Is block paving right for every part of your plot?
No, and we say so. Block paving is excellent where cars park and people walk every day, but it is not the best answer for every square metre of a property with land. A long rural drive, an occasional parking area or the edge of an orchard may be better served by compacted gravel, grass grids or simply well-kept ground.
When you ask us for a quote in Alhaurín el Grande, we look at how each area is used before proposing anything. Paving less but doing it properly is often the better investment.
- Pave: the entrance, the main parking space, paths to the door, and the area around the house where water must be led away.
- Consider grids or gravel: overflow parking, turning areas used now and then, routes to sheds or stables.
- Leave natural: areas that only see a wheelbarrow or the occasional walk.
Where in Alhaurín el Grande do we work?
Across the whole municipality, including Villafranco del Guadalhorce and Alhaurín Golf, as well as the town itself. Alhaurín el Grande is inland, in the Valle del Guadalhorce comarca, and we reach it from our base in Marbella like any other part of the province.
If your home is in a golf or residential development with shared roads and gardens, those common areas depend on the community of owners. A drive or terrace on your own plot is usually your decision, within any community rules on appearance.
If your property has land around the house, there is usually more room for deliveries and storage than at a coastal townhouse. What tends to take longer is the preparation: clearing vegetation, removing old surfaces laid without a base, and sorting out where water should go across a wider area.
Why do edges matter so much on larger plots?
Because long paved runs without firm edges slowly spread. On a property with a garden, the paving often ends against soil or lawn rather than a wall, and without a kerb the outer blocks drift outwards under car wheels. A properly bedded kerb, straight or curved like the one in the photo, keeps the surface tight.
Our page on kerbs and edge restraint explains the types. For the surface, concrete block paving is the common choice for drives, and natural stone setts and slabs suit paths and courtyards where a rustic look is wanted. Where permeability matters, see permeable paving and grass grids.
What else should you know before starting?
On non-urban land the planning rules for works can differ from those in a town centre; the town hall can confirm which procedure applies to your plot. Our permits and rules guide explains the framework.
For a faded or stained surface that is still sound, our sister site covers surface renovation in Alhaurín el Grande. Price factors are on what moves the cost of paving, and the Valle del Guadalhorce page lists neighbouring municipalities. Send us a photo and the approximate m² – free, no-obligation quote: contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Do you work in Alhaurín Golf and Villafranco del Guadalhorce?
Yes. Both are part of Alhaurín el Grande and within our working area, as is the town itself and the rest of the municipality. We plan each job around the property's access and layout.
Would you ever advise against block paving?
Yes. For areas that see little traffic, or long rural tracks, gravel or grass grids can do the job at lower cost and keep the ground permeable. We would rather pave less and do it well than pave everything.
What paving suits a long drive on a country property?
If the whole drive must be paved, concrete blocks on a compacted base with kerbs on both sides is the robust choice. Alternatives are paved wheel tracks with gravel between them, or paving only the final stretch near the house.
Why does my paving keep spreading at the edge of the lawn?
Most likely there is no firm kerb or the existing one has moved. Without restraint, outer blocks shift sideways and joints open. Installing a properly bedded kerb along that edge stops the movement.
Can you lay curved paths and kerbs?
Yes. Curved kerbs and cut pavers allow flowing paths and drives. Curves take more cutting than straight lines, which is reflected in the labour, but they often suit a garden setting better.
Is natural stone practical for a country house courtyard?
It is. Stone setts or slabs on a sound base wear well and suit rustic architecture. Choose a stone and finish meant for outdoor paving, with a surface texture that is not too smooth.
Do I need permission to pave on non-urban land?
Rules for works on rustic land can be stricter than in urban areas. Check with the Alhaurín el Grande town hall which procedure applies to your plot before starting.
Can water from a large paved area be absorbed on site?
Often, yes. We can direct runoff into planted beds, a gravel soakaway area or permeable paving zones, rather than onto a neighbour's land or the road. The layout depends on the plot's levels.
Can I get a quote without travelling to Alhaurín el Grande?
Yes. Photos and approximate m² give us enough for a first estimate. A visit with you or someone you trust then confirms measurements, access and levels before the final written quote.
Do you take away old concrete and soil?
Yes. Rubble and excavated material go to an authorised facility, priced as a separate line. Clean soil can sometimes stay on the plot for landscaping if you want it.