How Much Does A Driveway Cost?

How much does a New Driveway Cost?

Are you looking to have a new driveway installed and want to know rough prices per square metre? We have put together a comprehensive guide for driveway costings, including gravel, resin driveways, concrete, tarmac driveways and block paving driveways.

So, how much should you expect to pay for a driveway?

The unhelpful answer is that the cost of installing a new driveway varies greatly depending on the kind of driveway, the size of the driveway and its present condition. Block paving driveways are becoming increasingly popular due to their distinctive appearance. However, depending on the size of your driveway, you are likely to pay between £2100 and £9000. The cheapest driveways are tarmac and gravel, which start at approximately £1200.

However, we know that you want to see actual prices so, below we have broken down the prices for different sizes of driveways and the material used to give you a better idea on how much it will actually cost you. If you are only interested in reading about specific types of driveways or materials, use the table of contents below to skip to the relevant section of this guide.

Costs for Different Types of Driveways

Choosing a driveway material may well be difficult, so here’s a summary of the many types of driveways and their prices to help you decide which material is right for you and fits inline with your budget.

Gravel Driveway Costs

The loose aggregate in a gravel driveway includes pebbles, stones, clay, and sand. This is one of the most cost-effective driveways, with prices ranging from £1200 to £7200. Gravel driveways have a lifespan of up to 100 years if properly maintained.

The key drawbacks of a gravel driveway is that it will need to be maintained on a regular basis, since gravel can easily be disturbed and shift. Because gravel driveways absorb a lot of water, you may also have to pay for pothole repairs.

Tarmac Driveway Costs

Tarmacadam, a combination of aggregate or crushed stone and tar, is used to construct a tarmac driveway. Tarmac driveways typically cost between £1200 and £5500, depending on the size of the driveway, making it one of the most cost-effective driveway solutions that can be installed in just one day. Tarmac roads may be built over existing driveways, allowing for a quick install.

A tarmac driveway has the limitation of not lasting as long as other driveway alternatives such as concrete, thus it may need to be replaced after a few years. There are also a limited number of design possibilities, so it may not be the ideal choice if you want a bespoke design to make your driveway stand out.

Below is an image of a tarmac driveway we have installed in Bexleyheath for a customer so you can see what the material looks like.

More information about tarmac driveways

Concrete Driveway Costs

A concrete slab driveway is one of the most long-lasting and robust driveway choices, with a lifespan of 50 years or more. Concrete is also very strong, so it can withstand the weight of large trucks without being damaged. The typical cost of a concrete driveway ranges from £2700 to £14,400, which may look to be pricey however, they provide excellent value for money.

You should also include in the cost of upkeep when determining the overall cost of an imprinted concrete driveway, since this style of driveway requires annual care, including sealing. It is also not the most eye – catching material, so it may not be the greatest option if you want to enhance the look of your home’s exterior.

Resin Driveway Costs

Resin driveways are divided into two types: resin-bound and resin-bonded, with the one consisting of aggregate mixed with resin and the second consisting of aggregate put on top of resin. Resin-bound driveways range in price from £1500 to £7200, making them one of the most cost-effective alternatives. They are also quick and simple to build.

If you have any big commercial trucks, you should avoid parking on a resin driveway since it will not be able to handle the weight. A resin-bonded driveway also demands a substantial amount of care, which you should include into the entire resin-bonded driveway cost.

Below is an image of a resin bound driveway that we installed for a customer in Bexleyheath so, you can see what the material looks like:

More information about resin bound driveways

Block Paving Driveway Costs

A driveway built of highly decorative bricks is known as block paving. One of the most appealing aspects of block paving is the variety of styles available, which may make your driveway stand out. A normal block paving driveway costs between £2100 to £9000, which is one of the higher price ranges, but it is profitable in the long term due to the cheap cost of maintenance.

If you pick specialised blocks instead of budget blocks, the cost of driveway paving might be significantly higher, which many people prefer because budget blocks fade with time. It’s also prone to weed and moss development, so it’ll need to be tended to on a regular basis.

Below is an image of a block paving driveway that we installed for a customer in Bexleyheath so, you can see what the material looks like:

More information about Block Paving Driveways

Advantages & Disadvantages of Each Driveway Paving Solution

Now that we have gone through the ball park costs of each driveway paving solution, lets have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of the different materials to help you decide which paving solution is best for your driveway.

We have also created a short infographic below to sum up the advantages for each material if you wish to skip this section and just quickly compare each material and its advantages.

What are the Additional Costs of a Driveway?

When having a driveway installed, there are a number of extra expenditures to consider, including:

Weed Membrane

You’ll need to place weed barrier on your driveway to avoid wood growth. This usually costs between £30 and £50 per square metre, and it is well worth the money to extend the life of your driveway.

Driveway Gate

Installing a driveway gate to complete your driveway and increase your home’s privacy is a good idea. This project usually costs approximately £800 to £1000 for a wooden gate, £300 to £500 for a metal gate, and £1400 to £1600 for an electronic gate.

Groundwork

It is vital to prepare the ground prior to building a new driveway in order to ensure that the driveway installation will endure. This usually costs between £15 and £20 per square metre, and it entails removing any dirt and levelling the land.

Existing Driveway Removal

The removal of the old driveway is one of the most time-consuming aspects of driveway installation. This may cost anything between £500 and £1500, depending on the type of material used and the size of the driveway. This will include pulling up the flooring and having it removed with a skip hiring provider, which may cost between £200 and £250.

Tradesmen Costs

One of the most significant costs to consider is labour, which varies depending on whether the tradesperson is self-employed or hired by a company, the location, and the style of driveway that has to be installed.

Driveway installers often charge between £150 and £200 a day to finish the project, however this varies depending on where you live and the size of the business you choose.

Driveway Maintenance Costs

Consider the following driveway maintenance costs to guarantee that your driveway installation is worthwhile and long-lasting:

Tarmac Driveway Maintenance Costs

Consider putting a sealer to your tarmac driveway to protect it from deterioration. You may hire a professional to seal your driveway for between £8 and £13 per square metre.

Concrete Driveway Maintenance

Concrete driveways require less care than other concrete types since they do not need to be resealed as frequently. If you wish to reseal your concrete driveway, the cost is generally comparable to that of asphalt driveway sealing. You may also seal it yourself for approximately £3 to £6 per gallon by purchasing sealant.

Block Paving Driveway Maintenance Costs

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 to £7 per square metre.

Gravel Driveway Maintenance

Gravel driveways are made out of loose rocks or stones that may be readily moved if not properly maintained. To keep it in good shape, you should try to clean it out on a regular basis using a high-quality rake, which will cost between £40 and £70.

Resin Driveway Maintenance Costs

Resin driveways are more permeable than conventional driveways since they already have a sealer. In the winter, though, you need maintain your resin driveway by adding de-icing salt to prevent ice and snow from clinging to it. This usually costs between £0.70 and £1 per kilogramme.

Driveway Repair Prices

After a period, your driveway may have scuffs or tiny holes on the surface, prompting you to consider replacing it; nevertheless, you may just require minor repairs. Here’s a breakdown of the many types of driveways and their repair costs.

Tarmac Driveway Repairs

If you’ve had your tarmac driveway for a long time, it’s possible that it’s developed dents or scuffs that can’t be fixed, therefore you’ll need to resurface it. This simply entails adding additional layer of tarmac to your existing driveway, which typically costs approximately £40 per square metre.

Concrete Driveway Repairs

Concrete is one of the most durable driveway materials, although it is subject to breaking over time. You may patch cracks or holes that are smaller than 14 inches wide yourself with a concrete crack filler, which costs between £8 and £16.

Block Paving Driveway Repair Costs

If any of the bricks in your block paving appear to be loose, it’s likely due to failing or empty joints that need to be re-pointed. If there is any old mortar present, it will be removed with a knife, followed by cleaning and replacement with fresh mortar. This is a do-it-yourself project that requires only a sharp tool and pavement mortar, which costs approximately £20 to £30 per tub.

Gravel Driveway Repairs

Gravel driveways may develop potholes over time, which are not only unattractive but also troublesome and can damage car tyres. Before filling up the hole with new gravel that will need to be crushed, you should first remove any debris from the area to ensure the surface is level. Because this is a time-consuming process, you may wish to hire a professional to fix your potholes, who would charge between £150 and £200 each day.

Resin Driveway Repair Costs

If your resin driveway has any tiny spots of damage, these may be chiselled out and restored. While it may appear to be a simple task, it can be rather difficult since the same resin must be used and the margins of the damaged area must be feathered to provide a smooth finish. You can expect to pay approximately £150 for a resin driveway repair if you employ a professional.

How much does it Cost to Remove an Existing Driveway?

If you want to replace your driveway, you’ll have to take out the old one first. The cost of removing an asphalt driveway ranges from £400 to £700, while removing a resin driveway costs between £150 and £450. The cost of removing a driveway made of various materials, such as gravel, ranges from £150 to £250, while removing a concrete driveway costs between £500 and £1500 and block paving may cost up to £600.

In the Market for a New Driveway?

Hopefully this article has covered all of the questions you may have about the different kinds of driveway materials, sizes and costs involved. If you have any more questions, our team at Home Pro Paving & Roofing Ltd would be more than happy to help you out. We also offer free, no-obligation quotations. If you would like a quote for a new driveway and live in Kent, Kent, Bexleyheath, Welling, Bexley, Gravesend, Medway, Maidstone, Falcon Wood, Barnehurst, Sidcup, Eltham, Gillingham, Chatham, Wilmington or the surrounding areas, please contact us today.