Driveway Cost Calculator UK (Block Paving, Tarmac, Gravel)
Calculate UK driveway installation cost by material and area. Compare block paving, tarmac, resin-bound, gravel, and concrete with 2024 prices.
UK Driveway Cost Guide 2024
Material Options and Costs
Typical UK driveway costs per m² (supply + install, 2024): gravel: £40-70/m². Cheapest, quick, permeable, DIY-friendly. Needs occasional topping up and edging. Tarmac/asphalt: £50-80/m². Quick to lay, durable, good for larger areas. Can soften in extreme heat. Concrete (plain): £60-100/m². Durable, low maintenance, can crack over time. Pattern-imprinted concrete: £90-140/m². Decorative (mimics stone/brick), sealed surface. Can become slippery, resealing needed. Block paving: £80-150/m². Popular,
Groundwork — The Hidden Cost
What's beneath the surface matters as much as the surface itself. A driveway is only as good as its base. Groundwork includes: excavation (digging out to required depth — 150-250mm typically). Disposal of spoil (skip hire, often £200-400+). Sub-base (compacted MOT Type 1 hardcore — the structural foundation). Edging/kerbs (containing the surface). Membrane (geotextile to separate layers). Why it varies: good existing base (e.g. solid old concrete): minimal prep, lower cost. Standard ground: full
Planning Permission and Drainage
Important UK rule: since 2008, you need planning permission to lay a NON-permeable driveway over 5m² that drains onto the road, UNLESS you provide drainage. Permeable surfaces (no planning needed): gravel, permeable block paving, resin-bound (permeable types), porous asphalt. Water soaks through naturally. Non-permeable surfaces (planning needed OR drainage required): standard concrete, standard tarmac, standard block paving. You must direct water to a permeable area (lawn, border) or a soakaway
Choosing and Maintaining
Choosing a material: budget priority: gravel or tarmac. Appearance priority: block paving, resin, or natural stone. Low maintenance: resin-bound or concrete. Permeability/no planning: gravel, permeable block paving, resin. Repairability: block paving (lift individual blocks). DIY potential: gravel (achievable); others usually need professionals. Lifespan: gravel: indefinite with topping up. Tarmac: 15-20 years. Concrete: 30-40 years. Block paving: 20-30 years (relayable). Resin-bound: 15-25 year
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