If your home does not have a driveway and you have the footprint to do so then this may be something that you want to consider. Not only for somewhere for your motor vehicle to be placed off road but projects like this (if completed effectively to high quality) potentially increase the value of your home. Getting a good quality driveway is not as difficult as you may think it is, however, if you do not think that you have the expertise to do so, you may be better phoning in the skilled tradesmen to do this on your behalf.
Preparation Is Key
One of the key elements of getting a good result from a driveway construction is the preparation you do in advance. This includes the surface. If the surface is hard or soft, the consequences can differ significantly. The same applies if the surface you are wanting to build the driveway on is on a slope. It is important the surface is hard and if there are soft surfaces then you will require to dig these out and fill with sub base. If you are using a concrete surface then you can use expansion joint filler to aid you. You do not want the driveway to be built and then a year later you have a weed problem with unwanted plants coming through the sides, therefore, taking the time out right from the very beginning is crucial for the longevity of the driveway.
Neighbours May Object
Although you are building something on your own property you are most likely going to require permission to do so from the authorities in advance. Making structural changes like this will need planning permission. One of the main reasons for this is that when you build a driveway you are effectively changing the outside parking conditions to say that no-one is allowed to park on the public road where you have the driveway entrance. This needs approval from the authorities who are more than likely to send a letter to your neighbours to see if they have any objections. If the neighbours do object then this will be taken into consideration by the authorities and they will make the final say on how to move forward. It is highly recommended not to go ahead and do this project without the approvals in place in advance or you could be hit with a fine.
It Doesn’t Suit Everyone’s Taste
Although building the driveway is likely to increase the value of your home, remember that it is not to everyone’s taste. As such, when selling the home, the potential buyers may not have a motor vehicle and actually have preferred to have had the extra land for a garden or similar. As such, do not jump to the immediate conclusion that by building a driveway you are making it more attractive for potential buyers if trying to sell the property.
Consider these things carefully when building a driveway.
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