Driveway Cost Calculator UK 2025

Driveway costs per m² vary by surface type: Gravel £30-£60, Tarmac £40-£70, Block paving £60-£120, Resin bound £60-£100, Pattern imprinted concrete £50-£90, Natural stone £80-£150. A typical 50m² driveway costs £1,500-£7,500 depending on the surface chosen.

You do not need planning permission if the driveway uses a permeable surface (gravel, permeable block paving, resin bound) or if rainwater drains to a lawn or border rather than the road. If using an impermeable surface (standard tarmac, concrete) over 5m² that drains to the road, you need planning permission. This rule applies to front gardens only.

Installation times: Gravel 1-2 days, Tarmac 2-3 days, Block paving 3-7 days, Resin bound 2-4 days, Pattern imprinted concrete 3-5 days, Natural stone 5-10 days. Excavation adds 1-2 days. These timescales are for a typical 50m² driveway.

Gravel is the cheapest at £30-£60/m², but requires regular maintenance (topping up, raking). Tarmac is the cheapest hard surface at £40-£70/m² and is low maintenance. For the best balance of cost and appearance, pattern imprinted concrete (£50-£90/m²) offers good value.

A dropped kerb costs £800-£1,500 including the council application fee (£100-£350) and the physical work. The council may do the work themselves or approve a contractor. You must have a dropped kerb to legally drive across the pavement. Driving over a full-height kerb is a criminal offence and can damage your vehicle.

Natural stone and block paving last 25-50+ years with proper installation. Resin bound lasts 15-25 years. Tarmac lasts 15-20 years before resurfacing. Pattern imprinted concrete lasts 15-25 years but may need resealing every 3-5 years. Gravel needs topping up every 2-3 years but the base lasts indefinitely.

Drainage is strongly recommended for any impermeable surface to prevent standing water and flooding. Options include: linear channel drains (£500-£1,000), soakaways (£500-£1,500), or permeable sub-base with a permeable surface. Permeable surfaces (gravel, resin bound, permeable block paving) naturally drain and may not need additional drainage.

Resin bound (£60-£100/m²) is seamless, low maintenance, permeable and UV stable. Block paving (£60-£120/m²) offers more design flexibility, is easier to repair individual sections, and can be relaid. Resin bound can crack if the sub-base moves. Block paving can grow weeds between joints. Both are good choices depending on your priorities.

Maintain block paving by: sweeping regularly to prevent weed growth, applying weed killer or kiln-dried sand to joints annually, pressure washing every 1-2 years, re-sanding joints after pressure washing, and applying a sealant every 3-5 years (optional but reduces maintenance). Replace any sunken or damaged blocks promptly.

Gravel driveways are very DIY-friendly. Block paving is possible for experienced DIYers but requires careful sub-base preparation. Tarmac, resin bound, and pattern imprinted concrete require specialist equipment and are not suitable for DIY. Poor sub-base preparation is the main cause of driveway failure, so getting this right is critical.