Driveways · Updated August 2026
Driveway Cleaning Cost UK 2026: Pressure Washing Prices
Professional driveway cleaning costs £3–£6 per m² - about £120–£300 for a typical 40–60m² drive. Re-sanding block paving adds £5–£10 per m², and a full clean-and-seal package runs £300–£700.
Driveway cleaning cost by job — 2026
For a typical 40–60m² double drive with normal weathering.
| Job | Typical cost | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure wash only | £120–£300 | £3–£6 / m² | Block paving, concrete or tarmac |
| Re-sand block paving joints | +£200–£500 | £5–£10 / m² | Kiln-dried sand after the wash |
| Seal (block paving or imprinted concrete) | +£150–£400 | £3–£8 / m² | Slows weed and moss return |
| Full clean, re-sand and seal | £300–£700 | — | The every-3-5-years package |
| Weed / moss treatment | +£40–£100 | — | Worth it on neglected drives |
Indicative 2026 UK prices, compiled from published installer pricing (Checkatrade, MyJobQuote, MyBuilder and BookaBuilder cost guides, August 2026). BestBuilders has no quote history in this category yet, so treat these as a budgeting guide and confirm against three written quotes.
What changes the cost
| Cost factor | Typical impact | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Drive size | the base rate | Most quotes are per m² - measure yours before calling and the phone quote gets accurate |
| Surface type | ±20% | Block paving takes longest (joints); concrete and tarmac wash faster |
| Condition | ±£50–£150 | Years of moss and oil staining need pre-treatment and a slower pass |
| Re-sanding | +£5–£10 / m² | Washing strips the joint sand - skipping re-sand loosens blocks over time |
| Water supply | small | Most firms use your outside tap; no tap means a bowser and a surcharge |
Driveway cleaning cost by UK region — 2026
Modelled from regional labour rates rather than measured in this category — materials cost much the same everywhere, the labour does not.
| Region | Typical cost | vs UK average |
|---|---|---|
| London | £150–£390 | +25–30% |
| South East | £140–£360 | +15–20% |
| South West | £130–£320 | +5% |
| Midlands | £120–£300 | baseline |
| North England | £110–£280 | −5–10% |
| Scotland | £110–£270 | −10% |
| Wales | £110–£270 | −10% |
| Northern Ireland | £100–£260 | −15% |
Getting it priced properly
1. Measure before you call
Length times width in metres. Quotes are per m², so a measured drive turns a guess into a price.
2. Ask what happens to the joints
On block paving the wash strips the sand. A proper quote includes re-sanding - a cheap one leaves it out.
3. Seal in dry weather only
Sealant on a damp drive clouds. A firm that offers to seal same-day after washing is cutting a corner.
What this costs at a glance
The same table, drawn.
Driveway cleaning — frequently asked questions
£3–£6 per m² in 2026, so a typical 40–60m² drive runs £120–£300 for a pressure wash. A full clean, re-sand and seal package is £300–£700.
A domestic pressure washer will clean a drive, slowly, and often strips joint sand without replacing it. Professionals bring rotary cleaners, correct pressures per surface and re-sanding - the difference shows at the edges and joints.
Every three to five years for block paving and imprinted concrete. Sealing slows weed growth, moss and staining, which is what makes the next clean cheaper.
Yes - too much pressure flakes imprinted concrete, scars soft brick and blasts out jointing. The fix is surface-appropriate pressure and re-sanding afterwards, which is what you are paying a professional for.
Related cost guides
New drives priced by surface and size.
Potholes, sunken blocks and edge repairs priced.
Patios priced by stone and size.
Reviewed by the BestBuilders editorial team on 18 August 2026 · Next scheduled review: November 2026 · See our editorial standards.