New Driveway Costs: What to Expect
A new driveway can completely renovate your home, offering more years of style and functionality than your existing space. The driveway is the first impression people get of your property, so it has to count. For most of us, this requires a complete makeover.
Before you make the decision to renovate your home, you first need to understand how much it will cost and everything that goes into determining the final price tag. Several factors can influence new driveway costs and what you can expect to pay, which we will outline in this post to keep you informed.
S&D Paving is a leading landscaping and driveway installation company that helps people across Surrey achieve their ideal outdoor space. Using our experience, we are sharing everything you need to know about new driveway costs so you can be better prepared for future renovations.
Key Factors That Affect New Driveway Costs
To make it easier for you to estimate how much your new driveway will cost, let’s explore the key factors that influence pricing. A new driveway installation is a complex renovation that requires several factors to work together, all of which influence cost. These include:
- Material Choice: What your driveway is made of will influence the total cost of the renovation, as some materials are more expensive to supply than others. For example, resin driveways often cost more than concrete or tarmac.
- Driveway Size And Shape: The size of your driveway determines how much material and labour will be required for the project, and therefore how expensive it will be. It is important to note that more complex landscapes, such as uneven terrains or harsh angles, will also require more work to install and therefore have higher costs. Bespoke driveway shapes are available at an additional cost.
- Ground Preparation Needed: Similar to the size and shape of your driveway, the condition of the landscape can also play a huge role in how much your new driveway costs. The amount of preparation needed can also vary based on the driveway material you choose, for example, block paving requires a complete excavation and smoothing of the existing foundation, whereas resin can be installed over most other surfaces.
- Labour Costs: The people installing your driveway need to get paid, and this is a factor in new driveway costs. Labour costs vary based on the company you choose, your location and the complexity of the project as this determines how long the installation will take.
- Additional Features: Any additional features you choose to adorn your new driveway and landscape will be added to the final costs. Features such as lighting, edging and other landscaping services can increase the total new driveway costs.
What Driveway Is Best For My Budget?
As we have explained, the type of new driveway you choose influences how much this project will cost. The material of your driveway is one of the biggest factors in new driveway costs, so considering your options carefully at this stage can help ensure it fits within your budget.
Each material offers its own set of advantages which you may want to consider to find the best material for your aesthetic tastes, lifestyle requirements and budget.
Low-End Budget
- Tarmac Driveways
- Gravel Driveways
Both gravel and tarmac driveways are ideal for those dealing with a low-end budget. These driveways are cheap to supply and install, as well as support long term savings too.
Gravel driveways may be the more affordable option, but the ongoing maintenance and need for replacement stones over time can mean they are not suitable for everyone. They do look beautiful and can complement a traditional home. Gravel is also ideal for large or small driveways.
Tarmac, on the other hand, is much easier to install and requires less maintenance. This is a robust surface that is commonly used on roads and high-traffic areas due to its durability. The costs are also reduced because of how easy the tarmac is to install, as it can be laid over most surfaces. There are no design options with tarmac however, meaning it is not ideal for those who are seeking something bespoke or more traditional.
Middle-Range Budget
- Concrete Driveways
Concrete driveways are incredibly durable and long-lasting, making them a great investment for your home. Preparation is needed prior to installation to ensure a smooth, solid foundation as this makes the driveway so durable. Based on the size and condition of your driveway, can contribute to the total new driveway costs.
While concrete driveways are more affordable than others, additional features may be required to renovate the space. Concrete driveways often require edging to complete the look, and you may also want to add driveway lights to make the space visible at night. These can also increase the total cost.
High-End Budget
- Block Paving Driveways
- Resin Bound Driveways
Both block paving and resin driveways offer the maximum customisation, which is why they are so popular. These driveway solutions are also incredibly durable and designed to last, so your investment will be worthwhile. The cost of these materials is considerably higher than the rest, but they do offer benefits you cannot experience elsewhere.
Resin is a sleek, seamless material that can be customised through colour and design to create a truly bespoke driveway for your home. This is a resilient material that can withstand a range of weather conditions, as well as repeated use, without the need for maintenance. It is easy to keep resin driveways in prime condition, reducing the costs for the surface over time.
Block paving driveways are just as versatile, as they can be created using various stones or paving slabs to complement your property. Paving is incredibly durable, but if repairs are needed over time this can be more affordable than with any other material. Instead of having to excavate the whole driveway, the damage blocks simply beed to be replaced.
How To Reduce New Driveway Costs
As well as considering the material of your driveway, there are other ways you can reduce installation costs and ensure your renovation aligns with your budget.
While it is tempting to just think about the initial installation, there are long-term costs of your new driveway that can also influence it’s affordability. Once the driveway is installed, it will require a certain level fo maintenance to keep it attractive, safe and damage-free.
Whether this is something you can afford, both financially and timewise, can influence whether you are making the right decision for your new driveway.
This is why considering low maintenance options, such as resin or tarmac, is the ideal solution if you have a small budget. Although the initial installation may be fairly high, such as with resin driveways, the long term benefits will make it worthwhile. With these driveways, there is no need for constant cleaning, repairs, or sealing as the material is robust enough to withstand all kinds of conditions.
Another way to reduce new driveway costs is to make the design simpler. If you are looking to save money on your new driveway, choose a standard design instead of something more complex and bespoke. All driveways are installed to align with your landscape and home, but it is the additional design touches such as multiple colours or edging that make new driveway costs higher.
Accurate New Driveway Quotes With S&D Paving
Working with a reputable driveway installer, like S&D Paving, means you have plenty of options for your new driveway and we will work with you to find the best fit.
Our team offers a site consultation ahead of all projects, where we take the time to learn more about you and your landscape. Using this, we can then provide the precise care you need and ensure your new driveway costs what you can afford.
We ensure that all clients receive an accurate, personalised quote for their renovations. From landscaping, to paving and driveways, we make it easy for you and ensure you remain in the know with everything we do.
Conclusion
New driveway costs can vary based on several factors, including material, design, and maintenance needs. Determining which is the best driveway solution for your budget means considering more than just the initial driveway installation costs, but also the long-term maintenance and repairs that may be required.
For those on the higher end of the scale, driveways made from block paving and resin are an ideal solution as these cost the most to install. If you are looking to save money, you can opt for more affordable materials like tarmac, or reduce the complexity of your design.
S&D Paving is a leading driveway installer that can deliver the ideal outdoor space for your home and budget. We offer a variety of driveway solutions and will work with you to find the best fit for your needs.
Contact Us Today
To request a consultation for your new driveway, please contact the team today and let us get started.
