Paving in Camden

Camden's reactive clay soils require a compacted crushed rock base of 100 mm minimum beneath pavers to prevent movement. Concrete pavers and clay bricks perform well with this base preparation. For alfresco areas, we recommend a poured concrete base under natural stone or porcelain tiles to prevent individual tile movement as the clay sub-base expands and contracts.

Most residential driveway paving in Camden is exempt development under the NSW Housing Code. However, Camden Council requires that hard surfaces on residential lots don't exceed a certain percentage of total lot area, and driveway crossings from the property to the road require a Section 138 approval from Camden Council. We include the crossing application process in our driveway paving quotes.

For Camden's reactive clay soils, we recommend a minimum 100 mm of compacted, crushed rock (road base) under pavers, with a 25 to 30 mm screed of coarse washed sand or granite dust on top. For driveways that take vehicle traffic, we increase the base to 150 mm compacted road base for long-term stability.

Concrete pavers are the most cost-effective option and come in a wide range of colours and sizes. They perform reliably on Camden's clay with proper base preparation. Natural stone — sandstone, bluestone and granite — is more expensive but offers a premium look that suits the rural character of Camden. Porcelain tiles offer a contemporary look at a mid-range price point.

Yes. We frequently work around established garden beds, existing retaining walls and mature trees in Camden. We hand-dig near tree root zones to avoid damage, cut pavers cleanly around curved garden bed edges, and integrate new paving with existing concrete or old pavers using matching or complementary materials.