Professionally built drivewaysin Torquay & surrounding areas
Driveway excavation, sub-bases and surfacing. We prepare the ground and build to the agreed levels, drainage design and surface specification.
- Director: 18 years' trade experience
- 11+ years trading in South Devon
- 1-year indemnity-backed guarantee
- Public liability insured
- City & Guilds bricklaying & carpentry
The part of a driveway you never see
A new driveway gives you off-road parking, better access and a smarter front to your property. On Torquay's hilly streets, safe, well-drained parking makes a real difference.
This service is for homeowners creating new parking, replacing a cracked or sinking drive, or improving access as part of a wider build.
You'll need one when an existing drive has sunk, cracked or started to hold water, or when you want to create parking where there isn't any.
Most driveway failures come from what's underneath. Ground preparation, sub-base depth and drainage decide how a drive performs. As a groundworks contractor, that's where we put the effort.
Why driveways fail
A driveway that looks fine on handover can fail within a year if the groundwork was skipped.
Sinking and rutting
A thin or poorly compacted sub-base lets the surface sink under car weight.
Standing water
Without falls and drainage, water pools on the drive or runs towards the house.
Cracking and loose surfaces
Surfaces laid on unstable ground crack, lift and break up.
Drainage rule problems
Some new front driveways must use permeable surfaces or drain to a permeable area.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Laying a new surface over an old, failing base.
- Not digging out enough to build a proper sub-base.
- Ignoring falls and where water will go.
- Not checking drainage requirements for front gardens.
Our driveways process
Step 1
Send your plans
Share your approved drawings and any structural calculations. We'll arrange a free site visit.
Step 2
Clear written price
You get a written quote for the work, with any fit-out priced separately if you want it.
Step 3
Excavation, sub-base and surfacing
We excavate to the right depth, lay and compact the sub-base, set edges and falls, and finish with the agreed surface.
Step 4
Building Control liaison
We can liaise directly with Building Control officers on site where inspections are required.
Step 5
Completion and guarantee
We hand over the finished work, covered by our 1-year indemnity-backed workmanship guarantee.
What you get with JB Carpentry and Building
Built from the ground up
Ground preparation and sub-base are our core groundworks.
Drains properly
Falls and drainage planned so water goes where it should.
Prepared sub-base
A properly compacted base resists sinking and rutting.
Fits with other work
Can be combined with extensions, landscaping or septic tank installs.
Tidy, defined edges
Edges and kerbs set to hold the surface in place.
Guaranteed workmanship
A 1-year indemnity-backed workmanship guarantee covers completed work.
Driveway construction and surface options
The surface is a choice of looks and budget; the sub-base is what makes it last.
Ground preparation
Excavating topsoil and unsuitable ground, then checking the formation below. Soft spots need dealing with before anything is built on top.
Sub-base
A compacted layer of crushed stone forms the structural base. Depth depends on the ground and the loads the drive will carry.
Surfacing options
Common choices include block paving, tarmac, resin, concrete and gravel. Each has different costs, maintenance and drainage characteristics.
Drainage and permeable surfaces
Drives can be built as permeable systems, or laid to falls with drainage channels. In England, new or replaced front driveways over a certain size may need planning permission unless they're permeable or drain to a permeable area.
Sloping sites and retaining
Hillside drives may need steps in the levels, retaining walls or extra drainage to manage water running downhill.
Related services
Based at 156 Newton Road, Torquay, Devon. Driveways across Torquay, Paignton, Totnes, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, South Hams, Teignbridge.
Planning your driveways project
Start with approved drawings
We work primarily from existing client plans, so the best time to contact us about driveways is once your architect's drawings and any planning consent are in place. Drawings fix the size, layout and specification, which helps us define the scope of the quote; any assumptions or changes should be agreed for your project. If your engineer has produced structural calculations, include them too; they set the foundation sizes, steel sections and fixings we'll build to.
Working with your architect and engineer
We regularly work alongside client architects and structural engineers. When a question comes up on site (an unexpected drain, softer ground than expected, or an existing wall that isn't what the drawings assumed), we can discuss it with your designer before proceeding and agree any necessary changes.
Building Control from first dig to sign-off
Most structural work needs Building Regulations approval and inspections at key stages, such as foundation excavations, damp-proof courses, drainage and structural elements before they're covered. We liaise directly with Building Control officers on site throughout the build, where required; inspection timing and approval depend on the relevant Building Control body.
Shell handover or full finish
Our core strength is the ground, the structure and the watertight shell. Once that's complete you have a choice: we can price and manage the internal fit-out (kitchens, bathrooms, doors, decorating) through our vetted specialist trades, or we can hand over at the shell stage so you can bring in your own finishing trades and control that part of the budget yourself. Either way, the structure your finishes sit on has been built by one accountable team.
Building in South Devon conditions
Site conditions vary across South Devon. Sloping plots, restricted access, existing drains, coastal exposure and older structures may affect your driveways project. Your architect or engineer can specify the measures required, and we can discuss the site conditions and agreed scope when preparing a quote.
What happens after you get in touch
Call Jake or send your drawings through the contact page. We'll look over the plans, arrange a free site visit at a time that suits you, Monday to Saturday, and walk the site with you to understand access, ground conditions and how you want the project finished. You'll then receive a clear, written quote setting out what's included, so you can compare it properly and decide with confidence.
One team, managed start to finish
A core in-house team of six handles groundworks, brickwork, blockwork and structural carpentry, growing to as many as 15 with long-standing subcontractors on larger projects. Director Jake Brown brings 18 years of hands-on trade experience and the company has been trading across South Devon for over 11 years. You get one point of contact, clear communication and strict quality control on every stage.
Want to know more about the team? Read about us or go back to the homepage.
Driveways questions
Got your plans?Get a clear price.
Free site visit and a written quote. Director Jake Brown brings 18 years of trade experience. All completed work carries a 1-year indemnity-backed workmanship guarantee.