Driveway Resurfacing Cost

If your driveway doesn’t need to be replaced, but it is damaged and looking tired, then the solution could be a driveway resurface.

It’s cheaper than having the whole driveway replaced, and it will fix any problems with surface damage and improve the driveway’s appearance.

In the UK, the average cost to resurface a driveway is between £3,900 and £4,650. This option is open to you if there are issues with the foundations or the structure of the driveway. If this is the case, then you may need a driveway replacement.

Signs you need your driveway resurfacing

• Shallow surface cracks
• Worn patches
• Stains
• Fading or discolouration
• Small holes

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How Much is Driveway Resurfacing?

There are several factors that influence the cost of resurfacing a driveway in the UK. These include the size and existing condition of the driveway and the materials used. For example, a tarmac drive is a good choice if you are on a budget and want an affordable option. Concrete and resin-bound driveways cost more.

Resurfacing is cheaper than replacing a driveway because you don’t have the costs of excavation and laying foundations.

A small driveway will use fewer materials than a larger driveway and take less time. Therefore, costs for a small driveway will be cheaper than for a medium or large surface. Labour costs could increase if you have a complex layout or you want decorative finishes.

Location will also play a part in the overall cost of a driveway resurfacing project. Prices are typically higher in London and the South East of England than in other parts of the UK.

Driveway Resurfacing Prices

Below are some typical average prices of driveway resurfacing projects in the UK

Typical Average Cost of Driveway Resurfacing Per M2, including labour

Average Costs of Preparation/Finishes

Average Prices (including labour) According to Material Used

Supply Costs

Supply costs can make up a sizeable proportion of a driveway resurfacing job, depending on the material you use.

Tarmac

The tarmac used on residential driveways is usually hot-mix tarmac. You can expect to pay between £6 and £8 per m2, although tarmac is often sold by the tonne. One tonne covers 8m2 at a cost of between £48 and £64.

Asphalt

Asphalt is the cheapest material to use for resurfacing a driveway. Asphalt costs are between £8 and £12 per m2

Concrete

Decorative concrete is a popular choice for householders looking to resurface their driveways. The cost of decorative concrete, on average, is between £60 and £90 per m2.

Resin-Bound

Resin is popular because it is a porous material, and so it doesn’t require any other drainage installation.

The supply cost of resin is between £50 and £85 per m2.

Primer, Colour and Sealant

Other supply costs include a bonding primer, colour pigment and protective sealer. Adding colour can add around £10 per m2 to the cost of resurfacing. Sealers cost between £5 and £7 per litre.

The average price to cover a 60m2 driveway in sealer will be between £50 and £70. The cost of primer is, on average, between £4 and £7 per litre. Priming a 60m2 driveway will cost between £40 and £70.

Additional Costs

If you decide to have your driveway resurfaced, there might also be additional costs to consider, which you may need to add to your budget. These additional costs can include:

Surface Cleaning

Before a new surface is laid on a driveway, the old surface must be clean. A good clean will remove any dirt, dust or oil stains. A new surface will adhere much better to an old surface if it has been thoroughly cleaned first. This job might be included in your quote for driveway resurfacing. If it isn’t, then you should expect to pay between £100 and £350, depending on the size of the driveway.

Weed or Moss Removal

Weed or moss removal is often carried out before cleaning and is included in a cleaning quote. It adds on average between £2 and £4 per m2 to the cost of cleaning. If, for example, you have a small 30m2 driveway, cleaning could cost between £100 and £160. Adding on weed or moss removal would increase the cost to between £160 and £280.

Crack Repairs

As the driveway surface needs to be smooth before any new material is put down, repairing any holes or cracks is necessary. The cost will depend on the number and depth of the cracks, but on average, charges are between £150 and £500.

Levelling

If your driveway is on a slope and you want to level the ground before resurfacing, this will add between £300 and £2,250 to the total cost.

Drainage Improvements

Sometimes resurfacing one type of material with another type will require extra work. For example, if you lay resin over a tarmac or concrete base, you will also have to add drainage to make the surface permeable and SuDS compliant.

You may need to install a drainage system to prevent water from pooling on the surface of your driveway. Installation on average could cost between £660 and £1,200.

Edging Replacement

Edgings define the border between the driveway and the rest of your garden. It will also reduce weeds, and it improves the driveway’s appearance. If your current edging is damaged or crumbling, replacing it will cost between £20 and £60 per linear metre.

Sealant Application

Most types of resurfaced driveways will benefit from a sealant application because it reduces weed growth and colour fading, as well as providing protection from spills and stains. Depending on the size of your driveway, sealing with add-on costs, on average, costs between £200 and £400 to the total cost of resurfacing your driveway.

Skip Hire

Resurfacing a driveway might mean you have waste to remove. Hiring a skip will cost between £60 and £300, depending on the amount of waste you have. Small 2–3-yard skips usually hold around 30+ bin bags. A 6-yard skip will hold 60+ bin bags.

Waste Removal

If you don’t want to hire a skip and you also have other garden waste to get rid of, then you may want to use a garden clearance service. Costs vary, but on average you will pay between £70 and £275 to remove between 20 and 60 bin bags.

Access Issues

When machinery or materials are difficult to get onto the driveway, it could lead to extra labour costs. This is because materials may need to be transported manually instead of using machinery, which increases the timescale of the job. An additional four hours’ work, for example, could cost between £150 and £200.

How Much Do Driveway Resurfacing Services Cost in Labour?

Driveway resurfacing specialists charge around £150 to £200 a day. But they usually work in pairs, so you should expect to pay between £300 and £400 a day for labour.

However, you might find that driveway resurfacing specialists charge a fixed fee based on the size of the driveway, the material, and the complexity of the work.

A fixed fee is a more transparent way of pricing, as you know in advance exactly how much you will need to pay for your driveway to be resurfaced. Fixed fee jobs will have labour charges built in.

Labour costs are a significant part of the total cost of a driveway resurfacing project. Straightforward resurfacing jobs will take less time and will therefore be cheaper.

Driveways that need repairing beforehand will cost more because you will need to add on the additional cost of materials and labour.

Edging, levelling, and a final application of sealant are also other factors that will affect the overall price, as these extras also increase the amount of time spent on labour.

The amount of time a driveway resurfacing job takes will also be affected by:

• The size of the driveway
• Materials used
• The preparation beforehand
• Curing time
• The weather
• Decorative finishes

How Long Will Driveway Resurfacing Take?

It’s difficult to give an exact figure because there are so many factors affecting the timescale. But average ballpark figures to lay a resurfaced driveway are:

Driveways smaller than 30m2 can often be resurfaced in 1 to 2 days, depending on weather conditions and the surface of the original driveway.

Cost Factors for Driveway Resurfacing

The factor that has the most effect on cost is the condition of the driveway’s sub-base. If the sub-base has failed and the foundation of the driveway isn’t stable, then resurfacing alone won’t be possible.

It will be necessary to fix any problems affecting the foundations before any resurfacing work can be carried out. In some cases, the driveway will need to be replaced rather than resurfaced.

Costs to fit a 30m2 driveway replacement are on average between £1,300 and £3,200, plus the extra costs of removing the old driveway, which could cost between £300 and £600.

Other factors include:

The Size of the Driveway

Labour and material costs are factors that influence a driveway resurfacing quote, and the size of the driveway makes a difference to the amount of material used and the time it takes to complete the work.

The Existing Surface Type

It may be cheaper to resurface an asphalt or tarmac drive than decorative concrete because of the extra work involved.

The Condition of the Current Driveway

If the driveway has cracks or holes, it will need to be repaired before it can be resurfaced. The repairs will be an additional cost. For example, repairing cracks in tarmac or concrete can cost between £150 and £500.

The depth of repair needed.

Cosmetic repairs are simpler and quicker to do than deep repairs, which might need cutting out and rebuilding, which will cost more.

The Material Chosen

The material you choose will also affect the cost. Tarmac and asphalt are cheap options at between £20 and £35 per m2. Resin and decorative concrete are more expensive and cost on average, between £30 and £70 per m2.

Ease of Access

When a contractor has difficulty accessing a driveway, the process will slow down, and this will lead to increased labour costs.

Drainage requirements

Building regulations must be complied with regarding drainage. If this means installing a new system, you will need to add the extra costs of this work to your budget.

Location in the UK

Prices vary across the country. But you can expect to pay more if you live in London or the South East, where costs are higher than in other parts of the UK.

Waste Disposal Needs

If any of your driveway material is removed, it will cost an additional amount to have the waste removed and disposed of either by the resurfacing contractors or if you hire a skip. A mini skip hire on average costs between £60 and £130 for the week.

Edging, Sealing, or Finishing

If you want a colour added to your surface, or the addition of edging or sealing, then you could be looking at between £20 to £60 for edging, £10 per m2 for colour and between £200 and £400 for sealing.

Building Regulations Related to Driveway Resurfacing

Most driveway resurfacing projects don’t need planning permission if the material you use is porous or permeable, or if the water is directed to a border or lawn so that it can drain naturally.

But if the material you use is non-porous or permeable and is over 5m2, you will need planning permission. You may also need to obtain planning permission if the resurfacing project includes other work, such as a dropped kerb.

Building control regulations, however, apply to safety and drainage. A reputable driveway resurfacing specialist will be acquainted with the regulations, and their work will comply with them.

Types of Driveway Resurfacing

Tarmac

Tarmac is a cost-effective material. It is long-lasting and durable. It can also be coloured to make it more attractive.

Pros

• ✔ Fast and easy installation
• ✔ Good weather resistance

Cons

• ✖ Susceptible to weed growth
• ✖ Can crack over time from petrol, oil or diesel spills

Asphalt

Like tarmac, asphalt is cheaper than concrete or stone. It is durable and will normally last longer than tarmac. Asphalt is made from aggregates and bitumen, which gives it a smooth finish.

Pros

• ✔ Affordable
• ✔ Quick to install

Cons

• ✖ Shorter lifespan than concrete or resin
• ✖ May be prone to cracking in cold weather

Concrete

Concrete isn’t the cheapest choice, but it is often chosen because you can apply a decorative concrete finish to make it look more attractive.

Pros

• ✔ Durable and long-lasting
• ✔ Can be customised

Cons

• ✖ Doesn’t stand up so well to cold weather conditions
• ✖ More expensive than tarmac or asphalt

Resin-Bound

Resin-Bound

Pros

• ✔ Long-lasting if well-maintained
• ✔ Attractive aesthetic

Cons

• ✖ More expensive than some other materials
• ✖ Needs to be UV-resistant to avoid colour fade

Alternative Types of Driveway Resurfacing

There are other alternatives to resurfacing. Other options may be better solutions or more cost-effective:

Full Driveway Replacement

If your driveway is badly damaged or the base has failed, then you might be advised to replace the driveway, as a resurface will not be a permanent solution to the problem.

Driveway replacement cost: A driveway replacement cost is significantly higher than a resurfacing project, but you will have the benefit of a new, stable base and a completely new surface. Costs vary, but on average you can expect to pay between £43 and £122 per m2, depending on the material you choose.

Gravel

If you are on a budget, then a gravel drive might be a better alternative. It does need more maintenance to keep it tidy and free from weeds, but if it is topped up from time to time, it can be a long-lasting alternative. Gravel costs between £42 and £70 per m2 installed.

Imprinted Concrete

Imprinted concrete is more expensive than a plain finish, but if you want something that’s available in a wide choice of colours and patterns, then this will give you an attractive, decorative finish. You can pay between £103 and £133 per m2 installed.

Block Paving

Block paving is more expensive than most other driveway materials, but it is much easier to repair if it gets damaged. Individual blocks can be removed and replaced, which is much more cost-effective than a full resurface.

It’s also available in a wide range of designs, which makes it a very attractive option. You can expect to pay between £75 and £125 per m2 installed.

Patch Repairs

If you have a solid base but your driveway has just a few sections that are cracked or have small holes, patch repairing might be easier and cheaper than a full driveway resurface. Expect to pay between £15 and £35 per linear metre.

Hiring Contractors Checklist for Driveway Resurfacing

It’s a good idea to create a checklist before you hire a driveway contractor. It’s a good idea to include questions to help you find out more about the person or company and the way they work. Your questions could include:

• How much experience do you have working with the driveway surface I want to use?
• Have you got any photographs of recent work you’ve completed?
• Do you have feedback from previous customers?
• Is your work guaranteed?
• Does your quote include waste removal?
• Will you address any drainage issues and include them in your quote?
• Do you have Public Liability Insurance?
• When can you start the project?
• How long do you estimate it will take you to complete?

We recommend you get at least 3 quotes so that you can compare prices and services. Only accept quotes in writing (this can include email) and check that it includes a full breakdown of materials and costs.

Removing Driveway Resurfacing

If your driveway is in very bad condition or you are changing the surface, you may be advised to remove the old driveway. The removal of an old driveway will take around 1-3 days, depending on the material type and the size of the driveway.

Very often, a quote for driveway removal will be on a fixed-fee basis. Average costs for removal are between £40 and £50 per m2. For example, removing a 30m2 concrete driveway will cost between £1,200 and £1,500. Skip hire will normally be included, but if not, then you will have an additional cost of around £200.

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