Frequently Asked Questions

Patterned imprinted concrete in Liverpool typically costs between £80 and £100 per square metre for a full installation — including excavation, sub-base, concrete pour, colour, pattern imprinting and sealer. A standard 60m² driveway would be approximately £5,000–£6,500. Use our online calculator for a quick estimate, or call 0800 458 0139 for a free site survey and fixed price.

Yes. The quote you receive from Avant Gardens is the price you pay. We do not add extras on the day, we do not pressure you to upgrade, and we do not revise the price once work has started. What we quote is what you pay — no surprises, no exceptions.

Imprinted concrete is typically less expensive to install than quality block paving and significantly cheaper to maintain long-term. No weeds to treat, no re-levelling individual blocks, and resealing every few years is all that is needed. Over 10–20 years the total cost of ownership is considerably lower.

We discuss payment terms at the time of quoting. We do not require a large upfront deposit before work begins. Payment is typically arranged on completion once you are satisfied with the finished result. Call us on 0800 458 0139 for details specific to your project.

Yes, Avant Gardens & Driveways is VAT registered. A full VAT invoice is provided on completion of every job.

Every Avant Gardens driveway uses a 125mm concrete pour — that is 5 inches. This is fibre-reinforced and uses a minimum of 320kg of cement per cubic metre, supplied by a QSRMC accredited plant. This is significantly stronger than many competitors build to, and is the foundation of our lifetime guarantee. Read our full construction specification for complete details.

A typical driveway is excavated, sub-based, poured, coloured, patterned and sealed in a single day. Larger or more complex projects may take two days. This is one of the significant advantages of imprinted concrete over block paving, which can take 3–5 days for the same area.

We recommend waiting 28 days before driving on your new imprinted concrete driveway to allow it to reach full strength. You can walk on it after 2–3 days once the sealer has been applied and cured.

No — never. Every operative who works on your driveway is directly employed by Avant Gardens & Driveways. They wear our uniform and work to our code of conduct from day one. This is how we maintain consistent quality and honour our lifetime guarantee.

No. We add an anti-slip agent to the sealer coat as standard on every installation. This gives the surface a safe level of grip in wet conditions without affecting the finish or appearance of the concrete.

Yes. We install imprinted concrete on sloped driveways regularly across Liverpool and Merseyside. The gradient affects the preparation and drainage design but does not prevent installation. We assess each site individually during the free survey.

In most cases, no. Permitted development rules allow homeowners to replace a front driveway without planning permission, provided it drains correctly. We advise on drainage during the survey. If your property is listed or in a conservation area, different rules may apply.

The sealer has a noticeable solvent smell immediately after application. This typically dissipates within 24–48 hours depending on temperature and ventilation. We recommend keeping windows closed and avoiding prolonged exposure near the freshly sealed area on the day of application.

Spring through to autumn is generally optimal — concrete sets best in temperatures above 5°C. We do install through the winter but monitor conditions carefully and will reschedule if temperatures are too low. We book well in advance so we recommend getting in touch early regardless of time of year.

Yes. We work around existing drainage, manhole covers and inspection chambers as standard. Where necessary we can raise or lower covers to match the new surface level. We assess all drainage during the site survey.

When installed to our specification and resealed every 2–4 years, patterned imprinted concrete can last 25–30 years or more. Avant Gardens is the only company in Liverpool offering a lifetime guarantee on every driveway we install.

Our lifetime guarantee covers the structural integrity of the driveway — that it will not sink, subside or fail structurally as a result of how it was built. It is underpinned by our patented construction specification designed by Sean Smyth BA (Hons). Call 0800 458 0139 for full details.

Hairline surface cracks can occasionally appear in any concrete as it settles in the first year. Structural cracking — where the concrete drops or moves — should not occur on a properly built driveway. If you experience any cracking on an Avant Gardens installation, call us and we will assess it. See our concrete crack guide for more.

Yes. Our 125mm fibre-reinforced concrete specification is capable of taking very heavy loads, including vans, small lorries and skip wagons. It is significantly more resistant to heavy loads than block paving, which can sink and shift under repeated weight.

Yes. The acrylic sealer coat provides good resistance to oil, fuel and general staining. Most spills clean off with a pressure washer. See our oil cleaning guide for persistent marks. Resealing every 2–4 years maintains this protection.

Yes. Because imprinted concrete is a single seamless slab with no joints, there is nowhere for weed seeds to take hold in the surface. Weeds may occasionally appear at the very edges where the concrete meets a border — a quick treatment once or twice a year is all that is needed.

Maintenance is minimal. We recommend resealing every 2–4 years to keep the colour vibrant and surface protected. For everyday cleaning, a hose or pressure washer is all that is needed — no special detergents required. Avoid salt and ammonium nitrate-based ice melts.

Yes. A professional clean and reseal can dramatically restore a faded driveway. We offer this service across Liverpool and Merseyside. See our faded concrete guide or call 0800 458 0139 for a free assessment.

We recommend resealing every 2–4 years depending on traffic levels and sun exposure. Signs that resealing is due: colour looking faded or dull, water no longer beading on the surface, or the texture feeling rougher underfoot.

We strongly advise against it. Some ice melt products contain ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate which can corrode concrete and bleach the colour. Sand is a safer alternative for grip in icy conditions. Call us for a product recommendation if you are unsure.

Yes — a pressure washer is the best tool for cleaning imprinted concrete. Use a fan or rotary nozzle rather than a concentrated jet, and avoid excessive pressure in one spot which can wear the sealer over time.

Act quickly — the sooner you treat an oil stain the easier it is to remove. Apply an absorbent material such as cat litter to soak up excess oil, then use a degreaser and scrub with a stiff brush before rinsing. See our full oil cleaning guide.

Yes. We offer a professional clean and reseal service across Liverpool and Merseyside — for any existing imprinted concrete surface, not just those we originally installed. Call 0800 458 0139 for a quote.

We offer Modena, London Cobble, Old English Cobble, Tumbled Stone, Sandstone Ashlar, Basket Weave, Serpentine, Rose and more. Colours include charcoal, classic grey, steel grey, mahogany, sandstone, platinum and many others — often with a complementing antique agent for a two-tone effect. See our patterns page and colours page.

Modena is a smooth, clean rectangular flag pattern — modern in appearance and one of the most popular choices for contemporary homes. London Cobble is a smaller, rounded cobble pattern that gives a more traditional, period feel. Both are available in a full range of colours. Sean will advise on which suits your property during the free survey.

Imprinted concrete is poured as a single seamless slab and stamped with a pattern before it sets. Block paving uses individual bricks laid separately with joints between them. Imprinted concrete has no joints for weeds, never sinks the way individual blocks can, installs faster, and is generally less expensive for equivalent quality.

Yes. We install patterned imprinted concrete for driveways, patios, paths, steps, pool surrounds and any external areas. The same specification, the same directly-employed team, the same lifetime guarantee.

Yes — and it can make a significant difference to the finished look. A contrasting border in a different pattern or colour adds definition and a premium feel. We can also incorporate different colours to delineate parking bays or pathways within the same pour. See our edging guide.

Yes. During the free survey Sean will bring pattern and colour samples so you can see them at your property in your lighting conditions. We also have an extensive portfolio of completed projects to browse — on our website and in person.

We are the only company in Liverpool offering a lifetime guarantee on every driveway we install. We use no subcontractors — ever. Our construction specification was written by Sean Smyth BA (Hons), who has over 35 years experience in landscaping and 20 years specialising in imprinted concrete. Over 80% of our work comes through personal recommendation.

Avant Gardens & Driveways was founded and is run by Sean Mark Smyth, who holds a National Diploma and BA (Hons) in Landscape Design and Construction. Sean has over 35 years experience in the landscape industry and more than 20 years specialising in patterned imprinted concrete. Read more on our About page.

The quickest way is to call us free on 0800 458 0139. You can also use our online calculator for an instant ballpark estimate, or complete the contact form and we will call you back. We will arrange a free site survey at a time that suits you — no obligation.

Yes. Avant Gardens & Driveways carries full public liability insurance. Details are available on request — call 0800 458 0139 or email info@avantgardens.biz.

Our office is open Monday to Friday 8am–6pm and Saturday 9am–1pm. You can leave a message or send an email at any time and we will get back to you the next working day.

We cover the whole of Liverpool and Merseyside including West Derby, Aigburth, Childwall, Formby, Crosby, Halewood, Huyton, Kirkby, Maghull, Southport, Ormskirk, St Helens, Widnes, Stoneycroft, Fazakerley, Wavertree, Woolton and all surrounding areas. Not sure if we cover your postcode? Call us free on 0800 458 0139.

Our primary area is Liverpool and Merseyside but we do take on projects in surrounding areas depending on the size and nature of the job. Call us on 0800 458 0139 and we will let you know if we can help with your location.