Paving the Way is the official podcast from RF Paving - built for homeowners and trade professionals who care about getting outdoor projects done properly.
Hosted by Amy Andrews and Andy McLaughlin, the show breaks down paving, outdoor construction and home renovation in a way that’s clear, practical and honest.
You’ll hear expert insight, real project experience and open conversations with guests across the industry.
Whether you’re a homeowner planning your next project or a professional looking to sharpen your knowledge, this podcast is designed to help you make better decisions.
Episode 32 | Designing Gardens That Work For Real Life with Lee from Bestall & Co Landscape Design
What makes a great garden? Is it the materials, the design, or how well it works for the people living in it?
In Part 1 of our conversation with award-winning garden designer Lee Bestall, Amy and Andy explore what really goes into creating outdoor spaces that look good, feel right and stand the test of time.
From being told gardening wasn't a proper career to building a successful garden design business, Lee shares his journey into the industry, the challenges he's faced and the lessons he's learnt along the way.
We discuss why good garden design starts with understanding how people live, the problem with following trends, and why homeowners shouldn't be afraid to question the professionals they're working with.
We also get into the importance of honesty, communication and trust, and why raising standards across the landscaping industry matters for everyone.
Whether you're a homeowner planning your garden or a professional working in landscaping and design, there's plenty to take away from this conversation.
This is Part 1 of our conversation with Lee. Part 2 is coming next week, so make sure you're following Paving the Way so you don't miss it.
2 Oct 2026
Why Cutting Corners on Paving Can Cost You Twice
Trying to keep a project within budget is completely normal. But there’s a big difference between adjusting your plans and cutting corners.
In this episode of Paving the Way, Amy and Andy look at what can happen when costs are cut in the wrong places — from questionable materials and unreliable suppliers to poor installation techniques and workmanship that simply isn’t up to the job.
They discuss why practices such as spot bedding and inadequate priming can cause problems, why the right technique matters just as much as the materials you choose, and how poor workmanship can result in entire areas having to be ripped out and started again.
They also share a real example of a tiling project where expectations and ability didn’t match, resulting in completed bathrooms having to be replaced.
The key message? If the budget or timescale isn’t working, adjust the project rather than the standard of the work.
Whether you’re a homeowner planning a renovation or a professional carrying out the work, this episode will help you understand where compromises can be made — and where cutting corners can end up costing far more.
Subscribe to Paving the Way for more practical conversations on paving, landscaping, renovation and raising standards across the industry.
25 Sept 2026
How Supply Chains Affect Material Prices
Why can the cost of a landscaping project look completely different six months after you first started planning it?
It isn’t always as simple as a business putting its prices up.
In Episode 30 of Paving the Way, Amy and Andy get into some of the less visible costs behind paving, landscaping and construction – and how everything from shipping rates and fuel prices to haulage and wider world events can eventually affect the price a customer sees.
They look at the journey imported materials take before they ever reach a garden, why heavy products such as paving are particularly affected by shipping costs, and what happens when the price of moving a container changes dramatically in a relatively short period of time.
There’s also the wider picture.
Fuel affects deliveries. Machinery costs money to run. Vehicles, insurance and day-to-day business costs change. And when those increases work their way through the supply chain, landscapers and other professionals may have little choice but to adjust what they charge.
Amy and Andy also discuss the difficult decisions businesses have to make when prices are moving quickly – including whether to hold stock, when increases can realistically be absorbed and why being open with customers about what has changed is so important.
And because the conversation gets slightly heavy, there are also pirates, some questionable jokes for five-year-olds and a brief attempt to work out what happens when you cross a brown chicken with a brown cow.
In this episode:
• Why shipping has such a big impact on paving prices
• How imported materials move through the supply chain
• Why heavy products are particularly affected by freight costs
• How fuel, haulage and other business costs affect a landscaping quote
• Why a quote from six months ago might not reflect today’s costs
• The challenge businesses face when prices rise and fall quickly
• Why communication with customers matters when costs change
• How wider world events can eventually affect a garden project
If you enjoy Paving the Way, follow or subscribe wherever you listen, and share the episode with someone planning a landscaping or home improvement project.
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