A full dig-out
A driveway has to carry the weight of cars, so it cannot be laid on old garden soil. We dug the whole front garden out with a mini digger so the new driveway could be built on a proper base.
Case study · Cheam SM3 · May 2026
Block paving driveway and new deck in Cheam
Nick's front garden in Cheam was fully dug out and turned into a new Marshalls block paving driveway, laid in a herringbone pattern with a contrasting border and a channel drain running to a soakaway. At the back, we built a new softwood deck on a frame set on posts. Full dig-out and full install, front and back, in seven days for £8,000 including VAT.
- Location
- Cheam, SM3
- Client
- Nick
- Price
- £8,000 inc. VAT
- Time on site
- 7 days
- Driveway
- Marshalls block paving, herringbone
- Deck
- Softwood, frame on posts
Where we started
The brief
Nick wanted two things done at the house in Cheam: a new driveway in place of the old front garden, and a new deck in the back garden, both completed as one project.
At the front, that meant a full dig-out and a new block paving driveway built properly from the ground up. At the back, a new timber deck. It is a good example of the driveways in Cheam and decking in Cheam we build.
Before & after
The same home, seven days apart
The tricky parts
What went into it
Step by step
How we built it
Dig-out with a mini digger
The front garden was dug out with a mini digger to make room for the new driveway base.
Mini digger digging out the front garden in Cheam 
Front garden dug out ready for the driveway base Base, channel drain and soakaway
The base was prepared and screeded level, and a channel drain was installed along the driveway, draining to a soakaway.
Driveway base screeded level before the blocks 
Channel drain installed along the new driveway Laying the block paving
The Marshalls blocks were laid in a herringbone pattern with a contrasting border, and cut neatly to the edges.
Laying the herringbone block paving 
Border blocks being cut and fitted The finished driveway
With all the blocks laid, the driveway was cleaned down and ready to use.
Finished block paving driveway in Cheam 
Herringbone blocks with a charcoal border Building the deck
In the back garden, the softwood deck frame was built on posts and levelled, then the boards were fixed on top.
Building the timber deck frame in the back garden 
Deck frame levelled before the boards go on The finished deck
The finished deck gives a level space for seating in the back garden.
Finished timber deck in Cheam 
New deck in the back garden
The finished work
The finished driveway and deck
Budget
What it cost
This project came to £8,000 including VAT over seven days, covering the full dig-out of the front garden, the Marshalls block paving driveway with its border, the channel drain and soakaway, and the new softwood deck on posts at the back. A bigger driveway or composite decking would change the price. See our driveways in Cheam page for more options.
Get a free quote- Price
- £8,000 inc. VAT
- Time on site
- 7 days
- Driveway
- Marshalls block paving, herringbone
Questions
About block paving driveways and decking
Thinking about something similar? These are the questions we hear most.
How much does a block paving driveway cost in Cheam?
Nick's project in Cheam SM3 came to £8,000 including VAT in seven days, covering a full dig-out, a Marshalls block paving driveway in herringbone with a border, a channel drain to a soakaway, and a new softwood deck at the back. A driveway on its own costs less; size and the blocks you choose make the biggest difference.
Why lay block paving in herringbone?
Herringbone blocks lock together, so they resist the twisting and braking forces of cars better than blocks laid in straight lines. It is the strongest pattern for driveways.
Do I need a drain on my driveway?
Often, yes. A channel drain collects rainwater from the paving so it does not run towards the house or onto the pavement. On Nick's driveway it runs to a soakaway, so the water drains into the ground on the property.
Do I need planning permission for a new driveway?
Not usually, if the surface is permeable or rainwater drains to a soakaway or border within your property, as on Nick's driveway. Non-permeable driveways over 5 square metres that drain onto the road can need permission.
What is a soakaway?
A soakaway is an underground chamber or pit filled with crates or rubble that collects rainwater and lets it soak slowly into the surrounding ground, so it does not overload the drains.
Can you build a driveway and a deck in one project?
Yes. Nick's driveway and deck were done together in seven days, which keeps disruption to one visit.
Do you work near Cheam?
Yes, including Sutton, Carshalton and North Cheam. See all our landscaping in Cheam.
Free survey
Planning a new driveway or deck?
Tell us about your garden and we will arrange a visit and a written quote.
020 3633 5529 info@finelandscape.co.ukFine Landscape Ltd
31 Tylecroft Road, Norbury, London SW16 4BL
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