Paving contractors do far more than lay bricks in a pattern. Most of a driveway's life is decided underneath: the digging, the compacted base, the 20 to 30 mm of bedding sand, the falls that carry water away and the edge kerbs that stop the pavers creeping. Get that right and the pavers stay flat for years; skip it and you get ruts, sunken patches and weeds. Send one free, no-obligation request with the area and the job, and paving contractors near you quote you directly.
What paving contractors do
A full paving job usually runs in this order:
- Dig out to the right depth and remove soil and roots.
- Lay and compact a base in layers, thicker for driveways than for paths.
- Set edge restraints: kerbs or a concrete haunch.
- Screed 20 to 30 mm of bedding sand.
- Lay the paving bricks, cut the edges and sweep in joint sand.
- Run a plate compactor over the top to bed the pavers and lock the joints.
Choosing paving contractors near you
- References. Go and look at a driveway they laid a year or more ago. Look for ruts, sunken spots and open joints.
- A written quote with the area in m², the base depth, the paver type and thickness, and the pattern.
- Supplied and laid, or labour only. If you buy the pavers, the contractor should still say which thickness suits the job: 50 or 60 mm for paths, 80 mm for heavy traffic.
- Drainage. Ask where the water will go, and how they handle a slope or a retaining wall.
Laying it right: common paving mistakes
- Pavers laid on loose soil or on bedding sand alone, with no compacted base.
- Stretcher bond on a driveway. Herringbone resists turning wheels best.
- No falls, so water ponds against the house or under the garage door.
- Weak edges, so the outer rows spread and the pattern opens up.
- Pavers bought in several lots, so the colour changes halfway.
- Skipping the final pass with the compactor and joint sand.
What paving costs, and what to ask
The price depends on the area, how much digging and base the ground needs, the paver, the pattern, the number of cuts and access for a tipper. Ask:
- How deep is the base, and what material is it?
- Are rubble removal and edge kerbs included?
- Who supplies the pavers and the sand?
- Is there a guarantee on sinking?
What to include in your request
- The area in m² and what it is for
- What is on the ground now
- The paver type, colour and thickness
- Supplied and laid, or labour only
- Access for a tipper and rubble removal
Paving Contractors for different clients
- Homeowners: a new driveway, a path to the back door or paving around a pool
- Builders and bricklaying contractors: a paving subcontractor to finish driveways and walkways at handover
- Housing developers and complexes: paved internal roads, parking bays and entrances across a complex
- Brickyards and block yards: a paver yard sending its customers to contractors who lay its pavers well
- New brick-making businesses: a small paver maker offering supply and lay with a local paving team
- Farms and smallholdings: paved yards at sheds, dairies and farmhouses where tractors turn
- Municipalities, schools and public works: paved school walkways, clinic entrances and municipal sidewalks
- Landscapers and paving teams: paving teams laying driveways and patios alongside planting and walls
Frequently asked questions
How much do paving contractors charge per m²?
Published guides put most home paving, supplied and laid, at about R300 to R800 per m². Plain cement pavers on good ground sit at the lower end; interlocking or clay pavers, a deep base, rubble removal and lots of cuts push it up. Natural stone can pass R1,000 per m². Compare quotes on the same base depth.
Which paving pattern is best for a driveway?
Herringbone, laid at 45 or 90 degrees, is the strongest for driveways because each paver is held on several sides and resists cars turning and braking. Stretcher bond and basket weave look neat on paths and patios but tend to creep under traffic. Use thicker pavers where vehicles drive.
How long does a paving job take?
A small path or patio may take a day or two; a full driveway can take a week or more once digging, base work and kerbs are counted. Rain, rock, tree roots and slow rubble removal all add time. Ask each contractor for a start date and a time for each stage.
Can I lay my own paving?
A garden path or patio is a fair DIY job if you dig out properly, compact the base and set firm edges. A driveway is harder: it needs a deep compacted base, good falls and a plate compactor. Many people hire a paving contractor for the base and the edges even if they lay the pavers.
Paving Contractors by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg