About First4Driveways
A family-run driveway, patio and landscaping firm based in Colchester, working across Essex and Hertfordshire.
We're a family-run driveway and patio firm based in Colchester. One team does the survey, the dig-out, the build and the sweep-up, for homes across Essex and into Hertfordshire.
Customers rate us 4.9 from 30 reviews on Google, 5.0 from 90 on Yell and 5.0 from 16 on Facebook. Most of them mention the same things: polite, hard-working lads, tidy sites and jobs finished when promised.
Why homeowners choose First4Driveways
The things customers mention in their reviews and the things we put in writing.
A written guarantee on every job
Ten years on block paving, resin and patios. Five years on tarmac and gravel. In writing, with the quote.
Free survey, then a written quote
Tom comes out, measures up and talks through the options. The price we quote is the price you pay.
Family-run in Colchester
Working across Essex and into Hertfordshire. One team from the first visit to the sweep-up.
Rated 4.9 on Google
From 30 reviews. Customers mention polite, hard-working lads, tidy sites and finishing on time.
Built on a proper base
Compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base, edge restraints and drainage falls under every drive, so it stays flat.
Fully insured
Public liability cover on every job, and we protect lawns, paths and the neighbours' side while we work.
How we work
We lay block paving, resin bound, tarmac, imprinted concrete and gravel driveways, build patios and landscape gardens. Tom comes out to measure up and talk it through, and the price goes in writing before anything is dug up. Nine of our Google reviewers mention him by name.
The price we quote is the price you pay: no hard selling and no hidden costs. On the job we turn up when we say, work to the schedule, and protect lawns, paths and the neighbours' side while we work.
Every drive goes down on a compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base with proper edges and drainage falls, which is why the guarantee goes in writing. See our recent work, or get in touch for a free survey.
A written guarantee on every installation
Every drive goes on a compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base with proper edge restraints and drainage falls, which is why we can put the guarantee in writing.
- 10-year written guarantee on block paving, resin and patios
- 5-year written guarantee on tarmac and gravel
- Free survey, then a written quote that doesn't change
- Fully insured, with public liability cover
How a new drive goes in
From the first visit to the day we sweep up. Every drive is built this way, which is why the guarantee is in writing.
Step 01 / 06
Free survey
We visit, measure up, look at drainage and access, and talk through surfaces and borders.
Step 02 / 06
Written quote
Materials named, guarantee stated, no hidden extras.
Step 03 / 06
Dig out and sub-base
Old surface out, compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base in to the right depth.
Step 04 / 06
Edges and drainage
Concrete-haunched edge restraints, with falls and channels for the water.
Step 05 / 06
The surface
Blocks in your pattern, resin trowelled to 18mm, or tarmac in two courses.
Step 06 / 06
Finish and hand over
Joints sanded, site swept, written guarantee handed over.
What customers say
Verbatim from Google. Names as they appear on the review.
4.9 from 30 Google reviews5.0 from 90 on Yell5.0 from 16 on Facebook
Jon Curson
August 2019 · Block paving
Would highly recommend. Thomas and his team removed our old concrete driveway then replaced and extended with block paving, all within 3 days. The end result looks great.
Jake Talbot
March 2024 · Driveway
Tom came to quote for a new driveway, found him very friendly and approachable. We went ahead and the end result was superb. Hard working guys. Fully recommend.
charlie willis-foreman
April 2025 · Porcelain patio
Just had these boys round to do my porcalin slabs in my garden and if I could I'd give these boys 6 stars , most friendly and hard working boys I've ever set eyes on. Also these boys smashed out breaking my concrete base for my shed and re concreted within the day.
Where we work
Based in Colchester, working across Essex and Hertfordshire. These towns have their own pages.
Colchester
Our base. Every service, across the town and the villages around it.
Our base
Chelmsford
Block paving, resin driveways and patios across Chelmsford. Free survey and written quote.
Driveways in Chelmsford
Braintree
About 16 miles from our Colchester base. Driveways, patios and landscaping with the same written guarantee.
Driveways in Braintree
Harlow
Block paving, resin driveways and patios across Harlow and Old Harlow. Free survey and written quote.
Driveways in Harlow
Hertford
Driveways, patios and landscaping across Hertford, Ware and the Hertfordshire villages around them.
Driveways in Hertford
St Albans
Block paving, resin driveways and patios across St Albans, Harpenden and the villages. Free survey and written quote.
Driveways in St Albans
Bishop's Stortford
About 36 miles from our Colchester base along the A120. Driveways, patios and landscaping with the same written guarantee.
Driveways in Bishop's Stortford
Southend
Block paving, resin driveways and patios from Leigh-on-Sea to Shoeburyness. Free survey and written quote.
Driveways in Southend
Brentwood
About 37 miles down the A12. Driveways and patios across Brentwood, Shenfield, Hutton and Ingatestone.
Driveways in Brentwood
Stevenage
Block paving, resin driveways and patios from the Old Town to Great Ashby. Free survey and written quote.
Driveways in Stevenage
Cambridge
Driveways, patios and landscaping across Cambridge and its villages, with the same written guarantee.
Driveways in Cambridge
Also covering: Witham, Clacton-on-Sea, Maldon, Halstead, Basildon, Billericay, Wickford, Rayleigh, Saffron Walden, Burnham-on-Crouch and the villages between. Not listed? Call and ask.
Get a free quote
Let's talk about your drive or patio
First4Driveways is a family-run business based in Colchester. Tom comes out to quote every job in person, talks through the options and materials, and puts the price in writing before anything is dug up. Block paving, resin and patios carry a written 10-year workmanship guarantee; tarmac and gravel carry five years.
- Free survey and a written quote
- Written guarantee on every job
- Fully insured, public liability cover
- Family-run, based in Colchester
Need to talk now?
Call Tom directly
Start your free quote
Tell us about the drive or garden and we'll arrange a free survey.