New Driveway Price List
Per Square Metre Prices for New Driveways
A new driveway can significantly improve the appearance of any home, increase its value and provide more space for vehicles.
Our price list below displays per square metre prices so you can easily and quickly calculate how much a new driveway will cost you.
We’ve displayed driveway prices for the most popular surfaces, including:
We also explain how much drainage (a legal requirement since 2005) will cost you should your existing driveway not have a suitable provision in place.
Gravel Driveway Cost
Gravel is the ultimate low-cost driveway surface, it’s far more eco-friendly than any other type of driveway and is quick to install too.
Drainage isn’t an issue with most gravel driveways as the base can be porous, allowing water to pass through and soak away naturally.
There are dozens of different types and colours of stones to choose from, with grey slate chips one of the most popular.
Professional driveway installers usually construct a narrow threshold at the entrance as this will prevent the stones from drifting onto the road.

Pros
- Affordable.
- No drainage is required in most cases.
- Eco-friendly.
- Improves security as footsteps create noise.
- Dozens of colours to choose from.
- Gravel driveways are flexible, so they’re perfect for driveways over large tree roots that would crack other materials such as tarmac or concrete.
Cons
- Dirt, leaves, twigs and seeds etc., aren’t easy to remove from a gravel driveway.
- Weeds are more likely to grow.
- Difficult to clean.
- There will always be some gravel shift.
- The vast majority of consumers prefer a smooth driveway surface for aesthetic reasons.
- Requires edgings to keep the stones from shifting into flowerbeds and neighbouring properties.
Price Per Square Metre for Gravel Driveways
The prices below include the following:
- Excavation and disposal of the existing driveway/surface.
- Installation of weed proof barrier, a compacted permeable hardcore base to 200mm, and driveway gravel.
- VAT.
1-50 sq mtrs
Standard Driveway Gravel
Black Gravel
51 - 100 sq mtrs
Standard Driveway Gravel
Black Gravel
101+ sq mtrs
Standard Driveway Gravel
Black Gravel
Tarmac Driveway Cost
Tarmac was the number one choice for decades, its smooth finish was seen as desirable, and for several years, red tarmac was popular as well.
Fewer consumers choose tarmac now as there’s so much choice and resin is seen by many as a preferable alternative.
Choose tarmac if you want a low maintenance, simple driveway surface that rarely suffers from weeds and dirt build-up and is easy to clean.
Tarmac is, however, one of the least environmentally friendly options as it’s produced from a mixture of oil by-products and gravel.

Pros
- A mid-priced option. More expensive than gravel but cheaper than blocks.
- Smooth surface.
- Very little maintenance is required, and it’s easy to clean.
- It can be overlaid with an extra layer later to rejuvenate the appearance at minimal cost.
- A time-tested option, tarmac driveways have existed for decades.
Cons
- Requires a drainage solution, so the new driveway adheres to regulations.
- Not very flexible, so tree roots and other sources of movement may crack the material.
- Not environmentally friendly.
- Often seen as an old fashioned driveway surface.
- Requires edgings to secure the edge in place. This can add to the cost of a new-build or extended driveway that doesn’t have existing edgings.
Price Per Square Metre for Tarmac Driveways
The prices below include the following:
- Excavation and disposal of the existing driveway/surface.
- Installation of weed proof barrier, a compacted hardcore base to 150mm depth, and driveway tarmac laid in two layers totalling 75mm.Â
- VAT.
1-50 sq mtrs
Standard Driveway Tarmac
Drainage Solution Connecting to Existing Soakaway
Drainage Solution and New Soakaway
51 - 100 sq mtrs
Standard Driveway Tarmac
Drainage Solution Connecting to Existing Soakaway
Drainage Solution and New Soakaway
101+ sq mtrs
Standard Driveway Tarmac
Drainage Solution Connecting to Existing Soakaway
Drainage Solution and New Soakaway
Resin Driveway Cost
Resin is a very modern material made from aggregate mixed with a translucent resin – a glue-like substance that bonds the stones together.
There are many benefits of resin, and one of them is aesthetics. Resin drives look like very flat, neat gravel driveways, but the material is solid, never shifts, is flexible and hard-wearing.
Resin shouldn’t discolour as quickly as tarmac and is more appealing to the eye; there are also many colours to choose from.

Pros
- Hundreds of aggregates to choose from and almost unlimited colour choices.
- Smooth surface.
- Very little maintenance is required, and it’s easy to clean.
- It can be overlaid with an extra layer later to rejuvenate the appearance at minimal cost.
- A popular alternative to tarmac.
- Long lasting.
Cons
- May require a drainage solution, depending on the sub-base.
- One of the least environmentally friendly options as the glue lasts hundreds of years before breaking down.
- Large, heavy vehicles such as vans may scuff the surface.
- Not the cheapest material and requires three layers (sub-base, binder course and top layer) so more skilled labour is required for the project.
- Requires edgings to secure the edges in place and prevent crumbling. This can add to the cost of a new-build or extended driveway that doesn’t have existing edgings.
Price Per Square Metre for Resin-Bound Driveways
The prices below include the following:
- Excavation and disposal of the existing driveway/surface.
- Installation of weed proof barrier.
- Compacted hardcore base laid to 150mm depth.
- 70mm bonding layer.
- 20mm resin finish.
- VAT.
1-50 sq mtrs
Standard Driveway Tarmac
Drainage Solution Connecting to Existing Soakaway
Drainage Solution and New Soakaway
51 - 100 sq mtrs
Standard Driveway Tarmac
Drainage Solution Connecting to Existing Soakaway
Drainage Solution and New Soakaway
101+ sq mtrs
Standard Driveway Tarmac
Drainage Solution Connecting to Existing Soakaway
Drainage Solution and New Soakaway
Block Paving Driveway Cost
Block paving is the most popular driveway material, and for a good reason; it’s practical, can be repaired easily, there are lots of choices, it flexes and is less likely to crack from tree root growth.
Blocks also look appealing, can be cleaned with a pressure washer, and sealed and recoloured in the future.
You can even select permeable bricks that allow water to pass through them into the ground; these are perfect for homes where traditional soakaway drainage is problematic.

Pros
- Hundreds of blocks and cobbles to choose from.
- Create patterns and edges with different bricks for a truly unique finish.
- Permeable or non-permeable.
- Easy to clean and maintain with a pressure washer.
- Flexes.
- There’s no curing process so unlike tarmac, resin and concrete, the driveway can be used immediately.
Cons
- It takes the longest amount of time to install as each brick must be laid individually, and at corners and edges, each brick must be cut to fit the space.
- Budget range bricks look bland.
- Drainage must be considered if you choose the cheaper non-permeable bricks.
- The cost; bricks cost the most per square metre to buy and take the longest to install.
- Requires edgings to secure the edge bricks in place. This can add to the cost of a new-build or extended driveway that doesn’t have existing edgings.
Price Per Square Metre for Block Paved Driveways
The prices below include the following:
- Excavation and disposal of the existing driveway/surface.
- Installation of weed proof barrier.
- Compacted hardcore base laid to 150mm depth.
- Bedding layer of sand.
- Blocks laid.
- Infill sand swept into joints.
- VAT.
1-50 sq mtrs
Standard Budget Blocks
Mid-Range Blocks
Permeable Blocks and Permeable Sub-Base
Drainage Solution Connecting to Existing Soakaway
Drainage Solution and New Soakaway
51 - 100 sq mtrs
Standard Budget Blocks
Mid-Range Blocks
Permeable Blocks and Permeable Sub-Base
Drainage Solution Connecting to Existing Soakaway
Drainage Solution and New Soakaway
101+ sq mtrs
Standard Budget Blocks
Mid-Range Blocks
Permeable Blocks and Permeable Sub-Base
Drainage Solution Connecting to Existing Soakaway
Drainage Solution and New Soakaway
Concrete Driveway Cost
Concrete driveways of yesteryear were bland, dull slabs of colourless sand and cement and are a million miles away from the pattern imprinted concrete of recent times.
PIC driveways are constructed with a deep base of around 150mm and between 125mm and 150mm of concrete on top, which is coloured and stamped with a pattern of the customer’s choice.
These concrete driveways can be stamped so they look like patios, bricks or even circles.
Concrete lasts for decades, and these driveways are ultra low-maintenance and easy to clean.

Pros
- 100% weed proof – nothing will grow through a solid slab of concrete.
- Unique patterns and a wide choice of colours.
- Easy to clean with a pressure washer or even a hose.
- Can be re-sealed with a new coating at any time.
- A popular alternative to paving and can hold much more weight.
- Doesn’t require edgings as temporary shuttering can be used until the concrete has set.
Cons
- The colour can fade and show signs of wear after a short time.
- Slippery when wet.
- Impossible to patch repair without leaving an obvious gap.
- No flex whatsoever and more likely to crack than most other surface types.
- Not permeable, so a drainage solution will be required.
- Not environmentally friendly.
Price Per Square Metre for Patterned Concrete Driveways
The prices below include the following:
- Excavation and disposal of the existing driveway/surface.
- Installation of weed proof barrier.
- Compacted hardcore base laid to 125+mm depth.
- Concrete laid to 150mm, coloured and stamped with desired pattern
- Cut expansion gaps.
- VAT.
1-50 sq mtrs
Pattern Concrete
Drainage Solution Connecting to Existing Soakaway
Drainage Solution and New Soakaway
51 - 100 sq mtrs
Pattern Concrete
Drainage Solution Connecting to Existing Soakaway
Drainage Solution and New Soakaway
101+ sq mtrs
Pattern Concrete
Drainage Solution Connecting to Existing Soakaway
Drainage Solution and New Soakaway
DIY Driveway Prices Per Square Metre
Constructing a driveway is no easy feat, especially if the materials cure quickly. Tarmac, concrete or resin will set within a few hours, often sooner, so skill and experience are generally required, but if you’re considering the DIY route, here’s an overview of how much the various materials cost per square metre:
Per Square Metre Price Delivered and Including VAT
Hardcore Sub-Base MOT Type 1 to 150mm Depth
Weedproof Membrane
Blocks (Cheapest)
Blocks (Mid Price)
Bedding Sand For Blocks
Gravel 40-50mm (Cheapest)
Gravel 40-50mm (Mid Price)
Concrete 125-150mm
Tarmac 75mm (Binder & Top Layer)
Resin & Aggregate 18-24mm Depth
Waste Disposal (Mixed Construction Waste)
Drainage Channels Only
Soakaway Crates and Pipes For up to 75 sq mtr Driveway
Notes
The installation prices on this page exclude the cost of edgings as we assume they are already in place. Also excluded is the cost to infill large holes or vast uneven areas as it’s impossible to calculate how much soil or other materials will be needed.
The prices on this page are based on:
- Prices from driveway installers we contacted in 2021.
- Published price lists from installers.
- Published price lists from suppliers.
- Our experience.
Obviously, every project is different, and the prices you receive will be customised to your requirements and could be different from the prices displayed here. Your location, the installer you choose and your driveway are all factors that will determine the project’s cost.
Explore More of our Guides Below:
PRICE LIST
Our price list here at DIY Gardening. Get a price for a new lawn, patio, decking and much more. Our prices are always kept up to date. Start Here
Landscaping Costs
Landscape gardening prices can be estimated on a per square metre basis. See how much it costs to completely renovate a garden per square metre with our insightful guide. Start Here
Artificial Grass
Gone are the days when artificial grass looked fake and unrealistic, modern products are a viable alternative to turf and seeded lawns. Explore our artificial lawn price guide. Start Here