they are a member of a trade association this is often a criteria of their membership.

• Estimates - Obtain at least two or three estimates from experienced block paving companies which detail the driveway design, what style and manufacturer of block paving will be used, whether the driveway drainage complies with the 2008 planning regulations, how deep the driveway will be dug out, what sub-base will be used to lay the driveway on, and how it will be compacted.

• Guarantee - Be sure to find out if there is a guarantee for your new driveway. Be cautious of any paving company or landscape builder who can only offer you a verbal guarantee.

• Experience - Ask detailed questions when professionals visit for a quotation such as what experience they have, how long the driveway will take to be installed and what the construction process of the driveway will involve. Installing driveways correctly requires specialist equipment and experience.

• Summary - Take your time when choosing your block paving company. If the paving contractor is vague or invasive look elsewhere.

Block paving is a cost-effective and time-efficient way to add value to your home, without having any internal disruption, so is worth the investment.

To make sure that you are hiring a trusted professional, you could see whether they are a member of Interlay (The Trade Association for Paving Contractors) which has strict qualification criteria for its members.

Before you choose a block paving contractor, you could read testimonials from previous customers and see photos of their block paving work on their website.

You could also look at their profile page on Bark, which can show you reviews from past customers and any qualifications they may have.