Good paving makes a driveway, path or pool surround last for decades, but poor preparation lets it sink within a few seasons. HandymanService.co.za is a free quote-request service for South Africa. Tell us about your paving job, whether new work, cleaning, sealing or re-levelling, and we pass the request to independent paving contractors and handymen who quote you directly. We do not do the work and we never give prices. There is no fee and no obligation to accept a quote.
Paving options for your property
The right surface depends on what will drive or walk over it.
- Interlocking concrete pavers: strong, quick to repair and good for driveways.
- Clay brick pavers: a warm colour that suits face-brick homes.
- Slate and natural stone: popular around pools and entertainment areas, with grip to consider.
- Cobbles and cast slabs: well suited to paths and courtyards.
Choose a thicker paver for cars and a lighter one for foot traffic. Colour and pattern are matters of taste, but darker colours get hotter in summer.
Driveways, pool surrounds and paths
A paving contractor prepares the ground before a single brick is laid. The soil is cleared, compacted and covered with a layer of crusher dust or sand. On clay soils, which swell and shrink, a deeper and well-compacted base matters more.
Driveways need edge restraints so the pavers do not spread under tyres. Pool surrounds need a slight fall away from the pool and a slip-resistant finish. Paths need only a lighter base, but should drain well.
Plan the levels around garage doors, gates and drains. A paving job that holds water against a wall causes damp inside the house.
Cleaning, sealing and re-levelling
Old paving often needs care, not replacement. Pressure cleaning removes algae, oil and the dull grey film that builds up in shade. Sealing then protects the surface, deepens the colour and slows stains and weeds. Re-sand the joints after cleaning to lock the pavers.
Where pavers have sunk or tilted, a contractor lifts them, fixes the base and re-lays them level. Tree roots, burst pipes and poor compaction cause most settlement. Fix the cause first, or the problem returns.
Weeds in joints can be cleared and treated at the same visit. A smaller repair is often better value than lifting a whole driveway.
What affects the quote
We do not show prices. The main cost drivers are the area, the paver type, the base preparation, the slope and the access for tools and materials. Removing old paving or concrete adds to the job, as does cutting around curves, steps and drains.
Tell us what you want, the approximate size in square metres and the soil type if you know it. Add photographs and note any trees, pipes or drainage issues. If you live in an estate or complex, check the rules on colours and materials before you choose, since the HOA may need to approve.
Comparing quotes for paving
The lowest figure is not always the best deal. When your quotes arrive, check:
- Scope: exactly what is included, from preparation and materials to rubble removal and clean-up.
- Materials: the brand, grade or quantity allowed for, and who buys and delivers them.
- Timing: when the work can start, how long it takes and what happens if it rains.
- Guarantee and terms: any workmanship guarantee, deposit, payment stages and how long the price holds.
What to include in your request
- State the area in square metres, or give the length and width.
- Say whether it is a driveway, pool surround or path.
- Attach photographs of the site, slope and drainage.
- Mention old paving or concrete that must be removed.
- Note any HOA rules on colour or material.
Frequently asked questions
Do you lay paving?
Why does my paving sink or go uneven?
Is sealing paving worth it?
How do paving quotes work?
Paving by province
- Paving Gauteng
- Paving Mpumalanga
- Paving North West
- Paving Limpopo
- Paving Northern Cape
- Paving Free State
- Paving KwaZulu-Natal
- Paving Eastern Cape
- Paving Western Cape
Paving by city and town
- Paving in Johannesburg
- Paving in Pretoria
- Paving in Centurion
- Paving in Midrand
- Paving in Sandton
- Paving in Randburg
- Paving in Roodepoort
- Paving in Krugersdorp
- Paving in Randfontein
- Paving in Germiston
- Paving in Boksburg
- Paving in Benoni
- Paving in Kempton Park
- Paving in Alberton
- Paving in Vanderbijlpark
- Paving in Vereeniging
- Paving in eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Paving in Middelburg
- Paving in Secunda
- Paving in Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Paving in Rustenburg
- Paving in Brits
- Paving in Klerksdorp
- Paving in Potchefstroom
- Paving in Polokwane
- Paving in Tzaneen
- Paving in Lephalale
- Paving in Kimberley
- Paving in Kathu
- Paving in Upington
- Paving in Bloemfontein
- Paving in Welkom
- Paving in Sasolburg
- Paving in Durban
- Paving in Pinetown
- Paving in Pietermaritzburg
- Paving in Richards Bay
- Paving in Newcastle
- Paving in Ladysmith
- Paving in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- Paving in East London
- Paving in Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Paving in Cape Town
- Paving in Bellville
- Paving in Paarl
- Paving in Stellenbosch
- Paving in George
- Paving in Worcester
