We're a local Harpenden business. 5 Star Driveways & Patios Specialist Ltd lays driveways and patios and builds garden walls for homes all over Harpenden. We'll come out for a free site survey and give you a clear, written quote. Call 01582 932001, or call or WhatsApp 07747 430338.
This page is an overview of everything we do in Harpenden. For more detail, see our Harpenden driveways page and our Harpenden patios page.
About Harpenden
Harpenden is a town in Hertfordshire. Its local councils are:
1. St Albans City and District Council, the main council. This is the one for planning.
2. Harpenden Town Council, the parish council for the town.
The town sits across two valleys. The town centre and Harpenden Common are in one. The River Lea runs through the other, on the north-east side.
Areas we work in
We work in every part of Harpenden, including:
1. The town centre and the streets around Harpenden Common.
2. Batford, to the north-east, in the Lea valley.
3. Roundwood, to the north-west.
4. Hatching Green, to the south.
5. Southdown and the West Common area.
We also work in these places close to the town:
1. Kinsbourne Green, to the west. This is in St Albans district, but in Harpenden Rural parish, not Harpenden Town.
2. Redbourn, to the south-west, and Wheathampstead, to the east. Both are in St Albans district.
3. Sandridge, to the south-east. This is in St Albans district.
4. Kimpton, to the north-east. This is in North Hertfordshire, so the council is North Hertfordshire District Council.
Things to think about for a Harpenden home
1. Two valleys. Because the town spreads across two valleys, plenty of drives and gardens are on a slope. Good levels, and sometimes steps or a retaining wall, make a slope much easier to live with.
2. Your ground. Ground can change from one street to the next. On the free visit, we look at how your ground drains before we plan the base and any soakaway.
3. The conservation area. The centre of Harpenden is a conservation area. If your home is in it, or is listed, there may be extra rules for walls, gates and front gardens. We'll help you check with St Albans City and District Council.
What we do in Harpenden
1. Driveways. Resin bound, block paving, tarmac and gravel. Our Harpenden driveways page goes through each one.
2. Patios. Porcelain, or Indian sandstone and York stone. Our Harpenden patios page helps you choose.
3. Garden walls. Brickwork, pillars and front walls built to match, plus retaining walls for sloping gardens.
4. Drainage. Channel drains, and soakaways where the ground allows.
5. Decking. Timber and composite, at ground level or raised.
What affects the cost
Each Harpenden job is priced after a free visit. These are the things that make the difference:
1. The size and shape of the area.
2. The material and finish you choose.
3. How much digging there is, and how much spoil has to go.
4. Levels, steps and retaining walls.
5. The drainage needed.
6. Access for machinery and skips.
We put the quote in writing, and we never ask for a deposit.
How we do the job
1. Survey. A free visit to measure up, look at the ground and levels, and talk through your ideas.
2. Quote. A written quote setting out the materials, base and drainage.
3. Base. We take out the old surface and spoil, and lay a compacted sub-base.
4. Surface. Your new driveway or patio goes down, with edging, drainage and any walls.
5. Handover. We leave the site tidy, explain the aftercare and hand over your 10-year guarantee.
Most jobs are completed within a working week, Monday to Friday.
Local jobs
See more of our work in the gallery.
Harpenden questions
Is planning permission needed to pave my front garden in Harpenden?
You don't normally need permission if the new surface lets water soak through, or drains to a lawn or border. Covering more than 5 square metres with a solid surface that drains nowhere else usually does. Flats, listed homes and conservation areas may have extra rules, so check with St Albans City and District Council.
Which council do I deal with in Harpenden?
For planning, it's St Albans City and District Council. Harpenden Town Council is the parish council. If you live in Kinsbourne Green, that's Harpenden Rural parish. Kimpton is in North Hertfordshire.
How do I look after porcelain or natural stone in Harpenden?
Sweep it, clear leaves and wash it gently now and then. Most porcelain doesn't need sealing. We can seal natural stone if you'd like.
Can you build garden walls in Harpenden as well?
Yes. We build brick walls and pillars to match your home, and retaining walls where a garden slopes.
What does your guarantee cover in Harpenden?
Our 10-year guarantee covers the driveways, patios and walls we build. There's no deposit. See our guarantee and insurance page.
Do you work in Batford, Roundwood and Hatching Green?
Yes, and in every other part of Harpenden.
Nearby towns we cover
We also cover Wheathampstead, Redbourn, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead. See all the places we work on our areas we cover page.
Get your free Harpenden quote
Send my free quote request. Or call 01582 932001, or call or WhatsApp 07747 430338.