Concrete Driveway Cost

Trying to find out how much a concrete driveway costs to lay?

In this guide we breakdown concrete driveway prices including stamped concrete driveway prices and imprinted concrete price for your driveway.

After reading this guide, anyone should be able to calculate the cost of new driveway installation.

Depending on the size and style of driveway that you're looking for, you should expect to pay between £600-£8,000 for installation.

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How Much Do Concrete Driveways Cost?

A concrete drive is a great place to park your car to get it off the street, but it is also a great way to transform your home. It improves the first impressions of your property and can even add value to the home.

Private parking is especially beneficial if you live in a busy area and you are continually fighting with your neighbours for a parking spot by your home.

However, driveways are not cheap. A concrete driveway is probably the most popular option of driveway in the UK today because they look fantastic and come in a number of styles.

They are also one of the cheapest options of driveway construction, which is beneficial for when you’re building a new drive.

Concrete Driveway Prices

Below is a table highlighting the prices you should expect to pay to have a simple concrete driveway installed at your home.

If you are looking for something a bit more extravagant, or if you have a lot of space to work with, then you may be interested in having an imprinted concrete driveway installed at your home.

Below is a table indicating the costs that you should expect to pay for an imprinted concrete driveway.

Supply Only Costs

There are many costs involved with building a new driveway. Below are the main costs for supplies that you may need to complete the job.

• Blocks and edgings - £900-£1,000 per m²
• Kiln-dried sand - £70-£80 per m²
• Sharp sand - £130-£160 per m²
• 3x skip hire - £200-£500
• Mini-digger hire - £130-£200
• Weed mat - £40 per m²
• Concrete cost - £60-£90 per m²

Labour Costs and Time Scales

The average cost for the labour of installing a concrete driveway usually falls somewhere between £40-£50 per m². Depending on the complexity of the job and the time it takes your particular labourer to complete each metre square of concrete, you would be looking to pay an average of £220-£450 per day for labour.

A small driveway for one car can take as little as 2 days to complete, whereas a larger driveway for four cars will take closer to a week to complete. It is important to keep this in mind when looking into the labour costs, especially if the company charges a daily rate.

Additional Costs

There are a number of additional costs that may come up when you install a new concrete driveway. Below are some of the additional costs that you may need to consider when having your new driveway installed.

• New driveway gate - £500-£1,000
• Security light - £10-£200
• New garden wall - £800-£1,200
• New garden fence - £500-£1,500
• Landscaping - £80-£150 per m²
• CCTV system - £225-£850

Cost Factors of Installing a Concrete Driveway

There are a number of cost factors that may affect the overall price that you pay to have a concrete driveway installed at your home. The size of the driveway that you’re having installed is the first and most obvious factor that would affect the cost.

For example, a single-car driveway would cost around £530-£730 whereas a driveway that fits four cars would cost around £3,400-£3,600.

Another factor that would affect the price of your new driveway installation is whether or not you have an existing driveway that needs removing, and whether you already have driveway foundations laid.

If you are having a completely new driveway installed, this will cost a little bit more than if you already have a driveway.

A further factor that will affect the overall cost of your new driveway installation is whether you are hiring a professional to carry out the work for you or whether you’re doing the work yourself. If you are carrying out the work yourself, you can save approximately £250-£1,550 by diminishing the cost of labour.

Whether you want a simple concrete driveway, or a patterned driveway can affect the cost of the job. A simple small driveway can cost somewhere between £280-£380 (excluding labour) whereas a small patterned driveway will cost around £1,100-£1,200 (excluding labour).

What's Involved in Installing a Concrete Driveway?

Below is a list of the steps that are involved with laying a concrete driveway.

Step One

The first step when installing a new concrete driveway is to layout the perimeter of your driveway with wooden stakes. Once you have the shape and dimensions correct, outline the perimeter with wooden stakes.

Drive these stakes into the ground at regular intervals and ensure the final outline matches up with your planned driveway size.

Step Two

Use some sturdy wooden planks to create a solid, temporary housing for your new driveway. These wooden planks will keep your concrete in place when it is poured. You must ensure these planks are anchored in so that they are consistently aligned and stay straight throughout the process of building your driveway.

Step Three

You must now dig out the topsoil and level out the driveway sub-base. It is essential that you have a level foundation. Be sure to dig out the top level so that it’s at your required depth.

If the sub-base is not suitable at this level, dig a further four inches and add your hardcore. This will need to be compacted to avoid the concrete from cracking. This firmly compacted layer will provide a solid foundation upon which your concrete can be poured on.

Step Four

If necessary, you may want to reinforce your driveway with steel so that it becomes a lot stronger. This will enable you to handle heavier loads with ease. To do this, you need to install reinforcing steel bars in a grid-style pattern all over your pour site.

You can buy dedicated concrete mesh made from steel for this purpose. If you reinforce your concrete with steel mesh, this will help to distribute the weight of your vehicles a lot more evenly. The steel mesh will drastically improve the strength of your driveway.

Step Five

Now that all the foundations are set up, you need to wait for your concrete to arrive. Ready-mixed concrete needs to be poured as soon as it arrives at the worksite. Pour your concrete in even loads.

As you are pouring it, you can distribute the concrete with a hoe. Keep the concrete relatively flat and pour it until it is slightly higher than the top of the forms.

Step Six

Once you have poured the concrete, you will need to flatten it to create a consistent, smooth surface. Begin by removing any excess concrete so that the end result is level with the planks.

Do this with a straight timber 2x4. Start at one end of the driveway and place the timber horizontally across a slab. Move it backwards and forwards in a steady sawing motion to flatten all of the concrete out. Use any of the excess concrete to fill in any shallow areas as you go along.

Then, use a concrete float to smooth out the surface. Starting at one end, place your float against a horizontal plank and use a smooth arching motion to flatten and smooth out the surface. Continue this across the driveway until the entire surface is consistently smooth.

Step Seven

You will now need to use a concrete grooving tool to cut control joints into your driveway. For a driveway that is four inches deep, you will need to cut these joints roughly four feet apart from each other, ensuring that they are evenly spaced out.

The joints should be cut to roughly one-inch-deep and should be cut along the entire width of the driveway. Contraction joints are useful in controlling the expansion and contraction of the concrete slab as it dries.

Step Eight

To allow traction for your vehicle, you will need to add a non-slip finish to your driveway. Use a thick-bristled broom for this part of the job. Simply run your broom over the driveway evenly from one side of the drive to the other.

Repeat this until your entire driveway has been run over by the broom. Be sure to stick in one consistent direction for each stroke.

Step Nine

The concrete will need to be cured for some time before it is fully ready to take on the weight of your vehicle. It should be left to cure for around 7-10 days after the concrete has been laid.

Curing can be done by creating a moisture-retaining barrier. This can include regular sprinkling, laying down wet curing blankets, or layering plastic sheeting.

Step Ten

Once you have begun curing your driveway and the concrete slab has hardened, you can now remove your wooden planks. It is important to take your time during this step as it can damage the concrete.

Remove the stakes first and then remove the wooden planks one at a time. Time your time during this step and be careful not to cause damage when removing the wood.

Step Eleven

This is an optional step. If you would like to, you can create a smooth finish to the edges of your driveway. You will need to use an edging tool for this. Start at one end of the driveway and work your way right along it.

Make sure that you keep either the front or back of the tool raised slightly so that you are not pushing the concrete down. Use a smooth motion right the way along the edge of the concrete slab to shape it.

Step Twelve

The last step is to begin using your driveway. Usually, the concrete won’t fully reach its curing strength until a minimum of 28 days after the concrete has been poured.

You should be able to safely walk across the concrete after two days; however, it is best to avoid parking on it for at least 28 days.

Is My Driveway Suitable for Concreting?

In order to lay a concrete driveway, you will need to remove whatever is on the top layer of the site. This may be grass, an old driveway, or even just dirt. Any surface is fine for concreting on, as long as you can dig out the top layer.

You will need to be able to dig down to around 10cm. If the ground you’re working with is in quite poor quality, you may need to dig a further 10cm down. You can then fill this extra space with a crushed and levelled hardcore.

Before concreting, you will need to ensure there are no weeds on the site and if there are, these will need treating with weed killer.

Benefits of a Concrete Driveway

There are several advantages of having a concrete driveway installed at your home. Below are some of the main benefits.

• Lifecycle Expense – A concrete driveway lasts a very long time. With this in mind, it is a good investment in the long-term. On average, a concrete driveway usually lasts around 25-50 years.
• Easy to Maintain – A concrete driveway requires very little maintenance. Just a simple clean every now and again is enough to keep your concrete driveway in tip-top shape.
• Very Durable – Concrete is an extremely durable surface and so will last a very long time.
• Very Strong – A concrete driveway is very strong, and this means that it will be able to withstand the heaviest of your vehicles.
• Curb Appeal – A concrete driveway, particularly a patterned driveway, can add a brand-new attractive aesthetic to your home.
• Adds Value – By adding a concrete driveway to your home, you can increase the value of your property.

Patterned Concrete Driveway Cost

Patterned concrete is a great choice for a driveway because it ticks every box. It is durable, affordable, low maintenance, and it also provides a unique and personal style to your home.

The best thing about a patterned concrete driveway is that it is entirely customisable and there are hundreds of different patterns to choose from. This includes the main pattern of the driveway and also the border and edging pattern.

There are also a huge number of different colours that you can choose from for your patterned concrete driveway.

Below is a list of what is involved in the job when installing a patterned driveway to your home:

1. Locate any existing cables and pipes.
2. Excavate the ground to the required depth as needed.
3. Install any drainage that is required.
4. Compact the lower layer to a level surface.
5. Lay a membrane to prevent weeds.
6. Add a sub-base granular material and compact it.
7. Lay reinforcements if required.
8. Pour the wet concrete down.
9. Apply colourant as desired.
10. Stamp your chosen pattern into the concrete before it dries.
11. Add adequate crack prevention gaps.
12. Once the surface is dry, it should then be cleaned and sealed with a translucent sealer.

Depending on the colour and pattern that you choose to have installed, you would be looking to pay around £27-£32 per m² (excluding labour).

Pressed Concrete Cost

A pressed concrete driveway involves pressing a unique pattern into the concrete while it is still wet. There are unlimited options when it comes to pressed concrete. Not only are the patterns unlimited, but you can also have coloured concrete to make it completely unique.

Pressed concrete is different from a simple flat concrete as it involves creating a unique pattern for your driveway. Many contracting companies will offer a variety of different patterns and colours for you to choose from.

A pressed concrete driveway comes in more expensive at around £27-£32 per m² (excluding labour) than a simple flat concrete driveway which comes in at around £18-£25 per m² (excluding labour).

Alternatives to a Concrete Driveway

There are many different styles of driveway. Below is a list of alternative driveway options if you are looking for something other than concrete.

Brick Block Paving Driveway Cost

A block paving driveway block paving driveway is a favourite among British homeowners. Bricks come in a variety of colours and can even be customised to reflect your own unique personality and style. A brick driveway usually costs around £60-£120 per m² (including installation costs).

Pros

• ✔ Bricks come in a variety of colours and styles
• ✔ Driveway can be made unique to your style
• ✔ Offers a positive aesthetic

Cons

• ✖ Can be quite expensive

Tarmac Driveway Cost

Tarmac driveways are another popular choice due to being very easy to install. This does mean that the installation costs fall a lot less than other styles of driveway. Tarmac only comes in a black colour so unfortunately there isn’t really room for any customisation when it comes to this style of driveway. An Tarmac driveway usually costs around £40-£70 per m² (including installation costs).

Pros

• ✔ Cheap to install
• ✔ Easy to install

Cons

• ✖ Only comes in one colour
• ✖ Not customisable

Gravel Driveway Cost

A gravel driveway is a relatively well-priced option due to gravel being readily available. It comes in a variety of different colours so you can choose a driveway that perfectly suits the theme of your home. A gravel driveway usually costs around £20-£60 per m² (including installation costs).

Pros

• ✔ Good price in comparison to other driveway styles
• ✔ Comes in a variety of colours
• ✔ Relatively easy to install

Cons

• ✖ Gravel stones can shift a lot over time

Crushed Stone Driveway Cost

A crushed stone driveway is similar to a gravel driveway; however, it can provide a smoother surface. It does also come in a variety of colour options so you can get the desired effect for your home. A crushed stone driveway usually costs around £30-£70 per m² (including installation costs).

Pros

• ✔ Provides a smooth surface
• ✔ Comes in a variety of colours
• ✔ Relatively easy to install

Cons

• ✖ Stones can shift a lot over time

Basalt Driveway Cost

Basalt offers a unique driveway look, and it also benefits from being very low maintenance. However, it is very difficult to install and will require a specialist contractor to ensure that it turns outright. A basalt driveway usually costs around £80-£120 per m² (including installation costs).

Pros

• ✔ Beautiful aesthetic
• ✔ Easy to maintain

Cons

• ✖ Difficult to install
• ✖ Requires a specialist installation team
• ✖ Quite expensive

Cobblestone Driveway Cost

A cobblestone driveway is a timeless design that comes with a wide range of different design choices. It is incredibly durable and requires very little maintenance. However, it is very difficult to install and will require a specialist to ensure that the job is done right. A brick driveway usually costs around £70-£130 per m² (including installation costs).

Pros

• ✔ Great timeless look
• ✔ Comes in a variety of styles
• ✔ It is incredibly durable

Cons

• ✖ Requires a specialist installation team
• ✖ Quite expensive

Building Regulations Concrete Driveways

Usually, you don’t need to worry about any building regulations when it comes to installing a concrete driveway. Therefore, you are not required to apply for building regulations approval before you start performing work on your home driveway.

However, there are some specific rules that apply if you are looking to alter your driveway. The regulations state that any changes you make to your driveway should not have an adverse effect on the ability to access the house that it is connected to.

This means that any alterations to your driveway should make accessing the building better or leave it at the same standard that it was before the work was carried out. You also need to ensure that your driveway has adequate drainage.

If you live in a listed building, you should apply for listed building consent ahead of any work taking place. You may also need to undergo extra planning regulations preparation if your property is in a national park, a conservation area, or in a world heritage site.

If your home falls under one of these categories, contact your local authority for more information on whether you need any form of consent to install your new driveway.

Cleaning and Maintaining a Concrete Driveway

A concrete driveway doesn’t require a vast amount of maintenance. However, to preserve the appearance of your concrete driveway and for it to last as long as possible, there are a few things that you can do.

Below is a list of tips on how to maintain your new concrete driveway.

• Clean and reapply any concrete driveway sealer as necessary – One of the best measures in maintaining your concrete driveway is cleaning it and keeping it sealed. You should aim to reseal your concrete driveway roughly every two years. Good sealers are available from most DIY stores and cost around £50-£100 per 20ltr pot.
• Remove stains immediately – A sealer will protect your driveway from absorbing stains; however, it is still a good idea to remove them as soon as possible. If the concrete does discolour from a spillage, a pressure washer will remove most stains. You can purchase a pressure washer at most home goods stores, and they cost on average £80-£200.
• Treat your driveway with care – Concrete is one of the most durable paving materials for a driveway; however, a typical concrete driveway isn’t built to withstand very heavy weight. This can include large vans and construction equipment. With this in mind, avoid driving or parking any heavy vehicles on your driveway. You should also take care not to scratch the surface of your driveway with

Can I Concrete a Driveway Myself?

Laying a concrete driveway is a job that an experienced DIY enthusiast can undertake, however it does take a lot of work, and this shouldn’t be underestimated. With this in mind, we do recommend hiring a professional contractor or company to carry out the work.

A professional company will have the benefit of being experienced in laying concrete drives. They will also be able to complete the job in a timely manner and will have access to all of the tools and materials needed to complete the job.

Cost of Removing a Concrete Driveway

You may want to remove a concrete driveway to make way for a new driveway or to build a garden instead.

Breaking up a concrete driveway is not an easy task and will take a lot of work. With this in mind, it is highly recommended that a professional contractor or company is hired to complete the job.

To break up a concrete slab, you will need a heavy-duty tool such as a jackhammer or a demolition hammer. These can be purchased from a DIY store or online and cost around £150-£1,000+ depending on the strength of the tool.

You will also need to ha a shovel on hand so that you can remove all of the waste materials. You would most likely need to hire a skip for the waste removal. A one-week skip hire will cost you around £200 to £250.

If you are looking to hire a professional to remove your concrete driveway, you would be looking to pay around £500-£1,500 depending on the size of your driveway and the job can usually be completed within 1-2 days.

This price includes the cost of labour as well as all of the materials needed to complete the job.

Hiring a Concrete Driveway Tradesperson Checklist

There are a number of things to consider when hiring a tradesperson to install a concrete driveway for you.

• Is the tradesperson experienced in building concrete driveways?
• Does the tradesperson have any previous testimonials for their work?
• What materials does the tradesperson use?
• Be sure to check all the details of your quote to ensure you’re getting a good price for each element of the job.
• Gather at least three separate quotes so that you can ensure you are getting a good price for the overall job.
• Discuss what patterns and colours are available from the tradesperson.

FAQs

Sources

https://www.propertyroad.co.uk/what-is-the-best-driveway-surface-for-the-uk
https://www.totalconcrete.co.uk/news/how-to-lay-a-concrete-driveway
http://www.drivewayexpert.co.uk/laying-concrete-drive-patio.html
https://www.thespruce.com/pros-and-cons-to-concrete-driveway-1398076
https://www.driveways-uk.co.uk/everything-you-need-to-know-about-building-regulations-and-your-driveway