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  • Resin bound driveways from ยฃ2,500 nationally
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โœ… Reviewed by the BestBuilders editorial team on 17 June 2026. All cost ranges, brand pricing, regulatory references and step-by-step processes verified against current Q2 2026 UK market data and regulator publications. Editorial standards: /editorial-standards.
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How Much Does a New Driveway Cost in the UK?

Block Paving
Block Paving Driveway
ยฃ2,000 โ€“ ยฃ13,000

The UK's most popular driveway choice. Durable, attractive and fully repairable. Suitable for most vehicle loads. Wide range of colours, patterns and edging options available.

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Resin Bound
Resin Bound Driveway
ยฃ2,500 โ€“ ยฃ15,500

Smooth, permeable surface that meets SuDS regulations โ€” no planning permission required for most properties. Low maintenance, weed-resistant and available in natural aggregate finishes.

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Tarmac or Concrete
Tarmac or Concrete Driveway
ยฃ1,000 โ€“ ยฃ7,000

The most cost-effective hard-standing option. Tarmac installs fastest; concrete offers maximum longevity. Both are suitable for heavy vehicles and large driveway areas.

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Your Project
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Costs depend on size, surface choice and ground conditions. Compare 3 quotes from vetted local contractors.

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Pricing note: Driveway costs depend heavily on size and existing ground conditions. Removing an old driveway adds ยฃ300โ€“ยฃ800. Prices in London are 15โ€“25% above the national average. All quoted prices assume a standard single car (approx. 20โ€“30mยฒ) to double-car (40โ€“60mยฒ) driveway.

Driveway Contractors Who Get It Right First Time

A poorly installed driveway settles, cracks, floods or washes away within a few years. The quality of sub-base preparation, drainage design and surface installation determines how long your driveway lasts โ€” and that starts with choosing the right contractor.

BestBuilders connects you with Marshalls-registered driveway contractors who carry verified public liability insurance, hold relevant trade qualifications and have genuine customer reviews. Whether you're installing a new driveway from scratch or replacing an old one, we match you with contractors who know their materials and understand SuDS drainage regulations.

Every contractor in our network is verified for insurance, qualifications and reviews before they receive a single lead from us.

How we vet contractors โ†’

What's Typically Included

โœ“ Removal and disposal of existing surface
โœ“ Excavation to correct depth for sub-base
โœ“ Compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base layer
โœ“ Drainage channels or soakaway where required
โœ“ Surface installation and edging
โœ“ Sand jointing or pointing (block paving)
โœ“ Site clean-up on completion

How It Works

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Tell us your surface type and postcode
60 seconds. Not sure? Select "Not sure yet" โ€” contractors will advise.
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We match you with local specialists
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Choosing the Right Driveway Surface

Each driveway surface has different characteristics for cost, appearance, maintenance and drainage. Here's how they compare.

๐ŸŸซ Block paving

CostMedium
Lifespan25โ€“40 years
MaintenanceLowโ€“medium
PermeableIf jointed

The most popular choice in the UK. Individual blocks can be lifted and relaid for access to services below โ€” a major practical advantage. Weed growth between joints is the main maintenance task. Available in clay or concrete in dozens of colours and patterns.

๐ŸŸจ Resin bound

CostMediumโ€“high
Lifespan15โ€“25 years
MaintenanceVery low
PermeableYes โ€” SuDS compliant

Resin bound is fully permeable, meaning rainwater drains through the surface โ€” SuDS compliant and typically exempt from planning permission. Virtually weed-free, UV stable and available in a wide range of aggregate colours. The most aesthetically refined option for modern homes.

โฌ› Tarmac

CostLow
Lifespan20โ€“30 years
MaintenanceLow
PermeableNo (drainage required)

The fastest to install and most budget-friendly option. Tarmac handles heavy vehicle loads well and can be resurfaced when worn rather than fully replaced. Requires proper drainage channels as it's impermeable. Can be finished with a decorative chip or resin seal coat for improved appearance.

โš  SuDS & planning permission

Since 2008, front gardens over 5mยฒ in England require a permeable surface or adequate drainage to avoid planning permission. Resin bound and permeable block paving are automatically compliant. Tarmac and concrete require drainage to soakaway or highway drainage. Your contractor will advise on compliance โ€” always confirm before laying an impermeable surface.

๐Ÿš— Dropped kerb

If your property doesn't have a dropped kerb, you'll need to apply to your local council before crossing the pavement. This costs ยฃ500โ€“ยฃ1,500 on average and the council carries out the work. Some councils have a waiting list. It's separate from the driveway installation โ€” start the application early.

Driveway Installation Cost by Material and Region (2026)

Live cost ranges from the Best Builders 2026 Cost Index, aggregated across 519 UK towns. Costs cover excavation, sub-base, edging, surface and basic drainage for a typical 30โ€“50mยฒ domestic driveway. Excludes dropped kerb fees (council-charged separately, ยฃ350โ€“ยฃ900) and SuDS (Sustainable Drainage System) where required.

RegionBlock PavingResin BoundTarmac
Londonยฃ3,000 โ€“ ยฃ13,000ยฃ4,000 โ€“ ยฃ15,500ยฃ1,500 โ€“ ยฃ7,000
South Eastยฃ3,000 โ€“ ยฃ12,000ยฃ4,000 โ€“ ยฃ14,500ยฃ1,500 โ€“ ยฃ6,500
Southernยฃ2,000 โ€“ ยฃ11,000ยฃ2,500 โ€“ ยฃ13,000ยฃ1,000 โ€“ ยฃ6,000
Easternยฃ2,000 โ€“ ยฃ10,000ยฃ2,500 โ€“ ยฃ12,000ยฃ1,000 โ€“ ยฃ5,500
West Midlandsยฃ2,000 โ€“ ยฃ10,000ยฃ2,500 โ€“ ยฃ12,000ยฃ1,000 โ€“ ยฃ5,500
East Midlandsยฃ2,000 โ€“ ยฃ10,000ยฃ2,500 โ€“ ยฃ12,000ยฃ1,000 โ€“ ยฃ5,500
Yorkshireยฃ2,000 โ€“ ยฃ9,000ยฃ2,500 โ€“ ยฃ11,000ยฃ1,000 โ€“ ยฃ5,000
North Westยฃ2,000 โ€“ ยฃ9,000ยฃ2,500 โ€“ ยฃ11,000ยฃ1,000 โ€“ ยฃ5,000
South Westยฃ2,000 โ€“ ยฃ9,000ยฃ2,500 โ€“ ยฃ11,000ยฃ1,000 โ€“ ยฃ5,000
North Eastยฃ2,000 โ€“ ยฃ9,000ยฃ2,500 โ€“ ยฃ11,000ยฃ1,000 โ€“ ยฃ5,000
Scotland (North)ยฃ2,000 โ€“ ยฃ9,000ยฃ2,500 โ€“ ยฃ11,000ยฃ1,000 โ€“ ยฃ5,000
Scotland (South)ยฃ2,000 โ€“ ยฃ9,000ยฃ2,500 โ€“ ยฃ11,000ยฃ1,000 โ€“ ยฃ5,000
South Walesยฃ2,000 โ€“ ยฃ8,000ยฃ2,500 โ€“ ยฃ9,500ยฃ1,000 โ€“ ยฃ4,500
Merseyside & N. Walesยฃ2,000 โ€“ ยฃ8,000ยฃ2,500 โ€“ ยฃ9,500ยฃ1,000 โ€“ ยฃ4,500

Source: Best Builders 2026 Cost Index ยท Regional variation in driveway pricing is narrower than building work because materials dominate cost. Resin commands the highest premium for its low-maintenance finish; tarmac remains the most economical surface for larger areas. See full cost index โ†’

What Homeowners Say About Our Driveway Contractors

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.8 / 5
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

Three block paving quotes in 24 hours, all from contractors who clearly knew their stuff. The one we chose was meticulous with the sub-base preparation โ€” explained exactly what he was doing and why. Three years on and the driveway looks as good as the day it was laid.

James W.
Bolton, Manchester
Block Paving
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

Had a resin bound driveway installed โ€” wanted something low maintenance and SuDS compliant. The contractor BestBuilders matched us with had done hundreds of resin installs. Flawless finish, no weeds, no issues. Completely transformed the front of the house.

Helen R.
Solihull, Birmingham
Resin Bound
โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜†

Needed a large tarmac driveway for a good price. Got three competitive quotes through BestBuilders โ€” all legitimate contractors with proper insurance. The price came in much lower than I'd expected and the work was done in a day. Very happy.

Chris G.
Warrington
Tarmac Driveway

Driveway FAQs

For front garden driveways in England over 5mยฒ, planning permission is required if you use a non-permeable surface (like standard tarmac or solid concrete) unless you install adequate drainage to a soakaway or highway drain. Permeable surfaces โ€” including resin bound, permeable block paving and gravel โ€” are automatically exempt from planning permission under permitted development. Rear and side driveways generally don't require permission. Your contractor will confirm what applies to your property and surface choice.
A standard single or double car driveway (20โ€“60mยฒ) typically takes 1โ€“3 days to install, depending on the surface type and how much preparation work is needed. Tarmac is the fastest โ€” often completed in a single day. Block paving takes longer due to the individual laying process. Resin bound typically takes 1โ€“2 days. Excavation and sub-base preparation add time if the existing surface needs significant breaking out. Allow an additional day if drainage channels need installing.
A single car driveway is typically 2.4โ€“3m wide ร— 5โ€“6m long (approx. 12โ€“18mยฒ). A double car driveway is typically 4.8โ€“6m wide ร— 5โ€“6m long (approx. 24โ€“36mยฒ). Driveway costs are generally priced per square metre โ€” larger driveways cost more in total but often less per mยฒ due to economies of scale. Always ask for a per-mยฒ rate in your quotes so you can compare them fairly.
A properly installed resin bound driveway typically lasts 15โ€“25 years with minimal maintenance. The key factors are the quality of the sub-base (a solid, well-compacted base prevents cracking), the resin system used (UV-stable resins prevent yellowing and degradation) and the aggregate quality. Avoid very cheap resin quotes โ€” corners are often cut on the sub-base or resin specification, leading to cracking and delamination within a few years.
Marshalls is the UK's leading manufacturer of driveway and landscaping products. The Marshalls Register is a network of approved contractors who have been trained and assessed in the correct installation of Marshalls products. Registration indicates a contractor has demonstrated competence in sub-base preparation, drainage and surface installation โ€” the three areas where poor workmanship most commonly causes driveway failure. All driveway contractors in the BestBuilders network are verified for Marshalls Register membership or equivalent qualification.
Driveways attract a disproportionate number of rogue traders. Watch out for: unsolicited cold-callers who claim to have "leftover materials" from a nearby job; quotes with no written detail on sub-base depth, drainage or materials specification; requests for large cash deposits before work starts; contractors who can't provide proof of insurance or trade registration. Always get at least 3 written quotes and never pay in full before completion.
Block paving (ยฃ2,000โ€“ยฃ13,000) โ€” most popular, repairable, 20โ€“25 year life, can lift over time. Resin-bound (ยฃ2,500โ€“ยฃ15,500) โ€” smoothest finish, permeable (no planning), low maintenance, 15โ€“20 year life but UV-sensitive in budget products. Tarmac (ยฃ1,000โ€“ยฃ7,000) โ€” cheapest for large areas, fastest install, 10โ€“15 year life, prone to softening in hot summers. Gravel โ€” cheapest of all at ยฃ25โ€“ยฃ60/mยฒ, easy DIY, but loose stones, weeds, and not great for low cars.
Most domestic driveways install in 3โ€“7 working days. Block paving and resin both need 2โ€“3 days for excavation and sub-base, then 1โ€“2 days for laying and finishing. Tarmac is fastest โ€” typically 2โ€“4 days total. Add 1โ€“2 days if drainage solutions or a dropped kerb application are required. Weather is the biggest variable: heavy rain stops resin and tarmac laying; frost prevents tarmac compaction. Your installer will schedule around forecast.
Yes if you don't already have one or are extending an existing access. A vehicle crossover (dropped kerb) is mandatory wherever you cross a public footway with a vehicle. Apply via your local council โ€” typical fees: ยฃ350โ€“ยฃ900 for a standard residential crossover, taking 6โ€“12 weeks for approval and works. You cannot legally drive over a full-height kerb. The driveway installer can usually project-manage the application but the council does the actual crossover construction.
Typical UK lifespans before major resurfacing: Block paving 20โ€“25 years (individual blocks replaceable indefinitely); Resin-bound 15โ€“20 years (full resurface needed at end of life); Tarmac 10โ€“15 years (top layer can be refreshed); Concrete 30+ years (cracks once water gets in); Gravel 5โ€“10 years before top-up needed. Sub-base quality is more important than surface material for long life โ€” cheap installs that skip sub-base depth fail in 5โ€“8 years regardless of surface.
Most domestic driveways DON'T need planning permission IF the surface is permeable (resin-bound, permeable block paving, gravel) OR drains to a permeable area within the property (not the public sewer). Impermeable surfaces over 5mยฒ (standard tarmac, sealed concrete, standard block paving without drainage) require planning permission since 2008 regulations. Properties in conservation areas, listed buildings, or with Article 4 Directions have additional restrictions. Your installer will advise on compliance.
Yes, particularly if you're going from on-street parking to off-street. A new driveway typically adds 5โ€“10% to property value in urban areas (ยฃ15,000โ€“ยฃ50,000+ on a ยฃ300kโ€“ยฃ500k home), driven by parking scarcity and insurance discounts. Off-street parking often qualifies for lower home insurance premiums (typically 5โ€“15% reduction). Kerb appeal is the secondary benefit โ€” a modern resin or block-paved driveway noticeably improves first impressions for buyers and valuers.
Weeds: use kiln-dried jointing sand on block paving (re-apply every 2โ€“3 years); resin and tarmac don't support weed growth. Oil stains: address within 24h with cat litter or oil-stain remover; resin is most stain-resistant. Sealing: block paving benefits from sealing every 3โ€“5 years (ยฃ300โ€“ยฃ800) โ€” reduces fade, locks jointing sand, eases cleaning. Damage: avoid skip wagons or heavy vehicles for first 4 weeks while sub-base settles. Pressure-wash annually at most.
Yes if the surface is impermeable AND larger than 5mยฒ. Options include: (1) Linear drains across the entry/exit (ยฃ200โ€“ยฃ600), draining to a soakaway or permeable area. (2) Permeable surface โ€” resin-bound or permeable block paving needs no separate drainage. (3) Soakaway โ€” a buried gravel-filled pit (ยฃ600โ€“ยฃ1,500) โ€” required where the driveway can't drain to garden or permeable area. Direct connection to public sewer is generally not permitted without Thames Water (or equivalent) approval.
Best Builders matches homeowners with vetted, insured driveway specialists across all 519 UK towns in our network โ€” London, Home Counties, Midlands, North, Scotland and Wales. Each town page shows verified specialists local to your postcode plus typical regional cost ranges. If your postcode is outside main coverage, we still send your enquiry to qualified contractors willing to travel, though availability may be limited.

Our sources for this guide

Cost ranges, regulatory information and material lifespans on this page are compiled from:

Editorial standards & how to reach us

This page is maintained by the Best Builders editorial team. Cost figures are reviewed quarterly against active quote data from our verified UK contractor network. Regulatory information (planning, SuDS, dropped kerb) is checked against current UK government guidance at each refresh. We do not accept payment for editorial coverage; contractor listings are earned through our vetting process.

If you spot an error or have feedback, email editorial@bestbuilders.co.uk.

Last updated: 23 May 2026 · Next scheduled review: 23 August 2026

Driveway Contractors Across 519 UK Towns

Each town page shows local contractors, town-specific cost ranges and nearby areas.

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