Average cost of a driveway

Summary: How much does a new driveway cost, average labour costs and average cost of materials.

If you have a set budget, then a new driveway can still be achieved but, there may be limitations on how this is done. At the other end of the scale the cost of a new driveway can be considerable. Like most things there are a range of options from a budget new look through to the Rolls Royce of driveways.

Average Cost

Factors to consider

A major factor will of course be the size of driveway. Not only does this influence the cost of construction, but it may be a factor in determining whether you need planning permission. Since 2008 it has been a requirement to obtain planning permission for the replacement or construction of a new or replacement driveway which is anything over 5 square metres in size where the surface is non-permeable i.e. there is substantial run off.

Once you have permission (if required) the next decision is whether it is to be a DIY or specialist job. For most people it will be the latter as to get a quality result can be quite difficult. When deciding who to employ look around at other people’s driveways and try and identify a contractor whose work you like. Ask around as local tradesmen often work on the basis of such recommendations.

The next consideration is your choice of surface materials. Ranging from anything such as a quick layer of tarmac through to elaborate block paving, there is a bewildering array of choice. When comparing quotes from a specialist be sure that you know what materials they are planning to use. When deciding what materials to use one of the major considerations should be how long you want the new driveway to last. If you are sprucing up your property to sell you probably don’t want to invest large amounts and a smart new tarmac surface may suffice.

Other driveway surfaces include cobbles, gravel, chippings, flag stones, concrete and brick. Each has its advantages and disadvantages such as ease of upkeep, longevity, look, feel and condition when wet. Where safety is an issue, cobbles can be quite slippery and for security gravel drives make a noise that can deter burglars. Carefully consider what you want from the finished look as cost is not the only factor.

Costs to consider

What you choose for your drive way has a big influence on cost with natural flag stones and block paving being at the top end of the scale and gravel generally being cheaper. There is a range of options in between and it is possible to use a mixture of surfaces and still get a good result. Even within each type of surface there are cost variables arising from the quality of the finish. In a small area for example tarmac can work out more expensive than block paving because of the equipment involved. In a larger area the converse may be true.

The costs of block paving vary dependent on the size, shape and quality of blocks used. Blocks come in all shapes and sizes and can be used to make a wide variety of designs. Manufactured concrete blocks are cheaper for example than kiln baked bricks. It may be wise to consider how complex you want the drive to be. A simple straight forward project keeps costs down.

The choice of supplier and surface are a major part of the cost considerations but it is also important to consider how much work needs to be done to put the driveway in place. Naturally, a clear drained surface which is ready to lay will be cheaper than one which requires the removal of an existing surface. Digging up an old concrete drive can be costly and time consuming. However, the preparation work may be something to consider as a DIY project if you are looking to save cost. Drainage is an important aspect of a new drive. If the surface is to be non-permeable the ground will need to be prepared before hand to ensure a suitable run off.

A driveway is essentially a multi-layered project so it is not just the cost of the surface or top layer that needs to be considered. It will need a base layer and also sub layers onto which the drive is laid. The requirements will essentially depend on what the finished surface may be. Some surfaces will require mortaring or pointing with sand or cement so all these additional materials will also need to be factored in.