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myGravel Driveway Cost
At a Glance
- The average cost of installing a gravel driveway is around £3,000.
- The job will usually take 2 days to complete.
- NEW! Check out our gravel driveway cost calculator to find out how much a gravel driveway costs.
- A breakdown of pricing information, including what to consider before starting, as well as what's involved in such a task.
- How long the job will take, and a general overview of what types of jobs can be performed.
- How to find and hire a driveway installer.
Trying to find out how much a gravel driveway costs?
This complete cost guide covers everything you need to know about gravel drive prices, including the cost of gravel, how much driveway gravel you need per m², and installation costs.
You can expect to pay around £3,000 on average for new gravel driveway.
Just need a quote?
We have a variety of local driveway installers we can connect you with so you can get a driveway installation quote that's quick and easy!
Read on to find out more!
Gravel Driveway Cost Calculator
£3000
Table of Contents
How Much Does a Gravel Driveway Cost?
Gravel driveways give a rustic, natural look to any home, and the cost-effective benefits of the installation make them a popular choice for UK homeowners.
Typically, laying a gravel driveway will cost around £3,000. This is based on an average-sized driveway using mid-range materials.
Installing a gravel driveway is not a particularly difficult task for more experienced DIY enthusiasts, and it could prove the most cost-effective if you were to tackle this on your own, as you will only be paying for the materials and not any labour costs.
Doing it yourself means the task will take you longer to complete than it would be if you hired a tradesman - around 2 days. If you could arrange for all the materials and tools to be delivered and ready before you start work, then it is possible to do this over the course of a weekend.
However, the trouble is misjudging how much base layer and gravel you need to cover the area and depth appropriately.
Our view is to probably leave this one to a trained specialist, as you will need someone to excavate, remove and replace the existing base layer, as well as adding materials such as weed-blocking membrane.
What types of gravel can I use on a driveway?
"Any gravel works as long as the hard standing and drainage is adequate. A permeable resin drive is an excellent choice."
Gravel Driveway Prices
| Job Description | Duration | Material Cost | Labour Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replace gravel only (40m²) | 1 Day | £1,000 | £400 |
| Small (20m²) | 1 – 2 Days | £1,400 | £600 |
| Medium (40m²) | 2 Days | £2,200 | £700 |
| Large (80m²) | 2 – 3 Days | £3,600 | £900 |
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Things to Consider When Installing a Gravel Driveway
Installing a gravel driveway may seem like a simple task, but there are several aspects to consider before undergoing this task, whether you’re hiring a tradesman or doing it yourself.
DIY or Professional?
The first thing to consider is whether you are confident enough in your DIY skills to do it yourself, or if you should seek a specialist tradesman.
We recommend consulting a tradesman and assessing your options. However, if you want to be assured the job is done properly, hiring a licensed specialist would be best.
Evaluate Project Costs
Before undertaking your project, it is a good idea to go over the project's costs first. This would mean doing your research and weighing up the costs of the materials, equipment, and disposal costs, especially if it’s cheaper to do it yourself, as well as the costs of labour.
My drive is on a slope. How do I keep the gravel in place and not washed down when it rains?
"You would be better off using the hard plastic grids - also, put a concrete flat top edging across the bottom of your driveway, then put a slightly larger stone in, spread evenly, and then add a smaller stone."
Weighing up the costs of the gravel and other materials is essential, as you want to ensure you are getting quality but still within a budget. The cost of disposal is also important, as this will depend on the original material used and the amount, as well as the size of the area being excavated.
Identify Underground Utilities
Also, before any excavation is done, you will need to identify any buried services such as gas or water. If you are unsure about this, then you should contact a specialist. Most of the time, excavation must be done before installing a gravel driveway, so this is an unavoidable step, but it will save you from any possible damage costs.
Research Your Driveway Specialist
Before hiring a tradesman, it is important to know their credentials. Do they know how to locate buried services? Are they knowledgeable about the sub-base layer and what material to use? Can they identify any issues with drainage and rainwater? These are just a few questions to consider.
It is essential you are happy and satisfied with your hired tradesman and the job they are doing.
Is a Gravel Driveway a Good Choice?
A gravel driveway is a favourite among many homeowners as it can add rustic charm to a property, and is fairly easy to maintain once installed. If you've previously had a tarmac or concrete driveway cracking or showing signs of wear, a gravel driveway is a simple solution if you don't want to worry too much about maintenance or wear over time.
When comparing a gravel driveway against the cost of a concrete driveway there's a difference of around £1,000 depending on the exact size of your drive.
While the cost of a tarmac driveway is less than gravel installation, tarmac can develop potholes over time, and will need re-sealing every 3 to 5 years, bumping up your maintenance costs.
Replacing a cracked or worn-out concrete or tarmac drive is much more costly than maintaining and replacing a gravel driveway, saving you money in the long run.
Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of gravel driveways:
Pros
- ✔ Easy to maintain
- ✔ Cost-effective to install with minimal ongoing maintenance costs
- ✔ Simple to install with minimal downtime
Cons
- ✖ Misjudging the depth of the sub-base can lead the driveway to sink (a problem most common in DIY gravel driveways)
- ✖ Weeds can grow through the gravel driveway, requiring attention
- ✖ Requires regular raking and topping up of stones to maintain the appearance
What can you do to prevent weeds from growing through a gravel surface in a driveway?
"Installing a membrane would help, and re-gravel, it would make a big difference."
Gravel Driveway Building Regulations and Planning Permission
Do you need planning permission for a gravel driveway?
The answer to this depends on the driveway material, the drainage systems in place, and the size of your driveway.
Planning permission isn't needed if:
- You plan to use permeable materials for your driveway (gravel, permeable concrete, etc.), allowing water to drain naturally into the ground.
- You have, or will, incorporate a SuDS (sustainable drainage system) into your driveway (such as a soakaway).
- The total driveway area is under 5 square metres.
Planning permission is needed if:
- You're using non-permeable materials for your driveway (tarmac, concrete, etc.) with no drainage system, totalling 5 square metres or more in area.
- You're planning on altering kerbs or footpaths.
If you're unsure, it's best to speak to a professional who will be able to advise you.
Doing it Yourself
Laying a gravel driveway can be tricky and time-consuming for any budding DIY enthusiast, so we recommend getting quotes from tradesmen and assessing your options before taking on this task.
A gravel driveway will take a professional around 2 days to complete. However, if you are confident enough and have the time to spare, here are the steps you'll need to take to install a new gravel driveway:
1. Preparation
First of all, before carrying out excavation, you need to ensure you are not digging up any buried services such as gas or water.
This is where you'll need to hire a professional to locate these services.
2. Excavation
Once any underground utilities have been mapped, safe excavation can begin. Any existing materials, such as topsoil, concrete, or slabs, must be removed. It is important to excavate soft areas as these will not bear the weight of parked vehicles.
The excavation depth depends on the earth's materials and your area, which is usually 150mm to 200mm.
3. Lay Weed-Proof Membrane and Sub-Base
After excavation, you must add a layer of weed-proof membrane. This will stop any weeds from coming through your gravel and allow drainage and rainwater to run through. You will then need to add your sub-base layer of hardcore material.
The most common sub-base material is MOT type 1, as it consists of various sizes of crushed rock, which is important to become compact whilst remaining permeable.
I want to install a grid base for my gravel driveway. What brands are easy to install and durable enough for general domestic use?
"All of the honeycomb grids are pretty much the same, and are very good to help prevent gravel from moving."
4. Compact the Sub-Base
You will then need to compact the sub-base using either a compactor or a roller. Both of these are expensive purchases, but are reasonable for hiring for a day or two.
5. Lay the Gravel
After compacting your sub-base, the easiest part is laying your gravel onto your driveway. Just ensure you have enough gravel to cover the entire surface of your drive.
You should be careful not to lay the gravel too deep. A maximum of 50mm is all you should need.
If you need more depth, you need more sub-base. Make sure to buy gravel that is around 20mm in size, as any smaller will get stuck in the treads of car tyres.
Even if you are not up to the task of doing it yourself, you can always prepare and save yourself some costs by sourcing and purchasing the materials before hiring your tradesman.
What are the pros and cons of resin-bonded gravel? Should I use it, or would you recommend against it? Is it particularly dear?
"It's the most expensive finish you can have, but it's true to the saying you get what you pay for! Maintenance-free and lasts."
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Checklist: Hiring a Gravel Driveway Specialist
When the time comes to hire a gravel driveway specialist, it's important you make the right decision about who to hire. Here's what you should keep in mind:
- Gather at least 3 quotes from different driveway experts to compare pricing to ensure you get a fair deal.
- Look at the traders' online profiles, reading customer reviews and looking at photographs/videos of their past work to get an idea of their quality.
- Get an itemised quote so there are no hidden costs, being sure to ask if waste removal and skip hire are included in the fee.
- Be sure to ask if they're able to locate underground services such as gas and water before they begin excavation.
- Ask about drainage systems and rainwater management, and what will be put in place to manage these.
- Remember to enquire about the layer of sub-base they're planning to use, and if the material is suitable. The most common is MOT type 1.
FAQs
Do I need planning permission for a gravel driveway?
In most cases, you do not need planning permission for your driveway, as gravel is a permeable material that allows drainage. However, any non-permeable materials being used over 5 square metres will need planning permission.
Will I need to excavate my driveway?
Yes, this will need to be done when installing any new driveway, as the top layer will need to be replaced anyway. It is important to lay a strong sub-base beneath the driveway.
Can I install a gravel driveway myself?
If you are confident in your DIY skills, you could. However, it is not an easy task, as heavy labour is involved, such as excavating and laying the sub-base. It may also take you longer to complete than a tradesman, leaving you without a driveway for some time.
Why should I get a gravel driveway?
A gravel driveway is easy to maintain and is a simple long-term solution if you do not wish to keep repairing solid driveways such as concrete or tarmac, as these materials tend to crack and wear out over time. This will save you unnecessary costs in the long run.
How can I maintain my gravel driveway?
There isn't much needed to maintain a gravel driveway, as they are fairly low maintenance and won't wear out quickly over time. However, you'll need to remove any weeds that break through the gravel and replace any stones that have been lost.
How much gravel will I need?
Getting this wrong can slow down the progress of installing a gravel driveway. Ideally, your driveway specialist should be able to tell you. However, if you want to purchase the material yourself beforehand, there is a general rule of thumb: a tonne will cover around 25 square metres, which should be enough for most small driveways.
