Driveway costs in Southampton, surface by surface
Most new drives in the guide below fall between £40 and £150 per square metre installed, depending on the surface. The rest of the price comes from size, what has to be dug out, drainage and whether you need a dropped kerb. Every figure here is a typical published price, with its source.
- Price per m² for every common surface
- Totals for small, average and large drives
- Extras: dropped kerbs, drainage, old slabs
Typical installed prices by surface
Supply and fit prices from the BestBuilders 2026 guide. They assume excavation, a membrane, a compacted sub-base of around 100 to 150mm for cars and edge restraints are included.
| Surface | Typical price per m² |
|---|---|
| Gravel or shingle | £40 to £70 |
| Tarmac or asphalt | £50 to £90 |
| Plain concrete | £60 to £110 |
| Resin bound | £70 to £130 |
| Pattern imprinted concrete | £90 to £140 |
| Concrete block paving | £90 to £150 |
| Clay pavers | £120 to £170 |
| Natural stone or porcelain | £130 to £200 or more |
What a whole drive typically costs
Small is about 20 m², average about 40 m² and large about 70 m², as used in the same guide.
| Surface | Small, 20 m² | Average, 40 m² | Large, 70 m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | £800 to £1,400 | £1,600 to £2,800 | £2,800 to £4,900 |
| Tarmac | £1,000 to £1,800 | £2,000 to £3,600 | £3,500 to £6,300 |
| Resin bound | £1,400 to £2,600 | £2,800 to £5,200 | £4,900 to £9,100 |
| Block paving | £1,800 to £3,000 | £3,600 to £6,000 | £6,300 to £10,500 |
The costs that are not in the per m² rate
| Extra | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossing) | £800 to £2,500 |
| Soakaway or drainage crate | £600 to £2,000 |
| Channel or linear drain | £60 to £120 per metre |
| Removing an existing concrete slab | £15 to £40 per m² |
| Extra sub-base for soft ground | £15 to £35 per m² |
| Dropped kerb application, Southampton City Council | £165 |
| Dropped kerb application, Hampshire County Council | £211.90 (Fast Track £308.90) |
Other typical prices
| Job | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Indian sandstone patio, per m² | £70 to £140 |
| Porcelain patio, per m² | £100 to £180 |
| Natural stone patio, per m² | £130 to £230 |
| Pressure wash, per m² | £3 to £6 |
| Full clean, re-sand and seal, 40 to 60 m² drive | £300 to £700 |
Why two quotes for the same drive differ
Two quotes for the same surface can be thousands apart because they are not for the same job. Before comparing totals, check each quote for these:
- Depth of dig and sub-base. A thin sub-base is the most common reason drives sink. Ask how deep, and what stone.
- Removal of the old drive. Breaking out concrete and taking it away is real work and a real cost.
- Drainage. A sealed surface over 5 m² at the front needs water to go somewhere on your land. Is a channel or soakaway included?
- Edging. Edges set in concrete hold a drive together. Edging that is just laid on sand does not.
- Dropped kerb. Is the council application and the crossover build included, or extra?
- Manholes and covers. Raising or replacing covers within the drive is often left out.
The figures on this page are typical published prices to help you plan. Your own price comes in writing after a site visit. Ask for a quote.
Driveway cost questions
What is the cheapest driveway surface?
Gravel, at typically £40 to £70 per m² installed according to the BestBuilders 2026 guide, followed by tarmac at £50 to £90 per m².
How much is a driveway for two cars?
BestBuilders uses about 40 m² as an average drive. At that size, typical totals are £1,600 to £2,800 for gravel, £2,000 to £3,600 for tarmac, £2,800 to £5,200 for resin bound and £3,600 to £6,000 for block paving.
Does removing the old drive cost extra?
Often, yes. BestBuilders lists removing an existing concrete slab at £15 to £40 per m², and extra sub-base for soft ground at £15 to £35 per m².
Is drainage included in a driveway price?
The per m² rates assume the basic build. A soakaway, typically £600 to £2,000, or a channel drain at £60 to £120 per metre, is often priced separately.
Are the prices on this page your prices?
No. They are typical published prices from the sources linked on the page. Your own price comes in a written quote after a site visit.
Why do quotes for the same drive vary so much?
Usually because they are not for the same job. Compare the depth of dig, the sub-base, edging, drainage, removal of the old drive and whether a dropped kerb is included.
Get a price for your own drive
Published ranges help you plan; a site visit gives you a number. Send the quick form to start.