A new driveway or patio is priced by the square metre, and the surface you choose is only part of the figure. The base underneath, the drainage and whether a car can legally reach it from the road matter just as much. Tell us the size and surface, add photos, and you get an indicative price range straight away. We then pass your enquiry to one local specialist, who confirms a fixed price. Ground and Gate does not do the work; your agreement is with the specialist.
Driveway surfaces compared per m²
Rates for a new surface on a new base, supplied and laid, waste taken away. Digging out and edgings are added on top.
| Surface | Per m² | Permeable? | Two-car drive on grass (about 30m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | £35–£60 | Yes | £1,900–£3,330 |
| Tarmac | £50–£80 | No | £2,350–£3,930 |
| Resin-bound | £75–£115 | Yes | £3,100–£4,980 |
| Imprinted concrete | £80–£120 | No | £3,250–£5,130 |
| Block paving | £90–£140 | Only if laid as permeable block | £3,550–£5,730 |
| Natural stone setts | £120–£200 | Depends on the joints | £4,450–£7,530 |
Resin laid over a sound tarmac or concrete drive skips the digging out and costs £55–£80 per m², so a two-car overlay comes to roughly £2,200–£3,390. Every new surface has a £1,500 minimum. See the driveway cost per m² guide and block paving vs resin.
What we cover
- Block paving: the long-lasting all-rounder.
- Resin driveways: permeable and smooth, new or over a sound drive.
- Tarmac driveways: good value, but needs drainage planned.
- Gravel driveways: cheapest, permeable, best in stabiliser grids.
- Patios: sandstone, porcelain, concrete or block.
- Paths and steps: paths, side returns and level changes.
- Dropped kerbs: council consent needed; always a survey.
- Drainage and soakaways: channel drains and soakaways.
- Turfing and groundworks: turf, artificial grass and ground prep.
- Driveway cleaning: cleaning, re-sanding and sealing.
Fences, gates and decking are a separate service: see fencing and gates.
The 5m² front-garden rule
In England, paving more than 5m² of a front garden with an impermeable surface needs planning permission unless the water drains to a lawn, border or soakaway on your own land. Gravel, resin-bound and permeable block paving pass. Tarmac, imprinted concrete and standard block need a drainage route or an application. Our guide to the 5m² rule explains it, and do I need planning permission for a driveway covers listed buildings, conservation areas and Article 4 directions, which tighten the rules.
Our estimator adds a drainage allowance to impermeable front drives, so the same drive can price higher at the front.
Dropped kerbs
Driving across the pavement needs the council, as highway authority, to agree a dropped kerb, usually built by a contractor the council has authorised. Every dropped kerb is a free site visit, not an instant price. The contractor's work is typically £1,200–£2,500, plus the council's own fees, which vary. See dropped kerbs and our guide on how to get a dropped kerb.
Drainage
Drives are laid to fall away from the house, with channel drains where needed. Channel drains cost £60–£100 per metre; a soakaway is £600–£1,200. Surface water must not be connected to a public sewer without the water company's consent, so those jobs are surveyed. Poor drainage and a thin sub-base are the two main reasons cheap driveways fail.
How it works
- Measure and describe the job; see how to measure your driveway. Add photos.
- See an indicative range straight away.
- One local specialist gets your enquiry. We have seen their public liability insurance and recorded its expiry, checked waste carrier registration and confirmed their identity and trading name. See how we check firms.
- They confirm a fixed price. Drives over 100m², patios over 80m², more than one level change or anything likely to pass £8,000 always get a free visit.
We cover Sutton Coldfield, North Birmingham, Solihull, South Birmingham, Edgbaston and Harborne, Lichfield and Tamworth, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Dudley and Stourbridge and Coventry.
Questions about driveways and patios
How much does a new driveway cost in Birmingham?
Most two-car driveways (about 30m²) laid on an old lawn come to between £1,900 for gravel and £5,730 for block paving, including digging out, edgings and waste. Natural stone can reach about £7,500. These are indicative; the specialist confirms a fixed price.
Which driveway surface lasts longest?
Well-laid block paving and natural stone commonly last 20 years or more, and individual blocks can be lifted and relaid. Resin and tarmac last well on a good base. In every case the sub-base and edges matter more than the surface.
Do I need planning permission for a new driveway?
Usually not, if the surface is permeable or the water drains onto your own land. A front driveway over 5m² with an impermeable surface and nowhere for the water to go needs permission. Listed buildings and conservation areas can add restrictions.
Can I have a driveway without a dropped kerb?
You can lay one, but you should not drive across a full-height kerb and pavement to reach it. Doing so can lead to enforcement by the council and damages the pavement. Apply for the dropped kerb before or alongside the driveway.