Concrete Driveway Cost UK
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Indicative estimate only. Actual prices depend on ground conditions, reinforcement needs, access and installer rates.
Concrete Driveway Cost: A Complete UK Guide
The cost of a concrete driveway is between £60 and £115 per m² fully installed and the exact price depends on the type of finish you choose for your concrete driveway. For an average two-car driveway of 50m², this would cost between £3,000 to £5,750.
Concrete is one of the most common and useful surfaces for driveways in the UK. It's tough, takes the weight of vehicles well without leaving joints for the weeds to get through and outlasts tarmac for a similar initial outlay. If you are looking for a decorative stamped or pattern imprinted finish in particular this is discussed in more detail on its own page as it is priced and installed a little differently to standard concrete.
| Driveway size | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 20m² (single car) | £1,200 to £2,300 |
| 50m² (two-car driveway) | £3,000 to £5,750 |
| 100m² (large or multi-car driveway) | £6,000 to £11,500 |
These prics cover the full build including digging out the area, laying the sub-base, adding reinforcement, pouring the concrete, finishing the surface and cutting in the expansion joints. A plain brushed finish is the cheapest option. Coloured concrete and exposed aggregate both cost more because they take extra materials and more time to finish.
You'll pay around 10 to 15% more in London and the South East. The concrete finish you choose will affect the price just as much as the size of the driveway itself. If one quote comes in well outside the £60 to £115 per m² range, check what is included in it before you compare it with the others.
Finish. The final finish you select for your driveway has the greatest effect on the cost; a simple brushed finish is the most inexpensive option while coloured concrete is more expensive due to the extra pigment. Exposed aggregate is one of the most costly choices when it comes to a concrete driveway since the surface has to be treated in order to reveal the stone underneath.
Concrete mix. A standard concrete mix is suitable for most driveways. If it will be used by heavier vehicles then it's worth paying extra for a stronger mix. It stands up better to heavy weight and is less likely to crack over time.
How the concrete is supplied. Most contractors will get the ready-mix concrete delivered to the job site by lorry. If the concrete is mixed on the site then you can save some money as you will only pay for what gets used. If the access to the site is difficult then a concrete pump may also be needed, which adds to the final cost.
Sub-base and reinforcement. A solid sub-base is what gives the concrete driveway its strength. Using reinforcement, for example in the form of steel mesh, helps to reduce the likelihood of cracks appearing later on. Leaving it out may cause the quote to go down, but it could result in costly repairs.
Expansion joints. Concrete expands and shrinks as temperatures change. Expansion joints allow for that movement and help stop random cracks appearing across the driveway.
Drainage. Standard concrete does not allow water to pass through. If your driveway is larger than 5m² and water cannot flow into a lawn or border, you will need proper drainage that follows SuDS rules. Some driveways use permeable edging or drainage channels to manage this without changing the entire design.
Removing the old driveway. If there is an existing driveway that needs to to be removed first then those removal costs will be added up on top of the actual driveway installation costs.
Access. Labour has to do more work by hands if there is limited access to the job site. If machinery or a concrete lorry can't get close enough to your driveway then labour costs will increase.
If you're still deciding between concrete and other materials, take a look at our main driveway cost guide. For stamped and pattern imprinted concrete, you'll find a separate guide covering costs, finishes and what to expect.
A concrete driveway is built in 2 to 4 days starting from digging out the area to finishing the surface. After that, the concrete needs time to harden properly and you will have to wait for atleast a week before it is ready for regular use.
Laying a concrete driveway isn't a job most people can just do themselves because everything has to be timed properly including ordering the right amount of concrete to spreading and finishing it before it starts to set. If you get it wrong, there's no easy way to put it right. Small repairs, like filling a crack, are well within reach for most DIYers, but pouring a whole driveway is best left to professionals.
Pros
- Long lifespan, 25 to 40 years when properly installed, ahead of tarmac and comparable to good quality block paving
- No joints for weeds to get through, unlike block paving or gravel
- Handles vehicle weight well, especially with the right mix grade for heavier loads
- A range of finishes available, from plain and practical to coloured or exposed aggregate for more kerb appeal
- Lower cost than premium block paving or resin for a similar lifespan
Cons
- Not permeable, so drainage and planning permission need considering the same as tarmac
- Cracks over time, especially without proper reinforcement or expansion joints, and cracks in concrete are generally more visible than in other materials
- Harder to repair invisibly than block paving, a patched section rarely blends in perfectly with the surrounding concrete
- Colour and finish are harder to change later compared with resin, since altering concrete significantly means an overlay or full replacement
- Needs proper curing time before it can take full vehicle weight, longer than some other materials
A concrete driveway can last anywhere from 25 to 40 years if it is properly installed. If you have a weak sub-base or poor reinforcement for the driveway, this will shorten its life.
The cost for applying a fresh coat of sealer every 3 to 4 years is around £3 to £5 per m². Resealing helps stop water from soaking into the surface, which is important during winter when freezing weather can make small cracks much worse. Aside from that, keeping a concrete driveway in good condition doesn't take much more than an occasional sweep and dealing with minor cracks early.
Leaving the driveway unsealed won't ruin it overnight but it does leave it more exposed to the weather. Once water seeps through the cracks and freezes, it starts to force the concrete apart. Fixing a small crack early is cheaper than waiting until a larger section has to be repaired or totally replaced.
Concrete can be repaired rather than replaced in most cases, though it's a bit less forgiving to patch invisibly than block paving.
Small repairs, filling a minor crack, cost £100 to £400.
Moderate repairs, covering multiple cracks or localised damage, run £400 to £1,200.
Major repairs, resurfacing a section or partial replacement, cost £1,200 to £2,500 or more.
If the base of the driveway is still in good condition, you may not need a brand new driveway. A full resurfacing overlay, where fresh concrete is laid over the existing base will cost you between £50 to £100 per m² and can give your driveway a new look without having the need for replacing the whole thing.
The condition of the base is what matters most when you are deciding between repair or full replacement. Small cracks, light wear and surface stains are all easy enough to repair but if the driveway is sinking or the cracks keep coming back or the damage is getting worse, the problem is probably below the surface.
Concrete is priced somewhere between tarmac and block paving. One of its biggest selling points is how long it lasts, with a lifespan of around 25 to 40 years without the higher cost of some other materials. If it gets damaged, repairs are more noticeable than block paving, where individual blocks can be replaced. It also doesn't offer the same range of colours and finishes as resin.
If you have a comparatively lower budget but want a driveway that will last very long then you should choose concrete. It will cost you more than tarmac but it will also last much longer. If block paving or resin are out of your price range, concrete is a sensible middle option for you.
What mix grade are they using, and is it right for your driveway? A standard mix is fine for most driveways. If you'll be parking a van, motorhome or anything heavier then ask the contractor if a stronger mix is included.
Is steel mesh reinforcement included? It helps strengthen the driveway and reduce the risk of cracking. If it is not listed in the quote then ask whether it's part of the job.
How is drainage being handled? Since standard concrete isn't permeable, ask whether the driveway falls to a soakaway or border, or whether a permeable strip design is being used instead.
What's included for expansion joints? Ask where they'll be placed and how many, since this affects how the slab handles cracking over its lifetime.
What's the workmanship guarantee? A good installer should be happy to provide you with a written guarantee covering problems such as cracking or sinking for a set period of time.