New Driveway Cost

How Much Does a New Driveway Cost in the UK?

What should you budget for the cost of a driveway in 2024?

You can expect to pay between £1,000 – £12,000 for a driveway installation. This cost includes materials and labour prices.

The cost of a new driveway installation will vary depending on the type of driveway material you want to use, the size and shape of your driveway, and its current condition.

Which is the most popular type of driveway installation?

Block paving driveways are a popular choice in the UK, as they're durable, provide good drainage, and look great! However, the cost of block paving driveways is higher than other types of driveways.

What if you're keeping to a strict budget?

Tarmac and gravel are the cheapest and most affordable types of driveway and cost between £1,000 – £7,000 in 2024.

Let's narrow down what driveways cost a bit more in the next section.

If you're looking to get a more accurate price for your new driveway, we can help connect you with local driveway specialists.

New Driveway Prices

So, how much do driveways cost in 2024?

The table below highlights what the average cost for different types and sizes of driveway are in the UK.

These are the total driveway costs, which include materials and labour prices.

What are the Supply Costs for a Driveway?

If you would prefer to install your driveway yourself, then you will need to consider the following supply costs for different types of driveway.

Types of Driveway Cost

Choosing a driveway material can be a hard decision to make, so to help you decide, here is a breakdown of the different types of driveway along with their costs.

Gravel Driveway Cost

A gravel driveway is made up of loose aggregate including rocks, stones, clay and sand.

Gravel driveways cost around £1,050 – £7,100, making them one of the most affordable types of materials you can use for a driveway. They have a lifespan of up to 100 years if it is looked after properly, too.

The main issue with a gravel driveway is that it will need to be maintained regularly, as gravel can be displaced easily so replacement will be required. You may also have to pay for pothole repairs, as gravel driveways tend to soak up a lot of water.

Pros:

• Affordable – it is the cheapest of the available options.
• Can have a long life span of 100 years if correctly maintained.
• It comes in a variety of aggregates and colours to suit everyone.

Cons:

• It must be regularly maintained.
• Gravel is easily displaced so you will have to replace some gravel.
• You may have to pay for pothole repairs.

Tarmac Driveway Cost

A tarmac driveway is made up of tarmacadam which is a mixture of aggregate or crushed stone and tar.

The typical tarmac driveway cost is around £1,350 – £7,300, depending on the size of the driveway. This makes tarmac driveways one of the most affordable driveway options, and they can be installed in just one day. The speedy installation is due to the fact that tarmac driveways can be installed over existing driveways.

A downside of a tarmac driveway is that it does not last as long as other driveway options such as concrete, so it may need replacing after 20 years or so. There are also limited design options, so it may not be the best option if you are looking for a unique driveway design.

Pros:

• Affordable – it is one of the cheapest of the available options.
• It has quick installation times.
• It can be installed over existing driveways.

Cons:

• It does not last as long as other options.
• Limited design options.

Concrete Driveway Cost

A concrete slab driveway is one of the most durable and long-lasting options which has a lifespan of around 50 years or more. Concrete is also extremely robust, so it can handle the weight of heavy vehicles without the worry of damage.

The average concrete driveway cost tends to range from £2,700 – £11,800. This might seem expensive, but they do offer great value for money.

You will also need to consider the maintenance in your overall imprinted concrete driveway cost, as this type of driveway requires annual maintenance — including sealing. It is also not the most aesthetically pleasing material, so if you are looking to enhance the look of your exterior, it might not be the best choice.

Pros:

• Robust and durable.
• Long life span of around 50 years.
• It can handle extreme weights being parked on it.

Cons:

• It can be expensive.
• It requires annual maintenance.
• Not always the most aesthetically pleasing.

Resin Driveway Cost

There are two types of resin driveway: resin-bound and resin-bonded.

Resin-bound driveways are made up of aggregate that's mixed with resin, while resin-bonded involves adding the aggregate on top of the resin on your driveway.

The average resin-bound driveway cost is around £1,230 – £7,800, making it one of the most affordable options. It's also quick and easy to install.

If you have any heavy commercial vehicles, you will need to avoid parking on a resin driveway — as it cannot withstand significant amounts of weight.

A resin-bonded driveway also requires a significant amount of maintenance, so you may need to consider that in your overall resin bonded driveway cost.

Pros:

• An affordable option.
• Quick and easy to install.
• It looks aesthetically pleasing.

Cons:

• It cannot withstand heavy commercial vehicles being parked on it.
• It requires a significant amount of maintenance.

Block Paving Driveway Cost

Block paving is a type of driveway made up of decorative bricks. One of the biggest benefits of choosing block paving is that it offers an array of designs which can help your driveway stand out.

The typical block paving driveway cost is around £1,200 – £12,200. This puts it at the top-end of the driveway price range — although it may work out worthwhile in the long run, as repairs are generally low cost.

The driveway paving cost can be considerably more expensive if you choose specialist blocks, which many prefer considering budget blocks tend to fade over time. It is also susceptible to weed and moss growth, so it will need to be maintained regularly.

Pros:

• Aesthetically pleasing.
• Any repairs are usually low cost.

Cons:

• It is one of the more expensive options.
• It takes longer to lay than other options.
• It’s susceptible to weed and moss growth and therefore requires regular maintenance.

Dropped Kerb Cost

Another important element you need to consider in your new driveway cost budget is kerb dropping. This involves lowering the kerb to allow a vehicle to park on the driveway in a safe and easy manner.

If your home is located on a main road, then you will have to apply for planning permission with your local council before this can be done.

The average cost of dropping a kerb is around £800 – £1,200, although the final cost will depend on how many kerbs need to be dropped along with the depth it needs to be lowered to.

What Additional Driveway Costs Are There?

There are various other costs you need to consider when having a driveway installed.

Let's take a look at these now.

Weed Membrane Cost

To prevent wood growth on your driveway, you will need to have a weed membrane installed. This normally costs around £30 – £50 per roll, and it is definitely worthwhile to prolong the lifespan of your driveway.

Driveway Gate Cost

To finish off your driveway and enhance the privacy of your home, you may want to consider installing a driveway gate.

Driveway gates cost around £350 – £1,000 for a wooden gate, £150 – £400 for a metal gate, while the cost of an electric gate is normally around £7,000 – £9,000.

Extensive Groundwork Cost

Before installing a new driveway, it is important that the ground is prepared first to ensure that the driveway installation will be long-lasting. This tends to cost around £15 – £20 per square metre, which will involve excavating any soil and levelling out the ground.

Removal of Existing Driveway Cost

One of the biggest jobs involved in driveway installation is the removal of the existing driveway.

Driveway removals cost around £500 – £1,500, although this will vary depending on the material you choose and how big the driveway is. This will involve ripping up the floor material and removing it using a skip hire service, which may cost around £200 – £250.

Security Lighting Cost

Another way to enhance the security near your driveway is by installing high-quality security lighting to protect your property and family.

The cost to install security lighting ranges from £100 – £150 for a 30-watt security light, while motion-sensored lighting costs around £150 – £200.

Labour Cost for a Driveway Installation

One of the most important elements you need to consider is how much labour will contribute to the cost of a driveway installation.

Labour costs will vary depending on whether the tradesperson is self-employed or works for a business, your location in the UK, as well as the type of driveway they need to install.

Driveway installers tend to base their quote around an estimated cost of £150 – £200 per day. However, this varies depending on your location and the size of the company you choose.

Remember: When choosing between driveway installers, the driveway cost you're quoted isn't the only factor to consider. The quality of their work, how many years of experience they have, and their reputation matter just as much.

What Is the Cost of Driveway Maintenance?

To ensure your driveway installation is worthwhile and long-lasting, you need to consider the following driveway maintenance costs.

Cost of Tarmac Driveway Maintenance

To prevent your tarmac driveway from damage, you should consider applying a sealant. You can hire a professional to seal your driveway which will cost around £8 – £13 per m².

Cost of Concrete Driveway Maintenance

Concrete driveways are quite low maintenance as they do not need to be resealed as often as other options.

If you do want to reseal your concrete driveway, this is usually the same price as tarmac driveway sealing. You can also consider sealing it yourself by purchasing sealant for around £3 – £6 per litre.

Cost of Block Paving Driveway Maintenance

Block paving can last around 10 years or more, if looked after properly.

One way to do this is by applying sealant to the driveway surface to protect it from oil stains or other types of damage. The average cost of block paving sealant is around £5 – £7 per m².

Cost of Gravel Driveway Maintenance

Gravel driveways are made up of loose rocks or stones which can easily be displaced if the driveway is not looked after.

To maintain it, you should try to clear it regularly with a high-quality rake, which will cost around £40 – £70.

Cost of Resin Driveway Maintenance

Resin driveways already contain a sealant and can, therefore, be more permeable than other driveways.

However, in the winter, you should maintain your resin driveway by applying de-icing salt, which will prevent ice and snow from sticking to the driveway. This normally costs around £0.70 – £1 per kg.

Driveway Repair Cost

After a while, your driveway may have scuffs or small holes on the surface, which may make you want to pay out for a replacement driveway. However, you might just need some small repairs.

Here is a guide for different types of driveways and the cost of repairs.

Cost of Tarmac Driveway Repairs

If you have had your tarmac driveway for a long time, it may have dents or scuffs which cannot be repaired.

In this case, you may want to need to consider resurfacing it. This just means installing another layer of tarmac on top of your old driveway. The cost of tarmac resurfacing is usually around £40 per m².

Cost of Concrete Driveway Repairs

Concrete is one of the most durable driveway materials — but after a while, it may be susceptible to cracking.

To fix cracks or holes that are less than ¼ inch wide, you can fill the cracks yourself with a concrete crack filler which costs around £8 – £16.

Cost of Block Paving Driveway Repairs

If you notice that any of the bricks in your block paving are loose, then this may be caused by failed or empty joints that need to be re-pointed.

This will involve removing the old mortar with a knife if there is any there, followed by cleaning the area and replacing it with new mortar. This can be done on a DIY basis; all you need is a sharp tool and some paving mortar, which costs around £20 – £30 per tub.

Cost of Gravel Driveway Repairs

Over time, potholes can start to form in gravel driveways which are not only unsightly but also inconvenient and can cause damage to car tyres.

To repair potholes on a gravel driveway, you should first remove any debris from the area to ensure it's level before filling in the hole with new gravel which will need to be compressed.

This can be quite a labour-intensive job, so you may want to hire a professional to repair your potholes, who will charge around £150 – £200 per day.

Cost of Resin Driveway Repairs

If you have any small areas of damage on your resin driveway, then this can be chiselled out and repaired.

While this is only a small job, it can be quite complicated, as it is important the same resin is used. The edges of the damaged area need to be feathered to ensure a smooth finish, too.

To hire a professional for this job, you should expect to pay around £150 for a resin driveway repair.

How Long Does It Take to Install a Driveway?

The overall cost of installing a driveway will depend on the time spent on the job, which is usually determined by the size of the driveway and the material used.

To help you understand the time frame, take a look at the below table which sets out the durations of different driveway installations.

What Does It Cost To Get a Driveway Removed?

If you want to replace your driveway, then the existing driveway will need to be removed.

Driveway removal costs are normally priced at between £400 – £700 for a tarmac driveway and about £150 – £450 for a resin driveway.

The cost of driveway removal for other materials like gravel tends to be priced at around £150 – £250, while removing a concrete driveway will range from about £500 – £1,500 and removing block paving could cost up to £600.

FAQs

Q: What is the cheapest driveway surface?

A: The cheapest driveway surfaces include tarmac and gravel with starting prices from £1,050. However, out of the two, gravel is the most affordable, as a large 90m² driveway only costs up to £7,100, while a tarmac driveway exceeds this with £7,300 for the same size driveway.

Q: How much value does a driveway add to a house?

A: Installing a driveway can add between 5% - 10% onto the value of a property, so you may want to consider adding or replacing your driveway to improve your home’s selling prospects.

Q: How deep do you have to dig for a driveway?

A: For a typical domestic driveway, you should expect professional driveway installers to dig a depth between 200 to 250mm below the paving level.

Q: How often do you need to clean your driveway?

A: The amount of driveway maintenance required will depend on the type of driveway you have; however, you should try to clean your driveway as often as possible.

This involves removing leaves, debris, dirt and more, as this will prevent staining and any other damage while also prolonging the lifespan of your driveway.

Q: When should a driveway be sealed?

A: You should avoid sealing your driveway until at least 6 – 12 months after it has been installed.

The reason for this is that you need to give the driveway materials a chance to settle in. After a year is up, you should try to reseal your driveway every two years to ensure it is protected from damage.

Sources

1. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/7728/pavingfrontgardens.pdf
2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/paving-your-front-garden/planning-permission
3. https://materialsmarket.com/articles/how-to-clean-block-paving/
4. https://londonlovesproperty.com/how-to-maintain-a-tarmac-driveway/
5. https://www.paving.org/index.php/block-paving-cleaning-prices/
6. https://limitlesspavingandconcrete.com/asphalt-vs-concrete-guide/
7. https://jetwashseal.co.uk/dont-damage-your-tarmac-when-cleaning-your-driveway/
8. https://www.resininstall.co.uk/resin-driveways/how-to-clean-a-resin-bound-surface.html
9. https://www.southwayconstruction.co.uk/tarmac-v-block-paving-driveway-which-is-best/
10. https://www.pavingexpert.com/tarmac02
11. https://materialsmarket.com/articles/how-to-clean-block-paving/

Author: Heather B

I am a seasoned copywriter from Liverpool - who after graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in English Media and Cultural Studies - went on to specialise in the creation of business and lifestyle copy for a wide range of industries across the UK and USA.