Driveways and Patios That Add Value to a Home
Off-street parking, kerb appeal and outdoor living space: how the right driveway and patio make a home easier to sell or let, and what to plan for first.
When people talk about adding value to a home, they usually mean extensions and new kitchens. But the outside matters too. A tired, cracked drive is the first thing a buyer or tenant sees, and a usable patio extends the living space for half the year. Both are projects where planning and good groundwork matter far more than the finish.
Off-street parking and kerb appeal
Off-street parking is high on many wish lists, especially on busy streets. If the house has no drive at all, a new one will usually need a dropped kerb approved by the council, which should be arranged before work starts. Where there is already a drive, replacing a worn surface is one of the quickest ways to lift the front of a property.
Choosing a surface
- Tarmac: practical and cost-effective, in black or colours
- Block paving: a wide choice of patterns and colours, and easy to repair
- Resin bound: a smooth, seamless finish that resists weeds and moss
- Imprinted concrete: a patterned finish at a mid-range price
Resin has become a popular choice for period and modern homes alike. A resin bound driveway in Coventry laid on a porous base lets rainwater soak through, so it does not need extra drainage. Resin bonded, where loose stone is scattered over resin on a solid base, is cheaper but not permeable.
Planning rules for front gardens
Laying more than 5m² of hard surface in a front garden usually needs planning permission if rainwater runs off onto the road. A permeable surface, or one that drains to a lawn, border or soakaway, avoids this. A good installer will plan the falls and drainage at survey stage.
Patios: more living space
A well-built patio is one of the most used parts of a family home. Indian sandstone gives a natural, varied look, while porcelain barely absorbs water and keeps its colour, which makes it easy to keep clean. Experienced patio installers in Coventry bed each slab on a full mortar bed, set falls so rain runs away from the house and keep the finished surface at least 150mm below the damp-proof course.
Raised platforms are permitted development only up to 30cm above the ground, so a patio on a sloping garden may need careful levels or retaining walls.
For landlords
For a rental property, durability and low maintenance matter most. Block paving can be repaired a few blocks at a time, tarmac can be resurfaced over a sound base, and a porcelain patio needs little more than an occasional wash. Getting the groundwork right first time saves repeated call-outs later.
The outside of a property deserves as much thought as the inside. For more on investing in, maintaining and renovating property, see our property category.
