Preparing your property before paving work starts
By Janice · Updated 2026-07-13
A paving job runs more smoothly, and often faster, when the property is ready for the crew on day one rather than them working around obstacles you could have cleared beforehand. Most of this is simple, but it’s easy to overlook until a van is already outside.
Clear access, in both directions
Move vehicles off the driveway and, ideally, off the street directly outside if a skip or delivery needs that space. Arrange parking for the full length of the job rather than only the start, since materials often arrive in stages. If access is naturally tight (a narrow shared driveway, a terraced street with limited parking), flag this to the contractor at the quote stage so they can plan for it rather than discovering it on the first morning. If you haven’t settled on a contractor yet, our list of questions to ask a paving contractor before you hire covers what to confirm before you sign anything.
Talk to your neighbours
If a skip, van or machinery is going to sit on a shared access, partly block a pavement, or run for more than a day or two, a quick word with neighbours beforehand goes a long way. Blocked access during paving work is one of the more common sources of neighbour friction on a job, and it’s entirely avoidable with a bit of notice given in advance rather than an apology given after.
Protect what you want kept
Contractors focused on excavation and groundwork aren’t necessarily thinking about a border of plants near the edge of the work area or an old fence panel close to where a skip will sit. If there’s something you want protected or moved, do it yourself beforehand or discuss it clearly with the contractor before work starts, rather than assuming it’ll be handled with the same care you’d give it.
Know what’s underground
Ask whether your contractor checks for utility pipes and cables before digging, and mention anything you know about past work on the property, an extension, a soakaway, drainage alterations, that might have moved where things run compared to a standard layout. This matters more on older properties where past work isn’t always fully documented.
Keep pets and children clear
An active paving site has open trenches, a plate compactor running, and a skip or delivery vehicle coming and going, none of it designed with curious pets or children in mind. Plan for where they’ll be kept during working hours, whether that’s indoors, at a neighbour’s, or simply a clear instruction to stay off the work area, and mention to the crew if a pet has a habit of slipping out the back gate.
Think about noise and timing
Compaction, cutting and machinery all generate noise, and a multi-day job means several days of it rather than a single afternoon. If you work from home, look after a baby’s nap schedule, or have a neighbour who works nights, it’s worth asking the contractor roughly what time they start each morning and whether louder tasks happen at a particular stage of the job, so you can plan around it rather than being caught off guard.
A pre-work checklist
| Task | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Move vehicles for the full job duration | Machinery and deliveries need consistent access, not just day one |
| Notify neighbours if access will be shared or blocked | Avoids avoidable friction on shared driveways or narrow streets |
| Move or protect plants, fencing near the work area | Contractors focus on the job itself, not incidental surroundings |
| Flag known past groundwork or utility runs | Helps avoid unexpected pipework or cabling during excavation |
| Confirm where waste and materials will be stored on site | Keeps deliveries and spoil from blocking access unexpectedly |
| Plan for pets and children to be kept clear of the site | Open trenches and machinery are a real hazard during the works |
On the first morning
Confirm with the crew where they’ll be working from, where materials and waste will sit for the duration, and roughly what the first couple of days will involve so you know what to expect. A contractor who talks you through this without being asked is generally one who’s organised about the rest of the job too.
Once you’re ready to book, our Cheltenham paving contractor directory can help you compare local firms, scored using the method explained on our methodology page.
FAQ
- Do I need to move my car before the job starts?
- Yes, and often for the whole duration if the work is on your driveway. Arrange alternative parking for the job's length, not just the first day, since machinery and material deliveries need the space throughout.
- Should I tell my neighbours before work starts?
- It's worth it, especially if a skip, van or machinery will partly block a shared driveway or narrow street. A quick heads-up avoids friction that's entirely avoidable with a bit of notice.
- What should I do about plants or fencing near the work area?
- Move or protect anything close to the boundary of the job yourself if you're attached to it, since a contractor focused on groundwork isn't necessarily going to work around delicate planting unless you've flagged it in advance.
- How do I find out where utility pipes and cables run under my property?
- Ask your contractor if they run a cable and pipe locator check before digging, and mention any past work you know of (extensions, drainage) that might have altered where things run.