Having somewhere to park is a standard necessity of modern life. For many this means somewhere for the family car, but, equally, it could be parking space for an aircraft. Whichever end of the scale, it is likely that the parking surface was designed and laid by a paving contractor.

Most homes have some area(s) of paving in the form of paths, driveways or patios. These areas have to be durable and attractive. Modern paved areas complement the buildings and often provide interest or a focal point in a garden or public space.
With the increased demand for more design and interest for paving, the work of the paving contractor has grown considerably. The cowboy tarmac drive layer is long gone; the modern paving contractor is experienced in the designing and laying of a wide variety of surfaces.

Paving has come a long way from the rectangular concrete slabs which provided the early patios. They are still around, but now in a wide range of colours and finishes. In addition, a contractor can offer porous concrete block paving in an almost bewildering variety, pattern imprinted concrete, aggregates or stone, as possible hard surfaces for your home.

Even for a modest path or driveway, the professional contractor will provide a full design and lay service. There will be preliminary decisions on pattern, colour, materials and, of course, cost. Measurements will be taken and a drawing usually provided, particularly if the design is complex. Then the work really begins.

The specialist will cover every aspect of the work. They will begin with the removal and disposal of an old surface; then prepare the area by laying a sub-base and probably a semi-permeable membrane to discourage weeds. The really attractive part comes with fixing the edges and laying the chosen surface.

Because of their long experience in the trade, a contractor will be able to advise the home owner on any regulations applicable to the surface to be laid. They will be well versed in the legal requirements for water management and will naturally incorporate the necessary facilities in the design. This may involve incorporating soak-aways or gratings into the construction or simply having the correct slope on the surface, to enable any rain water to run in the right direction.

As one would expect from a professional, a paving contractor will probably be a member of 揑nterlay??the Independent Association of Block Paving Contractors. Like all professional bodies, this association ensures a good standard of work in the trade and provides its members with support, information and training as required.

For a basic driveway, your contractor can offer a choice of a herringbone or basket pattern made from porous concrete blocks; swirls or fans imprinted in concrete; antique cobbles, which could be straight from a Paris street; even an effect of a pebbly river bed or a hardwood floor. The paving contractor has the materials if you have the imagination.