Know where your boundary is
It is common for the grass between pavement and front garden, or the footpath outside a house, to belong to the council or a housing association rather than the homeowner. Surfacing land that is not yours can create problems later, including on sale.
Before quoting we would ask to see the property boundary, and if a verge or path needs crossing we would point you towards the right permission rather than simply laying over it.
Open-plan estates and covenants
Some estates carry restrictions in the title deeds about front gardens, walls or parking. These are separate from planning rules. It is worth checking your deeds before committing, particularly if you are thinking of enclosing the front.
Choosing a finish that sits with the street
Stevenage's housing mixes buff and red brick, render and tile hanging. Warmer resin blends often sit naturally against buff brick, while cooler silver and charcoal tones suit render and darker brick. Tarmac with a contrasting border can look crisp where several neighbouring drives are already tarmac.
Bringing samples to the actual house, in daylight, beats choosing from a screen.