How much does a resin driveway cost in 2026?
A resin bound driveway costs £60–£95 per m² on our current price guide. A typical two-car drive of about 30 m² comes to roughly £1,800–£2,850 for the surface, or £2,050–£3,300 if the old drive has to be dug out first. The base underneath is the biggest variable, so the fixed price follows a free site visit.
These are guide prices from our price calculator. They include labour, materials and VAT where applicable, but they are not a quote: the fixed, written price follows a free site visit.
How much does a resin driveway cost per m²?
Our guide rate is £60 to £95 per square metre. Where your drive lands in that range depends mostly on the base it goes on, the aggregate blend you choose and how easy the site is to work on. The table below uses the same sizes as our calculator.
| Drive size | Area | Resin surface (guide) | Including removal of the old surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single car, 3 × 5 m | 15 m² | £900 – £1,450 | £1,000 – £1,650 |
| Two cars, 5 × 6 m | 30 m² | £1,800 – £2,850 | £2,050 – £3,300 |
| Three cars, 7.5 × 6 m | 45 m² | £2,700 – £4,300 | £3,050 – £4,950 |
Removing the existing surface is priced at £8–£15 per m² on our guide. It covers breaking out old concrete, tarmac or paving.
What does a complete resin driveway job cost?
Most drives need more than the surface alone. Here is the same 30 m² drive in the calculator with the usual extras switched on:
- Resin bound surface, 30 m²: £1,800 – £2,850
- Remove the existing surface: £250 – £450
- Drainage (channel drain and soakaway): £350 – £700
- Kerb edging, about 22 m: £550 – £900
- Waste removal (skip or grab lorry): £250 – £400
That comes to a guide of £3,200 – £5,300. If machinery cannot reach the drive, for example behind a narrow side path, the calculator adds 12% because more of the work is done by hand.
What affects the price of a resin driveway?
- The base. Resin bound is a thin wearing layer, so it is only as good as what is under it. For a fully permeable drive it goes on a new porous asphalt base over a compacted, open-graded stone sub-base. A sound, level existing tarmac or concrete drive can sometimes be overlaid, which costs less, but only if it has no cracks and the water still has somewhere to go.
- Size and shape. Larger areas cost less per m² to set up; curves and lots of edges take longer.
- The aggregate. The colour is the colour of the natural stone, and blends vary in price.
- Edging. Resin needs a firm edge to finish against, such as block paving or metal edging.
- Drainage and access. Where the water goes, and whether a mixer and barrows can get to the drive easily.
Resin bound or resin bonded: which are you being quoted for?
They are different surfaces, and quotes are not comparable unless you know which one you are getting. Resin bound mixes dried stone with resin and trowels it level: smooth, no loose stones, and permeable. Resin bonded scatters loose stone over a layer of resin: rougher, not permeable, and it can shed stones over time. We lay resin bound for driveways.
How long does a resin driveway last?
There is no honest single number, because the lifespan depends on the install more than on the resin. Laid on a sound, well-drained base, with UV-stable resin and in the right weather, a resin bound drive should give many years of service. Ask any installer what guarantee they give in writing. Every drive we lay carries our 10-year guarantee.
Care is simple: sweep regularly so leaves and grit do not clog the pores, rinse it now and then with a hose or a pressure washer on a gentle setting, and clean up oil promptly. For the first few weeks, avoid turning the steering wheel while the car is standing still, especially in hot weather.
What are the most common resin driveway problems?
Almost every problem traces back to the installation rather than the material:
- Cracks that follow a weak or cracked base underneath.
- Yellowing from cheaper resin that is not UV-stable.
- Patchy or crumbly areas from resin that was badly mixed or laid in the cold.
- Puddles where the base below does not drain, so the water has nowhere to go.
When you compare quotes, ask what base will be laid, which resin is used and whether it is UV-stable.
How long does it take to lay a resin driveway?
Our calculator puts a 30 m² resin drive at one to two days on site, once the groundwork is done. Resin cannot be laid in rain or near freezing, so we plan around the forecast and may move a start date to protect your drive. As a rule of thumb you can usually walk on it later the same day or the next morning, and drive on it after a day or two, depending on the temperature. We give you the exact times on the day.
Do I need planning permission for a resin driveway?
Usually not. The Planning Portal's guidance on paving your front garden says a new or replacement driveway of any size does not need planning permission if it uses a permeable surface that lets water drain through. Resin bound on a permeable base does that. If the drive crosses a pavement to reach the road, you also need a dropped kerb approved by the highway authority, which is a separate application.
Quick answers
- Resin driveway cost per m²: £60–£95 on our guide.
- Two-car drive (30 m²): about £1,800–£2,850 for the surface; £3,200–£5,300 with removal, drainage, edging and a skip.
- Biggest price factor: the base, and whether a new one is needed.
- How long it lasts: many years if the base, resin and weather are right; ask for the guarantee in writing.
- Planning permission: normally not needed, because resin bound on a permeable base is permeable.
See our resin driveways page for colours and how we build the base, work out your own figure with the price calculator, or book a free site visit for a fixed, written quote.
Last updated: 29 September 2026. Written by Lucian, owner of C&L Landscaping & Driveways, Sutton-in-Ashfield.