Driveways are one of the most quotable jobs in domestic building — the scope is usually clear, the work is largely external, and customers have often already decided what surface they want. The challenge is pricing the groundworks correctly, since that's where unexpected cost lives.
These are all-in prices including groundworks, labour, and materials for a standard domestic driveway (replacing an existing surface, no major drainage works). Average driveway size is 40–60 m².
| Surface type | All-in cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Block paving (standard) | £80 – £120 / m² | Most popular. Long-lasting, repairable. |
| Block paving (premium — natural stone) | £120 – £200 / m² | Sandstone, granite, or porcelain. Higher material cost. |
| Resin bound gravel | £65 – £100 / m² | Permeable. Good-looking. Popular at the moment. |
| Tarmac / asphalt | £40 – £70 / m² | Fast to lay. Less premium-looking but very durable. |
| Pattern imprinted concrete | £80 – £130 / m² | Decorative but can crack over time. |
| Loose gravel (self-binding) | £25 – £45 / m² | Cheapest option. Requires edging and occasional top-up. |
| Size | Typical cost (block paving) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-car driveway (20–30 m²) | £1,800 – £4,500 | |
| 2-car driveway (40–50 m²) | £3,500 – £7,500 | Most common size |
| Large driveway (60–100 m²) | £5,500 – £14,000 |
The visible surface is only part of the job. The groundworks underneath — excavation, sub-base, edging, and drainage — typically account for 30–40% of the total cost and are the most variable element. Key factors: depth of excavation needed (a weak sub-base needs more dig-out and more MOT Type 1 sub-base material), soil type (clay needs more excavation than gravel), and whether there are tree roots or existing drainage to work around. Never price a driveway without establishing what's currently there and what the ground conditions are like.
This is the most commonly missed issue on driveway quotes. Since 2008, front garden driveways over 5 m² require either a permeable surface OR drainage that directs runoff to a lawn or border — otherwise planning permission is needed. Resin bound and permeable block paving are SuDS-compliant (they let water drain through). Solid impermeable surfaces like concrete or non-permeable tarmac require planning permission if they're at the front of the house. Check this before quoting — customers often don't know, and getting it wrong exposes them (and potentially you) to enforcement.
Always state in your quote whether kerb drop, manhole cover upgrades, and drainage connections are included. These three items alone account for most driveway quote disputes.
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