Driveways and patios
Introduction
You've decided you want to run a driveway and patio paving business. Maybe you've been working for another building business for a while and feel the time is right to go it alone or perhaps you've spotted a gap in the local market. Whatever the reason, this guide will take you through the issues you need to consider and give you practical pointers on getting started.
Sector trends
Most sectors of the construction industry enjoyed plentiful demand for their services between the late 1990s and the mid 2000s. Landscapers and driveway specialists benefited as interest in garden design was boosted by television makeover programmes. Features like ornamental paving and patios became very fashionable and popular. There were some problems - skilled labour was hard to find and insurance costs rocketed for some - but a strong housing market and a growing economy meant there was generally plenty of work to go around.
Unfortunately things came unstuck during the late 2000s as the economy nose-dived and the housing market more or less collapsed. Many landscaping and construction industry businesses were forced to lay off staff and it became a struggle to find enough new work. People cut right back on spending on non-essentials like patios and ornamental driveways when they feel they're not well off.
There should always be demand for good skilled trades-people, but currently the trading climate is tough and the need for excellence has never been higher for paving and landscaping businesses that want to succeed.
1.1 Competition
As demand for paving services has increased the number of firms offering them has also risen and this is now a very competitive industry. Unfortunately, it is also one that has been targeted by unscrupulous 'cowboys' who take advantage of unwary homeowners by doing shoddy work at over-inflated prices. These cowboys have tarnished the image of the industry and it is very important that legitimate tradesmen uphold high standards to distinguish themselves from their disreputable competitors.
1.2 The environment
People have become more concerned about environmental and green issues in recent years. In some cases they have looked to use more sustainable ground-cover materials, such as waste wood-chippings or crushed shells. Flood prevention has become a particularly important issue as more and more home owners have dug up their front gardens and replaced them with block paving, concrete or tarmac. These types of hard surface allow water to drain off very quickly, increasing the risk of flash flooding after heavy rains. Other large hard surfaces, such as supermarket car parks, add to the problem. The paving industry has responded by developing permeable products which allow rainwater to drain through them more slowly, soaking into ground-waters rather than running off into drains and sewers. In 2008 planning rules were changed to require householders to apply for permission before paving over their front gardens with a non-permeable material.
1.3 Trade associations
An excellent way of demonstrating your professional integrity and staying up to date is to join a reputable trade association. Joining an association is also a very good way of keeping up to date with developments in the industry.
The main association serving the paving industry in the UK is - Interlay - the Association of Block Paving Contractors. The British Association of Landscape Industries also serves the paving, driveway and patio industry.
Interpave represents the concrete block manufacturing industry and is another source of useful information on new product development (www.paving.org.uk).
You could also consider joining the Guild of Master Craftsmen.
