DIY? Pros and Cons of not calling the pros

While a large-scale job, such as a driveway, is best left to a professional, it is certainly possible to tackle something smaller - like a garden path - on your own. If you're interested in do-it-yourself (DIY), and have some experience and skill in home improvement, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding project. In addition to the money you will save, you will also enjoy an intense physical workout! Be sure to research the project thoroughly before you begin.

If you do choose this option, please keep in mind your safety and that of your household. The most risky stage is the initial digging, when you could come across electrical cables. In the UK, these are usually black cables covered in some sort of armour, but they can also come inside steel or red plastic ducting. They are very dangerous. If you accidentally expose cables, contact your electrical supplier immediately, and keep children and pets well away from the site. Gas (usually yellow) and water pipes (usually blue) can also be found when digging. Although you are unlikely to break these pipes with ordinary digging tools, your supplier should be contacted immediately if you expose them. The colour-coding we have mentioned here is intended as a guideline only, as services in older homes may be coloured differently. Please use common sense and notify the relevant utility company if you expose any cabling or pipes while working.

Hiring a Paving & Driveway Contractor

How do I choose one?

There are two ways to do this:

• The immediate approach

As with all home improvement professionals, your local Yellow Pages will offer a wide selection of paving and driving contractors, usually under 'Paving' or 'Landscaping'. Also, many now have web pages where you can look at photographs of their work. In both cases, always look for membership in a recognised trade body, such as the Guild of Master Craftsmen (GMC), or the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Still, this is a rather blind approach, and a disadvantage is that you will have to take the contractor at his/her word, unless you…

• Weed out the cowboys, or how to spot a dishonest contractor

It's every homeowner's nightmare: Hiring a contractor that seemed capable on first impression, only to have him/her make a mess of your beautiful home through lack of skill! Luckily, your best protection against this disappointment is good old-fashioned word-of-mouth. Ask friends, family or neighbours for recommendations (or warnings!) regarding local contractors. Ask them if the work was completed in schedule and within budget. Also, you can ask the prospective contractor for a portfolio of references and photos of their work. Any good contractor will be happy to show you these. If they're not, you should probably look elsewhere. A list of costumer's addresses would also be helpful, as you could personally see the work and maybe even speak to the customer.