Services · Construction · Driveways
Driveway construction, concrete, exposed aggregate, permeable.
A driveway is the first thing visitors see and the last thing you think about – until it cracks, settles or floods. Done properly, a driveway will see you out. The difference is rarely the material on top: it’s the sub-base, the drainage, and whether the contractor stuck around long enough to finish.
Concrete driveway Auckland
Engineered from the sub-base up.
A concrete driveway that holds up in Auckland weather is built from the ground up – proper excavation, solid basecourse, reinforcement, and drainage done right. Standard residential thickness is 100mm; heavier vehicles push that higher. Exposed aggregate finish costs slightly more and gives better grip on slopes.
Driveway landscaping
The bit between the slab and the garden.
Driveway landscaping is the bit most contractors skip – the planting strip alongside, the boundary treatment, the soft edge between concrete and lawn. Done well, driveway landscaping turns a slab into part of the garden. We design and install it as part of the same job.
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Driveway material options
Picked for the slope, the look and the budget.
01
Concrete
The workhorse. Strong, smooth, lasts decades, mid-range cost.
02
Exposed aggregate
Concrete with the stones exposed. Better grip, modern look.
03
Asphalt
Fastest to lay, lowest upfront cost, shorter lifespan.
05
Gravel
Cheap, charming, needs topping up every couple of years.
06
Permeable
Required on some Auckland properties under stormwater rules.
Driveway design
Sloped sites, curves, shared access.
Auckland is hilly. Half our driveway jobs involve a meaningful slope, a curve, or both. Steep approaches need careful gradient calcs (Council won’t pass a vehicle crossing steeper than the rules allow). Shared driveways need legal access discussion before excavation starts. A retaining wall at the driveway is common on the steeper sites. Getting curves right in the set-out makes all the difference to the final result.
Council vehicle crossings and stormwater rules
The permits, handled.
Auckland Council requires a vehicle crossing permit for new or significantly modified driveways. We manage the application, contractor coordination with Auckland Transport, and the inspection sign-off as part of the build. Sub-base and drainage: the 5-year vs 30-year difference.
Sub-base and drainage
The 5-year vs 30-year difference.
Auckland clay moves when it gets wet. A driveway laid over poorly prepared clay will crack, settle and crack again. We excavate deep, lay graded basecourse, compact in layers, and build in drainage where it’s needed. It’s the unglamorous part of the job and it’s the part that determines whether your driveway lasts.
What a driveway costs in Auckland
Rough numbers, per square metre.
Driveway cost is driven by material, size, sub-base condition, drainage and crossing works. In relative order from most economical to most premium: gravel, asphalt, concrete, exposed aggregate, then pavers. Every driveway is quoted after a site visit that includes the crossing and drainage assessment – the surface material is only one part of the price. Lifespan, sealing schedule, and when to replace: how long it should last.
As a relative guide: gravel is the most economical option. Concrete is the standard workhorse. Exposed aggregate adds a modest premium over concrete for better grip and finish. Pavers sit at the top of the range. Sub-base and crossing works can shift the total significantly depending on the site – we cost those separately in every quote so you can see exactly where the money goes.
Lifespan, sealing schedule, and when to replace
How long it should last.
Properly built concrete: 30+ years. Exposed aggregate: similar. Asphalt: 12-15 years before serious resurfacing. Pavers: individually replaceable indefinitely. Sealing isn’t strictly required for concrete in most cases, but a sealant every 5-10 years extends life and prevents staining.
More in landscape construction
Other things we build.
Get a driveway quote
Make your dream garden
a reality.
Tell us the length, the slope and the surface you’re after. We’ll quote it properly – crossing, drainage and sub-base included.
