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How much does a new driveway cost in the UK?
MyBuilder puts most new UK driveways at £2,500 to £8,000 for a 40–50 m² drive.2 Checkatrade's averages run from about £60 per m² for gravel to £120 per m² for resin, fitted.1 A two-car drive is usually about 40–50 m².
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Typical prices
| Surface | MyBuilder range per m² | Checkatrade average per m² | About 40 m² (typical two-car drive) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | £40–£70 | £60 | £1,600–£2,800 |
| Tarmac | £40–£70 | £90 | £1,600–£3,600 |
| Concrete | £80–£100 | £95 | £3,200–£4,000 |
| Block paving | £80–£150 | £100 | £3,200–£6,000 |
| Resin bound | £80–£150 | £120 | £3,200–£6,000 |
Prices: Checkatrade, MyBuilder. Digging out an old drive adds about £30–£50 per m². A dropped kerb and drainage are usually extra.
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What pushes the price up
- The ground underneath. Breaking out an old surface and levelling adds about £30–£50 per m². MyBuilder says this is the line that disappears from cheap quotes.2
- The surface. Block paving and resin cost roughly twice as much as gravel or tarmac.2
- Drainage and edging. Channels, edging or dropped kerb work can add £500–£1,500.2 In England, a new front drive over 5 m² in a non-permeable surface needs planning permission unless water drains to a lawn or border.3
- Skip hire. Checkatrade puts this at about £125–£320 a week.1
- Where you live. Labour in London and the South East tends to be 15–20% above average.2
What a cowboy quote looks like
- They knock on your door saying they have "leftover tarmac" from a job nearby.
- No sub-base depth in the quote, or they plan to lay straight over the old surface.
- No mention of drainage or planning on a front drive.
- Cash only, a big deposit, or a price that is only good if you agree today.
- A price far below the others with no explanation of what is left out.
Questions to ask before you hire
- How deep will you dig, and how deep is the sub-base (Type 1) once compacted?
- Is the surface permeable, or how will rainwater drain? Do I need planning permission?
- Does the price include removing the old drive and taking the waste away?
- What edging will you use, and is it set in concrete?
- Is the dropped kerb included, or do I arrange it with the council?
- What guarantee do I get, and is it insurance-backed?
How long it takes
Time depends on size, dig-out and surface. Tarmac can go down in a day; block paving is slower. Resin and concrete need dry, mild weather to cure.2 Your installer should give you a timeline after seeing the site.
Get at least three quotes and compare what each one includes, not just the total.
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Sources
- Checkatrade, How much does a driveway cost in the UK in 2026 (updated April 2026): checkatrade.com
- MyBuilder, Driveway cost UK (updated August 2026): mybuilder.com
- GOV.UK, Guidance on the permeable surfacing of front gardens: gov.uk