Driveways
Wheels test the base and edges. Sort wheel paths, restraint and drainage before you worry about colour.
Driveway paving in MelbourneMade By Mobbs · Melbourne landscaping
Melbourne Paving Cost Guide
The pattern matters less than what sits underneath: drainage, base depth and how the area will be used. This guide walks through materials and preparation so you can compare quotes on similar work.
Estimate Your Paving Cost
Choosing the right paving layout
Patterns change cutting time and how fussy the lay is when levels aren’t perfect. Sort the layout before you lock in a paver colour.
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Crazy paving
Irregular stone pieced in by hand. Takes longer than grid paving; joints and drainage need a clear plan before you start.
Rough cost for this layout → -
Filetti
Long thin pieces in a broken stack. Expect plenty of cuts and waste on tight curves, same as tighter crazy paving.
Rough cost for this layout → -
French pattern
Mixed tile sizes in a fixed repeat. Needs careful set-out; suits big flat areas when levels run true.
Rough cost for this layout → -
Herringbone
Rectangles laid in a zig-zag so joints lock. Common on driveways and paths; borders mean extra cuts.
Rough cost for this layout → -
Steppers
Stepping stones through lawn or gravel. Fewer square metres on the ground, more time getting each stone level.
Rough cost for this layout → -
Stretcher bond
Simple offset rows. Quick when your grid stays square; a crooked bond line is obvious on long runs.
Rough cost for this layout →
What affects paving cost
Quotes follow excavation depth, base build-up and where water goes. Below is what usually shifts Melbourne prices.
- Size (m²) Area scales material volumes and laying time; edge detail and cuts often grow with perimeter.
- Base type Crushed rock vs concrete base changes preparation depth, compaction, and long-term stability.
- Material type Natural stone, concrete pavers, and porcelain differ in supply cost, thickness, and handling. Pavers on driveways almost always need to be 30mm thick.
- Site conditions Access, slope, demolition, drainage, and soil all affect machine use and labour hours.
- Use & Longevity Paving on driveways should always be laid on a concrete base. We recommend laying all solid paving on concrete to minimise the risk of heaving and depressions.
Why paving projects fail
- Choosing on price only — The lowest quote can miss base spec or drainage; compare scope, not just dollars.
- Poor base preparation — Skipping depth, compaction, or correct bedding leads to movement and failures.
- Ignoring drainage — Water must be managed away from structures and across the paved surface.
- Wrong material for use — Driveways, pool surrounds, and paths need different thickness and slip resistance.
Which outdoor zone are you paving?
A driveway wears differently from a pool deck: wheels, turning and stormwater vs wet feet, coping and slip ratings. Start from how you use the space, then pick stone and base.
Pool surrounds
Falls, drainage and how paving meets coping matter beside water. Stone choice comes after that.
Pool paving in MelbourneCompare layouts and bases
Short reads when you’re torn between options—check each against access, slope and how long you need the paving to stay level.
Crazy paving vs French pattern
Random fitted stone versus fixed modular repeats—labour, waste and where each style fits.
Open the comparisonWet bed vs concrete base: what lasts longer?
Mortar on crushed rock versus slab and adhesive—different answers for cars, pools and drainage.
How bases differMelbourne paving costs explained
What shows up on quotes so you can match the calculator to your site—not a generic per m² guess.
Read the cost breakdownEach site has its own falls, soil and traffic. A fixed price needs preparation spelt out—not a square-metre thumb rule.
Ready to scope the work properly?
Book a site visit when you want drainage, structure and finishes lined up with the rest of the garden, not patched in later.
Book a site visit with Made By Mobbs