If you design and build gravel driveways to a high specification then they can function well as a permanent driveway solution and are much cheaper and easily to install than pavers.   You will need some specialist equipment to help you carry out this job and this can be rented for most good construction rental outlets so make sure you source the equipment first and include the costs in your quote price.

Getting Started
You will need to clear back the area for the gravel driveway, and this may mean cutting down and removing trees and vegetation or digging out existing driveway surfaces. Make sure you clear the area thoroughly as this will help you judge whether or not the soil underneath is well drained and firm enough to support a gravel driveway.  If you do have to take out any trees or shrubs make sure the roots are dug out and the plant is fully removed, as it could start growing back under the new driveway which will cause future problems.  Once you have cleared away the top soil it is a good idea to install a geotextile fabric over the subsoil before you start installing any gravel, as this is a cheap and effective way to will prevent silt from pushing up and fouling the gravel

Layering the Gravel
The first layer of gravel needs to be a larger size, so look out for gravel stones around the size of your fist, and make sure they are not rounded shapes as these slide around too easily when pressure is applied to them.  Irregular shapes lock together under pressure and create a much more solid foundation for the top layer.

Once you have compacted this layer using a tamping machine or a mechanical roller add the next layer of slightly smaller crushed gravel around 4 inches thick and compact down, and then repeat several more times gradually decreasing the size of the gravel.  The final layer should have stones around the size of marbles and no bigger than golf balls, and the total depth of the driveway should be at least 10 -12 inches of gravel once fully compacted down.

Don’t forget to shape the driveway so that is has slight crown in the center as this will help the water to flow to the edges where it can drain away and will prevent water from collecting on the driveway and causing erosion.