Concrete Driveway Costs

How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost?

Concrete driveways are most commonly seen in residential settings. They can provide safe off-road parking for homeowners, and their low maintenance requirements make them a favoured option for those looking for a low-effort, high-return parking solution.

These costs can vary based on factors such as:

• The size of the driveway - the bigger the area, the higher the cost (and vice versa).
• The type of concrete and thickness - the thicker the concrete layer, the higher the cost due to the increase in required materials.
• Customisations (e.g., colours, patterns) - coloured concrete driveways will be more expensive than those in “standard” colourways, and intricate patterns, such as those seen in pressed concrete designs, will also command higher prices than the more basic styles.
• The current state of the driveway - if you need an old driveway removed or extensive levelling or grading work to create a flat surface, this will increase your project’s fee (and timeframe).
• Geographical location - where you are based has an impact on your project’s cost, with higher prices seen in the southeast and London in particular due to increased demand, while those in the north will typically see lower-than-average costs.

Concrete Driveway Installation Prices

Now that we’re aware of some of the variables influencing the prices, let’s take a closer look at the costs associated with concrete driveway installation:

While the prices have been split into supply and labour costs, we can first consider the concrete driveway cost per m². For standard grey concrete, this is around £50 per m², while the cost of pattern-imprinted concrete is £87.50 per m².

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, choosing standard colours is the best option–but if you want more of a flourish, you can express yourself with patterns and bespoke colours.

A standard grey concrete driveway of 2.5m x 2.5m has a total estimated cost of £530 to £730, while the same materials in a larger size of 6m x 3.5m can command a total cost of between £3,400 and £3,600.

Opting for a patterned concrete or imprinted design will cost you more due to the extra labour needed to achieve the finish. A 40m² driveway with reinforced concrete can cost between £3,700 and £3,900, while a large 100m² driveway can command fees of £7,800 to £8,000.

Generally speaking, the larger the driveway and the more intricate the design, the higher the cost.

Additional Costs

Having a new driveway installed is one of those projects with an almost endless list of additional extras–let’s take a look at some of them so you know what might be added to your project’s bill:

• Removing an Existing Driveway

If you need to have an old, existing driveway dug up and removed before starting on your new concrete driveway installation, you’ll need to factor in extra labour and time for this work.

Concrete removal costs around £50 per m², meaning the cost of removing an average-sized driveway can be anywhere from £1,500 to £2,500.

• Skip Hire
  

If skip hire isn’t included in your contractor’s fees, you will need to add an additional £200 for that. It’s always best to check with your contractor to find out if they’re arranging for this service or if it’s something you need to do–it’s not something you want to miss as it can lead to delays.

• Preparing the Base and Grading

Once the old driveway has been removed, you will need to prepare your base. This will ensure the area is free of greenery or other leftover building materials, such as large rocks or chunks of concrete. Waste removal companies can charge between £200 and £350 depending on the volume.

If your driveway is sloped, it must be graded before your concrete driveway is laid, which unfortunately comes at an added cost. Grading will determine how your driveway will slope to allow for proper drainage and help prevent water pooling, making it an important step that can’t be missed.

• Long-term Maintenance and Installation Considerations

Thankfully, concrete driveways require little maintenance if they are installed correctly. However, you must be mindful of concreting over any utilities–such as gas or water–as if you need to access those areas to do any maintenance, you will need to break the concrete layer to get to them, and the repair will cost you.

To keep the concrete driveway in the best condition possible, it’s recommended that you reseal it every few years to keep the surface in good shape, using an acrylic-based sealant. You can also consider having your driveway cleaned periodically, which can cost anywhere from £200 to £400, depending on your drive’s size.

• Seasonal Factors Affecting Installation Costs

While we can’t control the weather, pouring concrete isn’t recommended in wet conditions as it can interfere with the ratio. This means that concrete driveway installation costs are typically higher in the drier seasons–such as summer and autumn–which can mean your budget may need to be increased if it’s a particularly rainy year with little dry respite.

Labour Costs and Time Frames

Labour fees are likely to be between £40 and £50 per m² for installing a concrete driveway–equivalent to £220 to £450 per day of labour–but the price will increase based on the job’s complexity. This means that imprinted concrete driveway costs are higher than those associated with standard grey concrete driveways.

The driveway’s complexity is second only to the site's current state. If you have a hugely uneven space that requires extensive levelling and grading work or an extremely overgrown area that needs clearing before any work can start, these factors will increase both your labour costs and your estimated time frames.

If you are looking to trim down your costs, it’s best to try to get as much of the clearance work out of the way as possible before your contractors arrive to save yourself from paying labour fees for something you might be able to carry out yourself.

A small concrete driveway of 2.5m x 2.5m can take just one or two days to complete, while a larger area of 6m x 3.5m can take up to five days. If you are looking at patterned concrete and are considering a large area of 100m², be prepared for this to take upwards of a week to complete (plus setting time).

1. Existing Driveway Removal and Ground Clearance
   
   Your existing driveway will need to be removed before any work can start on your concrete driveway installation. Your contractor will then clear the ground, removing any rubble or debris, ready for levelling. Grading will happen at this stage, if required, to ensure proper drainage.
   
   
2. Laying the Perimeter and Boundary
   
   With the ground cleared and levelled, your contractor will now mark out the driveway’s layout with wooden stakes. Wooden planks will be inserted around the edges to act as a temporary “hold” for the concrete once it has been poured, helping to keep it in place while it cures.
   
   
3. Sub-base Preparations and Reinforcements
   
   Your contractor will now dig out the topsoil and level the sub-base, ensuring a level foundation is created before moving on. If it’s necessary, your contractor may choose to reinforce the driveway–this is especially important if you have a high-traffic area or have a large driveway with multiple cars as the load will be increased. The contractor will use a metal grid structure for this.
   
   
4. Pour and Flatten the Concrete
   
   The next step is to pour the concrete. If it’s ready-mixed, it must be poured as soon as it arrives at your property. The concrete should be distributed evenly and then flattened down to ensure the surface is smooth. Your contractor will use a piece of 2x4 timber, using a sawing motion to flatten the concrete until all the excess has been removed. They will then use a concrete float to smooth everything down.
   
   
5. Add Design Features
   
   At this stage, your contractor will start to add in any required designs or patterns.
   
   
6. Add Non-Slip Finish
   
   Your contractor will then add a non-slip finish to the surface to increase the traction.
   
   
7. Curing Time
   
   The curing time is potentially the most important stage of the installation process. It varies depending on the size, depth, and type of concrete, but it can last anywhere from 7 to 10 days.
   
   
8. Removal of Boundary Planks
   
   Once cured, your contractor can remove the boundary planks and stakes. At this stage, additional edging tools can be used to create a smooth finish.
   
   
9. Enjoy Your New Driveway!
   
   While the concrete won’t reach “full” strength until a full month after pouring, you are free to then use your new concrete driveway once your contractor gives you the go-ahead.
   
   

DIY Concrete Driveway Installation

While it is possible to lay a concrete driveway yourself if you are experienced, it is typically recommended that you hire a professional contractor to carry out the work for you to ensure it is completed correctly and efficiently.

Hiring a professional company will ensure that the work is carried out in a time-effective way while adhering to any known conventions and regulations. This route will also save you from having to hire or buy the necessary tools and equipment to concrete a driveway yourself.

Installing a concrete driveway incorrectly can lead to expensive repairs. If the ground isn’t levelled or graded properly beforehand, or if the base hasn’t been properly prepared, the materials can fail and inevitably lead you to require the assistance of a professional contractor to re-do the work for you, ending up with you effectively having the job done twice.

Due to the complexity of the job and the skill required, we advise that you hire a professional when looking to have a concrete driveway installed.

Compliance and Regulations

If you’re hiring a skip to dispose of your old driveway before having a new concrete driveway installed, you’ll need to make sure the skip is suitable for the type of waste you’ll be producing. Failure to comply with waste regulations can result in costly fines.

Skips placed on the roadside will need permits. These charges differ depending on your county but can range from £25 to £35 for one week, with a typically lower charge for subsequent weeks.

Building regulations can vary based on your location, so it’s best to check on a case-by-case basis before getting started on any work if you are planning on making a significant change to your home’s exterior. If you know for a fact that you live in a conservation area or have a listed property, it’s likely that you won’t be able to have a concrete driveway poured if it isn’t in keeping with the overall area.

The Planning Portal advises that if you are replacing a concrete driveway with a like-for-like copy, you’re unlikely to need any additional permits to do so. As long as a new or replacement driveway has permeable or porous surfacing, you will not need planning permission–but if the space is more than 5m, planning permission will be needed for an impermeable driveway.

In all cases, it’s best to have this checked out by a professional before any work begins to avoid wasting money, time, or effort on a project that might not be permitted in your area.

FAQs

Finding and Hiring a Professional

While you may want to get your concrete driveway project underway as soon as possible, it’s important to be prudent when hiring your contractor and look into their experience and past jobs to make sure they’re a good fit for your needs.

If you’re opting for patterned or intricately designed concrete, make sure you find a contractor with experience in this exact style. While someone may be great at pouring flat concrete, they might not be as skilled at designing, potentially leaving you with undesirable results.

Where possible, take a look at the contractor’s past work, including any photos or videos they may have of driveway transformations. Pay close attention to the finish and how they have left the site, as this can be a good indicator of their work ethic.

Before agreeing to start on any work, be sure to ask for a detailed, itemised breakdown of all costs. Double-check if skip hire is included and if they will deal with any waste–if not, make sure you factor that into your budget, and any necessary skip permits if you need it on the roadside. If you are unsure about any cost, ask the contractor–it’s best to get these things ironed out before you’ve signed a contract and are obliged to pay.

Ensure you’ve gathered at least three quotes from different traders to compare and contrast their prices. This will help to give you an idea of the range, and will show any rogue trader’s grossly inflated costs, helping you to avoid them.

Lastly, be sure to ask if the contractor includes any guarantees or warranties with their work or the materials used, as this can help trim down any maintenance or repair costs if required.

Sources

https://drivewaychoice.co.uk/how-much-does-a-concrete-driveway-cost
https://www.marshalls.co.uk/gardens-and-driveways/blog/concrete-block-paving-or-pattern-imprinted-concret
https://drivewaysofbury.co.uk/pattern-imprinted-concrete-cost
https://drivewaychoice.co.uk/how-much-does-a-concrete-driveway-cost