Filling sand or gravel for driveway, carport, and terrace?

Hi everyone!

The time is almost here and the groundwork will begin soon. And new questions are already coming up...

Our construction company has now given us an offer for the additional (driveway, carport, terrace) groundwork (excavating, filling, compacting). These are supposed to be done “only” with fill sand. Now, a friend said that wherever paving is done, there should be gravel underneath. Should our construction company do these areas directly with gravel instead of just fill sand? Or should we put gravel underneath later, before paving?

For your information: 35cm will be filled up and we enter the house at 0cm...

Thanks for your advice!
Best regards

We have split... but I wouldn't do it before you pave. The tiny stones move on their own.

In the shell construction phase, it’s nonsense to really do anything to the exterior areas. In the end, everything is gone or whatever. And if they excavate, they definitely go too deep. It cost us about €2000 too much. Gravel at the bottom is fine; it’s supposed to ensure frost protection. On top of that comes crushed stone, then crushed sand/gravel, and then the stone. So soil replacement can be done, yes, because it gets more expensive later with small equipment. But be careful that they don’t go overboard with the depth. Remember, something will definitely be placed on top of it.