Driveway Installers: What They Do and What to Check
Tarmac, block paving and resin — with per-m² rates and drainage rules.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Key takeaways
- ›New driveways need a proper sub-base or they crack and sink.
- ›Block paving £80–£120 per m²; resin £70–£100 per m².
- ›Surface water must drain to a soakaway — not the public highway.
What a driveway installer does
Driveway installers excavate, lay a sub-base (type 1 MOT, compacted), and finish with tarmac, block paving, resin-bound gravel or concrete. They handle edging, falls for drainage, and a soakaway or channel drain. In England, front driveways over 5m² that drain to the highway need planning unless they use a permeable surface or drain to a soakaway.
Typical prices (UK 2026)
- •Tarmac (supply + lay): £50–£80 per m².
- •Block paving: £80–£120 per m².
- •Resin-bound: £70–£100 per m².
- •Concrete (supply + lay): £60–£90 per m².
- •Channel drain / soakaway: £300–£700.
Questions to ask and common mistakes
Ask about sub-base depth, edging, and how surface water will be managed. Common mistakes: skimping on the sub-base (driveway sinks in ruts), no edge restraint (blocks spread), and draining water onto the pavement (a planning issue).
- ☐What depth sub-base will you lay?
- ☐How will surface water drain (soakaway or channel)?
- ☐Do I need planning permission for this driveway?
- ☐What guarantee do you give on the surface?
Frequently asked
Resin or block paving?
Resin-bound is smooth, weed-free and permeable; block paving is cheaper and easy to repair but needs weeding and re-sanding. Resin needs a very good sub-base to avoid cracking.
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