Paver Driveway Installation in Contra Costa & Alameda County
A paver driveway gives you a surface that carries vehicle loads, resists cracking and can be repaired one paver at a time. Most of the work that decides how it holds up happens before the first paver goes down: excavation depth, base material and compaction, and how water leaves the surface.
Licensed #1118886 · Bonded and insured · English and Spanish
Projects we take on
- Full driveway replacement over old concrete or asphalt
- Driveway widening and extra parking pads
- Aprons, ribbons and entry accents
- Combined driveway, walkway and entry steps
- Permeable paver driveways for lots with runoff limits
Materials and finishes
- • Holland, cobble and large-format rectangular pavers
- • Basalite and other Bay Area paver brands, in a wide range of patterns
- • Tumbled and smooth finishes in gray, charcoal, tan and blended tones
- • Contrasting soldier-course and border options
- • Permeable paver systems where drainage or coverage rules apply
How the work goes
- 01Site review and layoutWe measure the drive, check slope and access, and mark the finished grade before demolition.
- 02Demolition and excavationOld surface is removed and the subgrade is cut deep enough for a driveway-rated base, not a patio base.
- 03Base and compactionClass II aggregate base is placed in lifts and compacted so the section stays tight under vehicle traffic.
- 04Screeding and layingBedding sand is screeded to grade, pavers are laid to the pattern, then cut cleanly at the edges.
- 05Edge restraint and joint sandEdges are locked in, joint sand is swept and vibrated in, and the surface is compacted a final time.
Preparation, drainage and durability
Driveways get a deeper excavation and a thicker compacted base than patios, positive slope away from the garage and house, and edge restraint on every open side. Where water collects, we add a drain line before the base goes in rather than trying to fix it later.
Why hire Golden Hills
- More than 20 years of hands-on experience
- Licensed California contractor #1118886
- Bonded and insured, owner-led crews
- Clear written estimates before work starts
- Organized job sites and full cleanup
- English and Spanish communication
Reputation
Customer feedback
“My wife and I recently hired Golden Hills Landscaping for a fence and retaining wall repair project that ultimately evolved into a complete backyard makeover. We could not be happier with the results. Alonso, the owner, was a pleasure to work with from start to finish. He took our general ideas and turned them into a cohesive, functional outdoor design that beautifully complements our property while staying within our budget. The craftsmanship and attention to detail throughout the project were outstanding. Alonso and his team were consistently prompt and professional. Whenever unexpected issues arose, Alonso was transparent and communicated clearly about the situation, available options, and any associated costs.”
“Had a great experience with Golden Hills Landscape. They installed pavers, irrigation, rocks, and sod in my backyard and did a fantastic job. Super professional, great prep work, and everything was done in a timely manner. Pricing was very fair. The yard looks amazing--would definitely use them again and highly recommend.”
“Viktor listened to my concerns about my cracked driveway and came up with a creative, cost-effective solution that worked perfectly. The team worked tirelessly from morning until night and never skipped a day, staying on schedule and completing the job within the proposed time period. The quality of the work was outstanding--my driveway looks beautiful now, and the entire process was seamless.”
Google reviews above are pulled live from our Google Business Profile and shown unedited. Every quote links to the original review.
Paver Driveways questions we get
- How long does a paver driveway take?
- Most residential driveways run several days from demolition to final compaction, depending on size, access and how much drainage work is included. We give you the schedule with the written estimate.
- Can you install pavers over my existing concrete?
- Sometimes, but we usually recommend removing it. An overlay raises the finished height at the garage and sidewalk and inherits any settling problems in the old slab.
- Will weeds grow between the pavers?
- Polymeric joint sand and a properly compacted base keep joints tight. Occasional seeds land on the surface and pull out easily.
- Do pavers crack like concrete?
- Individual pavers can chip, but the jointed system flexes instead of cracking across the surface, and a damaged paver can be lifted and replaced.
- My driveway is cracked — can you repair it, or does it need replacing?
- It depends. Localized cracks and settled sections can sometimes be repaired; widespread cracking or a slab that has moved usually means the base underneath failed, and replacement lets us fix the real problem.
- Do I need a permit?
- Requirements vary by city. If your project needs a permit or an encroachment permit at the sidewalk, we tell you during the estimate.
- What maintenance is involved?
- Rinse it, top up joint sand every few years, and seal it if you want a deeper color. Nothing complicated.
Related services
Where we work
Ready to Improve Your Outdoor Space?
Whether you’re planning a new driveway, patio, walkway, retaining wall, drainage system or complete outdoor renovation, Golden Hills can help you understand the right next step.