How much does a resin driveway cost?
Transparent, honest pricing for Surrey homeowners. Understand exactly what you're paying for, how prices are calculated per square metre, and what affects your final quote.
The 2025 Cost Range: £60 to £150 per m²
When homeowners ask us for a price, the most accurate answer without seeing the property is £60 to £150 per square metre. That is a wide gap, but it exists because the term "resin driveway" covers two entirely different types of job.
Scenario 1: The Overlay (Approx £60 - £85 per m²)
If your existing driveway is tarmac or monolithic concrete, and it is in excellent condition without major cracks or subsidence, we can often lay the resin bound surface directly on top. This is the cheapest method because it requires minimal groundworks, no heavy excavation machinery, and no waste disposal costs.
Read about overlaying existing tarmac →Scenario 2: Full Excavation (Approx £100 - £150 per m²)
If your current driveway is grass, gravel, block paving, or heavily cracked tarmac, an overlay is impossible. We must excavate the area to a depth of roughly 200mm-250mm, remove the spoil, and install a structural sub-base (usually compacted MOT Type 1) followed by a porous asphalt binder course. Only then can the resin be laid. The heavy labour and material requirements dictate this higher price point.
Read about sub-base preparation →What affects the final price?
Beyond the condition of your existing base, several other factors influence your quote:
- The size of the driveway: Small driveways (under 30m²) have a higher cost per square metre because fixed setup costs (vehicle travel, material delivery, mixer setup) remain the same regardless of size. Larger driveways benefit from economies of scale.
- Edging requirements: Resin bound surfacing needs a solid edge to hold it in place. If your driveway is already bordered by brick walls or sound concrete kerbs, this costs nothing. If we need to install new aluminium beading or block paved borders, this adds to the linear metre cost.
- Drainage and SUDS: If the driveway falls towards your home, building regulations dictate we must capture that water before it hits your damp proof course. Installing Aco channel drains connected to a soakaway increases the price.
- Manholes and covers: If you have unsightly metal inspection covers on your drive, we can replace them with recessed trays. We fill the tray with resin so the cover blends seamlessly into the rest of the surface.
For a deeper dive into these variables, read our full guide on what affects the price of a resin driveway.
Is resin worth the investment?
When comparing quotes, it's easy to lean towards the cheapest option, which is often standard block paving or loose gravel. However, we believe resin is absolutely worth the initial outlay.
Block paving inevitably suffers from weed growth through the sand-filled joints, requiring aggressive pressure washing and re-sanding every few years. Gravel spreads onto the pavement, thins out, and creates dust. Resin bound surfaces require virtually zero maintenance beyond an occasional stiff sweep or light jet wash. It does not support weed growth, it does not fade, and it does not move.
Be wary of contractors offering prices that seem too good to be true. Cheap resin driveways often fail within the first two years due to sub-standard bases or non-UV stable binders.
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