A new driveway can transform the exterior of a home and improve its kerb appeal, especially when opting for a beautiful gravel driveway. While the surface finish of your new driveway is likely to be your primary consideration, the cost of a new driveway is inevitably a factor too. We recommend getting quotes from reputable contractors when you’re considering a new driveway, as there are many variable elements. But, here is a rough guide to the costs of installing a new driveway to help you in your decision-making.
- Block paved driveways
Block paving is a hard-wearing option with a wide choice of colour and shape to consider. Drainage and weed control can be an issue on these types of driveways, and the overall appearance of this kind of driveway surface can be quite harsh, especially when used over larger areas. On average, you could expect to pay between £75-£100 per square metre for typical clay block paving construction work. That includes labour at around £35-£45 per square metre.
- Concrete driveways
While it’s prone to cracking if not laid correctly, a concrete driveway is a durable, low-maintenance and comparatively low-cost option. You should budget to pay around £35-£50 per square metre, including the cost of excavation. Variable factors that will influence the price include the size and condition of the area. Beauxfort customer, Michael Alderton, opted against a concrete driveway and instead chose gravel for his new home in Hurstpierpoint because of its free draining qualities and to avoid the flooding issues sometimes associated with concrete driveways.
- Tarmac and asphalt driveways
Tarmac and asphalt offer a low-maintenance, quick to lay and affordable option. However, while the stark black appearance of these driveway surfaces can suit some properties, they can be an unappealing and industrial-looking option. The principal drawbacks are softening and rutting in hot weather. You should expect to pay around £45-£60 per square metre for a tarmac surface.
- Resin-bonded driveways
Although a low-cost option, resin-bonded driveways are tricky to lay well and are non-permeable, making them a less than ideal choice in the wet British weather. Often, it’s a surface chosen by homeowners looking to create the look of a loose gravel driveway but have concerns about gravel migration or rutting. A ballpark figure to lay a resin-bonded driveway is £45-60 per square metre, but it depends on size, layout, choice and size of aggregate, and the existing surface. What’s more, it could end up costing far more over time if not laid properly.
- Resin-bound driveways
A resin-bound driveway offers superior properties to a resin-bound finish, including being permeable. However, it is more expensive to install because it needs a sub-base to be laid before the resin bound aggregate can be installed. A resin-bound driveway may cost £60-£100 per square metre but results in a longer-lasting finish than its resin-bonded counterpart.
- Gravel driveways
How much a new gravel driveway costs is dependent on several factors, including the size of the area being laid and the condition of what’s already there. If it’s a simple overlay and a good base exists, with a quality gravel retention grid system installed, then costs can be around £20-£30 per square metre. If digging out and a new sub-base are required, prices will be more like £50-60 per square metre.
The wise homeowner won’t skip proper preparation – the longevity of your drive depends on how well this is done, including laying a gravel grid system to ensure a stable base and reduce gravel migration and undesirable rutting. Gravelrings gravel mats stop gravel moving out of place, for example into plant beds and on to lawns. Beauxfort client, Paul McMullan, had a gravel driveway at his home in Burgess Hill, but needed to replace it when it started to thin and rut. One of his key requirements was that Gravelrings gravel retention grids were laid beneath the replacement gravel driveway. He ultimately saved on labour costs because the high-quality Gravelrings fitted together easily and reduced labour time.
Achieve the perfect gravel driveway with the Beauxfort Gravelrings system. Check out our website www.beauxfort.com for more information about the Beauxfort landscape systems and design inspiration, and to download the Beauxfort Distinctive Landscape Systems brochure and request a free sample. Or talk to our friendly team about your project by contacting us on 0330 055 2599 or info@beauxfort.com.
