How Much Does a New Driveway Cost Per m² in 2026?
A new driveway costs £45 to £130 per square metre fitted in the UK in 2026, depending on the surface. Gravel is cheapest at £40–£70/m²; resin bound sits at the top end at £80–£130/m². On a typical 45 m² driveway that is roughly £2,000 to £5,900 all in. Full per-m² breakdown by material below.
Driveway Cost Per m² by Surface
Per-m² rates below are supplied and fitted and include excavation, sub-base and labour on a straightforward job. Small driveways carry a higher rate per m² because fixed costs (mobilisation, skip hire, plant hire) are spread over less area.
Lowest cost and naturally permeable, so it usually avoids planning permission. Needs topping up every few years and can migrate onto the pavement.
Fast to lay and hard-wearing. Strong value per m² on larger driveways, where the rate drops toward the bottom of the range.
Labour-heavy but individually replaceable blocks and the widest choice of finishes. Permeable block options meet SuDS rules.
Per-m² averages only get you so far. Access, ground conditions and drainage move the number a lot. Get three real quotes on your actual driveway.
Get matched →Full Per-m² Price Table (Supplied & Fitted, 2026)
| Surface | Cost per m² | Typical 45 m² drive | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel / shingle | £40–£70 | £1,800–£3,150 | 10–20 yrs |
| Tarmac / asphalt | £45–£80 | £2,025–£3,600 | 15–20 yrs |
| Concrete | £60–£100 | £2,700–£4,500 | 30–40 yrs |
| Block paving | £70–£120 | £3,150–£5,400 | 20–30 yrs |
| Resin bound | £80–£130 | £3,600–£5,850 | 15–25 yrs |
| Pattern imprinted concrete | £75–£125 | £3,375–£5,625 | 20–30 yrs |
Rates are UK averages for Q3 2026 on a level, accessible plot. London and the South East typically run 15–25% above these figures.
Six Things That Change Your Cost Per m²
1. Driveway size (the rate falls as area rises)
Fixed costs — getting plant on site, skip hire, setting out — are the same whether you lay 20 m² or 80 m². A 20 m² block-paved drive can run £115/m² while the same spec over 80 m² drops to around £80/m². Always compare quotes on total price, not just rate.
2. Excavation depth and spoil removal
Most driveways need 150–250 mm dug out and carted away. Spoil disposal alone is typically £8–£15/m². If your existing surface is thick concrete needing breaking out, add £15–£30/m² on top.
3. Sub-base and ground conditions
Clay or soft ground needs a deeper MOT Type 1 sub-base, sometimes with a geotextile membrane. That can add £10–£25/m² before a single paver is laid.
4. Drainage and SuDS compliance
Since 2008, a new impermeable driveway over 5 m² that drains onto the highway needs planning permission. Most installers avoid this by using a permeable surface or adding an ACO channel and soakaway — budget £40–£80 per linear metre for a channel drain plus soakaway.
5. Edgings, kerbs and finishing
Edge restraint is not optional on block paving or resin. Concrete edgings run £25–£45 per linear metre fitted; a decorative kerb or brick soldier course pushes that higher.
6. Access
If a lorry cannot reach the plot and materials have to be barrowed, expect a 10–20% labour uplift. Terraced properties with rear-only access are the most affected.
Three Real Driveway Costings
Small terraced front drive — 18 m², block paving
- Excavation and spoil removal: £430
- MOT Type 1 sub-base and sand: £390
- Blocks, edgings and labour: £1,280
- Total: £2,100 — about £117/m²
Typical semi-detached drive — 45 m², tarmac
- Excavation, spoil and sub-base: £1,150
- Tarmac (base and wearing course) plus labour: £1,340
- Concrete edgings, 22 linear metres: £660
- Total: £3,150 — about £70/m²
Large detached drive — 80 m², resin bound over new base
- Excavation, sub-base and binder course: £3,600
- Resin bound topping and labour: £3,900
- Channel drain and soakaway: £900
- Total: £8,400 — about £105/m²
Notice how the per-m² rate falls between the 18 m² and 45 m² jobs even though the tarmac job is a cheaper material — scale is doing most of the work.
Driveway Cost Per m² — FAQ
Across all surfaces the UK average is roughly £45–£130 per m² supplied and fitted. Gravel sits at the bottom (£40–£70/m²) and resin bound at the top (£80–£130/m²).
The three usual reasons are a small total area (fixed costs spread thinly), poor ground needing a deeper sub-base, or drainage works to meet SuDS rules. Ask your installer to itemise excavation, sub-base, surface and drainage separately so you can see where the money goes.
Yes. Doubling the area typically cuts the rate per m² by 15–30% because mobilisation, plant hire and setting out are fixed. The total price still rises, but each square metre costs less.
Usually it includes excavating soil or a thin existing surface, but breaking out thick reinforced concrete is often quoted separately at £15–£30/m². Confirm this in writing before you accept a quote.
Not if the surface is permeable, or if run-off is directed to a soakaway or lawn within your own boundary. An impermeable driveway over 5 m² draining onto the road does need permission. See our driveway planning guide.
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