Costs · Updated May 2026

How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost in 2026? (UK)

A UK concrete driveway in 2026 costs £55-£110/m² fitted. A standard reinforced slab drive sits at £55-£75/m², pattern-imprinted concrete (PIC) at £80-£110/m², and polished or exposed-aggregate finishes from £95/m² up. For a typical 40m² driveway expect £2,800-£4,400, a 60m² £4,400-£6,600 and a 80m² £6,000-£8,800. Add £600-£2,500 if you need a new sub-base, drainage upgrade or SuDS-compliant soakaway. This guide gives the full 2026 ladder by size, finish, base prep and access.

£55-£110/m² fitted Ladder by finish Hidden cost drivers
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2026 Price Ladder

Concrete Driveway Cost by Size & Finish

Standard reinforced slab (most common)

£55-£75/m². Mesh-reinforced 100mm slab on 150mm Type 1 sub-base. Brushed or float finish. The cheapest compliant option for a typical UK driveway.

Pattern-imprinted concrete (PIC)

£80-£110/m². Colour-hardened and imprinted with a stone or brick pattern. Sealed every 3-5 years. Premium kerb appeal at mid-range cost.

Exposed aggregate or polished

£95-£140/m². Decorative aggregate pre-mixed into the slab and washed back before set. Long-life finish, minimal upkeep, premium architectural look.

SuDS-compliant permeable concrete

£90-£130/m². No planning permission required for any size as it meets Sustainable Drainage rules. Required if you remove an existing impermeable surface and exceed 5m².

Base prep & drainage

£15-£35/m² if existing base is poor, £600-£2,500 for new drainage / soakaway. Always priced separately on quotes — confirm what is included.

Removal of existing surface

Tarmac £8-£14/m², block paving £12-£18/m², old concrete £18-£28/m². Skip and disposal £180-£320 typical.

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Frequently Asked

Common Questions

25-40 years for a properly laid reinforced slab. Pattern-imprinted needs resealing every 3-5 years. Permeable concrete 15-25 years.
Not if the surface is permeable OR you direct runoff to a permeable area. Solid concrete over 5m² without drainage to a permeable area needs full planning.
2-4 days for a typical 40-60m² drive. Slab needs 7 days before light use, 28 days for full strength. Plan vehicle access around that.
Hairline shrinkage cracks are normal and cosmetic. Properly placed expansion joints prevent structural cracks. Insist on joints at every 4-5m and at returns.
Concrete is cheaper to lay (-15-25%) and faster, but blocks can be lifted to fix sub-surface utilities. PIC gives the look of blocks at concrete pricing.
Brushed or trowelled standard slab in mid-grey at £55-£65/m². Add a dark border or contrasting edge course for £4-£8/m² and it reads as a designed driveway.
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