Prices
Published bands are indicative and exist so you can sanity-check any quote you receive, including ours. Every real price follows a site survey, because excavation depth, spoil volume, access and drainage are the four things that actually move the number.
Key facts
- Driveways
- £40–£120 per m² (indicative)
- Tarmac Driveways
- £40–£70 per m² (indicative)
- Block Paving
- £60–£100 per m² (indicative)
- Resin Bound Driveways
- £70–£120 per m² (indicative)
- Commercial Surfacing
- £45–£90 per m² (indicative)
- Groundworks
- priced by scope per m² (indicative)
What does a new driveway cost?
Tarmac runs roughly £40–£70 per square metre installed, block paving £60–£100 and resin bound £70–£120, all including excavation, a compacted sub-base and edge restraint. A typical 50–60m² driveway therefore lands between £3,000 and £9,500 depending on the surface.
Supply and install, including VAT, per square metre.
| Job | Per m² | Small drive · 30–40m² | Medium drive · 50–60m² | Large drive · 75–100m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarmac drivewayExcavation, 150mm Type 1 sub-base, AC20 binder course and AC6 surface course. | £40–£70 | £1,800–£3,500 | £3,000–£5,500 | £5,000–£9,000 |
| Block paving drivewayConcrete blocks at the lower end, clay and permeable systems at the upper. Cutting-heavy layouts add labour. | £60–£100 | £3,000–£5,000 | £4,500–£7,500 | £7,500–£13,000 |
| Resin bound drivewayOver an existing sound base. A new tarmac base underneath is priced on top. | £70–£120 | £3,500–£6,000 | £5,500–£9,500 | £9,000–£16,000 |
| Natural stone patioIndian sandstone through to porcelain. Includes bedding, pointing and falls away from the building. | £80–£140 | £3,500–£6,500 | £6,000–£10,000 | £10,000–£16,000 |
| Gravel drivewayMembrane, sub-base, edge restraint and decorative aggregate. Gravel grids priced separately. | £30–£60 | £1,500–£3,000 | £2,500–£4,500 | £4,000–£7,500 |
| Resurfacing an existing drivewayOnly viable where the existing base is sound. We survey before recommending it. | £35–£90 | — | — | — |
| Driveway repairs (patching, re-edging, pothole)Priced per repair, not per square metre. | £300–£1,200 per job | — | — | — |
| Commercial surfacing / car parksDepends on traffic loading, base condition, drainage and line marking. Larger areas cost less per m². | £45–£90 | — | — | — |
| GroundworksExcavation volume, spoil disposal, ground conditions and access move the figure most. | Priced by scope | — | — | — |
What the price includes
- Excavation to formation and removal of the existing surface
- Compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base — 150mm domestic, 200mm+ for vehicle-heavy use
- Edge restraint or kerbing to stop the surface spreading
- Falls set to existing drainage and full compaction in layers
- Site clearance and a written, itemised quote before work starts
Charged as extras
- Skip hire and muck-away for excavated spoil where volumes are unusually high
- New soakaways, attenuation crates or alterations to existing drainage for SUDS compliance
- Dropped-kerb and highways permit applications — typically £500–£1,500+ via the council
- Retaining walls or significant changes of level
- Unforeseen ground conditions: tree roots, buried concrete, made ground
Prices shown are indicative UK ranges based on published 2025/26 industry cost guides and our own recent work. They are general guidance only and do not constitute a quotation. Actual cost depends on site access, ground conditions, the sub-base depth required, drainage and SUDS requirements, spoil disposal, materials and finish. For a fixed price, request a free site survey and a written quote.
Reference cost guides: Checkatrade cost guides · MyBuilder cost guides · HouseholdQuotes driveway costs · Marshalls driveway cost advice
How much does a driveway cost per square metre?
Indicative bands are £40–£70 for tarmac, £60–£100 for block paving and £70–£120 for resin bound, all per square metre installed including excavation and a 150mm Type 1 sub-base. A survey is required for a firm price.
Why can't you quote over the phone?
Because the four variables that decide the price are all invisible from a phone call: how deep we have to dig, how much spoil leaves site, whether plant can reach the area, and where the water goes. Any firm quoting without seeing those is guessing or leaving room to add later.
What is included in a quote?
Excavation and disposal, sub-base material and compaction, membrane, edge restraint, surfacing to a stated depth, drainage where specified, and making good. Each line is priced separately so you can see what you are paying for and remove anything you do not want.
Why are some quotes so much cheaper?
Usually depth. A 75mm sub-base costs half what a 150mm one does and looks identical on completion. Ask any contractor to state sub-base depth, binder depth and surface depth in writing — the cheap quote almost always gets thinner when it has to be specific.
Frequently asked
Do prices include VAT?
Quotes state clearly whether VAT applies. Our VAT registration number is available on request.
Do you offer finance?
We agree staged payments against the programme rather than offering credit. We are not a credit broker and do not arrange finance.
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