Gravel driveway topping up in Exeter
Professional gravel driveway topping up services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£160-£310+ (incl materials)
Typical Duration
3-6 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Gravel driveway topped up with fresh stone - I work out quantities, arrange delivery, spread it evenly, rake smooth, and compact it down. Restores coverage, improves drainage, looks tidy again.
Bring Back That Fresh Gravel Look
Bare patches showing through? Gravel worn thin from years of traffic? Fresh topping up transforms a tired drive - and it's way cheaper than starting from scratch.
💡 Pro tip: Gravel naturally migrates and thins over time - tyres push it to the edges, rain washes it, feet carry it away. Topping up every 3-5 years is normal maintenance, not a sign something's wrong.
Why Gravel Thins Out
| Issue | Cause | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Bare patches | Traffic wears through to base | Looks scruffy, puddles form |
| Gravel at edges | Vehicles push it sideways | Centre too thin, edges too thick |
| Sinking in | No membrane under gravel | Disappears into soft ground |
| Washing away | Poor drainage or no edging | Constant gravel loss |
Topping up fixes the appearance - but if there's an underlying cause, I'll flag it so you can decide whether to address it now or later.
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Measure | Calculate area, work out quantity needed |
| Order | Arrange delivery from local supplier |
| Spread | Rake and distribute evenly across surface |
| Compact | Mechanical compaction for stable finish |
📦 You're Left With
- Even depth across whole drive
- Fresh, clean appearance
- Improved drainage
- Stable surface, ready to use
Pricing Guide
Gravel topping up is quoted based on area and quantity needed:
| Drive Size | Gravel Needed | Labour | Total Typical Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (20m²) | 2 bulk bags | 3 hrs (£160) | £250-£300 |
| Medium (40m²) | 4 bulk bags | 4 hrs (£210) | £350-£450 |
| Large (60m²) | 6 bulk bags | 5-6 hrs (£260-£310) | £500-£650 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after, plus gravel at roughly £45-70 per bulk bag delivered (prices vary by supplier/stone type).
Materials paid direct to supplier. Labour covers delivery coordination, spreading, levelling, and compaction.
Choosing Your Gravel
Popular options:
- 10mm pea gravel - small, rounded, comfortable underfoot
- 20mm gravel - standard driveway size, good balance
- Cotswold buff - honey tones, traditional look
- Slate grey - modern, doesn't show dirt
- Red granite - bold colour, high contrast
I'll show you samples at the merchant so you see exactly what you're getting.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Thinning coverage - restore depth before base shows
✅ Refresh appearance - tidy up before selling or events
✅ After building work - replace gravel damaged by skips/deliveries
✅ Regular maintenance - keep it looking good and draining properly
Why Choose Us for Gravel driveway topping up in Exeter?
Fresh gravel matched to your existing or chosen new
Properly spread for even depth and coverage
Compacted for immediate stability
Arranged delivery from local suppliers
What to Expect
Step 1: Measure & Quote
I'll measure your drive, calculate quantity needed, and quote labour. I'll also get a materials price from local suppliers so you know total cost before ordering.
Step 2: Delivery Coordination
I arrange delivery for when I'll be there to spread it. Bulk bags get dropped on your drive - supplier needs vehicle access and clearance (lorries are big!).
Step 3: Spread & Compact
I spread the gravel evenly, rake it smooth to the right depth (40-50mm), then compact it all down with a plate compactor. Clean edges, tidy finish.
🔧 DIY Tips
Topping up gravel is very DIY-friendly if you're prepared for the physical work:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Landscape rake (wider than garden rake)
- Wheelbarrow (essential if bags dropped at roadside)
- Shovel
- Plate compactor (hire £40-60/day)
- Tape measure for depth checking
📦 Ordering gravel
- Measure your area (length × width in metres)
- Decide on depth (40-50mm is standard for topping up)
- Calculate: Area × depth = volume in cubic metres
- Order in bulk bags (roughly 0.6m³ each)
- Example: 40m² × 0.05m = 2m³ = 3-4 bulk bags
🏗️ The process
- Rake existing gravel to see current depth
- Note any really thin areas (might need more there)
- When delivery arrives, place bags where you can access easily
- Empty bags gradually, spreading as you go (don't dump it all in one spot!)
- Rake to even depth across whole area
- Compact with plate compactor in overlapping passes
- Rake again lightly to smooth out compactor marks
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Under-ordering (running short is frustrating)
- Over-ordering (surplus gravel is a pain to shift)
- Not compacting (loose gravel shifts and spreads thin quickly)
- Uneven depth (looks patchy, wears unevenly)
- Forgetting to check lorry access before ordering delivery
💡 Pro trick: Lay the gravel when it's dry - wet gravel is much heavier to wheelbarrow and harder to rake level. Check the forecast and plan for a dry day or two.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚚 Delivery access. Gravel lorries are big (7.5 tonne minimum, often bigger). They need straight access, good headroom clearance, and somewhere to drop bulk bags. If access is tight, you might need to arrange tipping on the road and wheelbarrowing it - I'll help work out what's practical.
Using a membrane? If your gravel keeps disappearing into soft ground, it needs a weed membrane underneath. Worth doing when you top up - stops gravel sinking and reduces weed growth. I can install membrane first, then add fresh gravel on top.
Exeter's older properties? Your drive might not have proper edging or base. Topping up makes it look better temporarily, but without edge restraint the new gravel will just spread and thin again. I'll advise honestly on whether edging should be done at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much gravel will I need for my driveway?
Rule of thumb: 1 bulk bag (roughly 850kg) covers about 10m² at 50mm depth. So a typical single driveway (30-40m²) needs 3-4 bulk bags. I'll measure up and work out exactly what you need - better to get it right than over-order or run short halfway through.
Can you match my existing gravel colour and size?
I'll try - bring a sample in a sandwich bag to the builder's merchant and we'll find the closest match. Gravel batches vary naturally, so exact matches are tough, but we can get close. If your existing is really faded, fresh stuff will look brighter initially but weathers in within months.
Do you arrange gravel delivery or do I need to order it?
I can arrange it - I'll tell you what's needed, order from a local supplier, coordinate delivery, and be there when it arrives. Saves you the hassle of working out quantities and timing. You just pay the supplier directly for materials, me for labour.
How long does topping up a driveway take?
Depends on quantity and access. Average single drive (3-4 bulk bags) usually takes 3-4 hours including spreading, raking level, and compacting. Bigger drives or difficult access (wheelbarrowing from the road) takes longer - maybe 5-6 hours. I'll estimate once I see your setup.
Can I use the driveway straight away after topping up?
After I've compacted it, yes - the surface is stable immediately. It'll settle a tiny bit over the first few days with traffic, but it's perfectly usable straight away. I'll compact it properly so you're not driving on loose, shifting gravel.
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