How Much Does a Resin Driveway Cost?

A resin bound driveway typically costs around £60–£100 per m² for an overlay onto a suitable existing base. Where the existing driveway needs to be removed and a new base installed, the total resin driveway price can increase to around £120–£160 per m².

The final cost depends on the size of the driveway, condition of the existing base, location, chosen aggregate blend, resin type, edging and the complexity of the installation.

For example, a straightforward 50m² resin driveway overlay could typically cost around £3,000–£5,000, whereas a full installation requiring new groundwork and a base could be closer to £6,000–£8,000.

These figures are intended as a UK guide rather than a fixed quotation. Every driveway is different, so the condition of the existing surface and the amount of preparation required can have a significant effect on the final price.

What Affects Resin Driveway Costs?

The cost of a resin driveway installation can be ambiguous because each project is completely different. Many variables can affect the cost of resin driveways. Some of those variables may include:

The geographic location of the resin drive install

As with any commodity or service, where you are situated in the UK will determine its cost. Living costs and overheads, such as wages, are generally more expensive in the South, in comparison to the North. The economics is the same with resin gravel surfaces. Transport and haulage costs will also vary from project to project depending on the location.

The size of the area of the driveway

Obviously, the size of the driveway will affect the amount of materials and labour required to complete the installation and the price. But there are fixed costs – regardless of the size – when installing resin drives too, such as fuel. Larger installations will allow for economies of scale and so although they will be more expensive, the cost per square meter may end up costing significantly less than a smaller install.

It’s also worth noting that if the prospective area of the resin bound is difficult to access or is awkward to trowel, it will take longer to complete the project. This will therefore increase the labour costs.

The Chosen resin gravel colour blend

Different types of aggregates have different prices. These are based on the source of the aggregate, the exclusivity of the aggregate; the size, colour and dimension of the aggregate. Other resin bound gravel colour mixes therefore have different prices.

The quality of the resin

There are a number of different types of resin for driveways on the market. There is UV stable polyurethane resin and then non-UV stable polyurethane resin. To further segment, these resins can vary in quality across manufacturers. Non-UV stable resin is more economical than UV stable resin. This is because UV resin goes through a longer manufacturing process and is more refined, making it a substantially higher quality product and therefore more expensive. Whilst some colour mixtures allow the use of non-UV stable resin as well as UV stable resin, which is compulsory on some colours, we would always recommend using UV stable resin for peace of mind.

What vehicles are going on the driveway

For most driveways, the resin is installed at a depth of 15mm on top of the base. For any surface intended to hold vehicles above 7.5 tonnes, contractors should install the resin overlay at a depth of 18mm. Because the depth of the resin required increases with the weight of any vehicle, more material must be used, therefore increasing the cost.

Any base work

The condition of the current driveway will heavily impact the cost of a resin driveway. Any groundwork, repairs, levelling, preparation work or cleaning of the existing driveway base must all be taken into account and will incur additional costs.

If the current base is not in satisfactory condition, a new base must be laid. If you already have a quality tarmac driveway or concrete driveway, then you can install the resin bound driveway surface directly over the top. Qualified, approved Resin Mill installers are the best to advise on whether your driveway needs a new base or not.

Any required edging

You must install resin bound gravel up to a suitable edge. If there isn’t an edge present, the installer will need to create one. This is another cost consideration, although some edges are more economical than others depending on the prospective design. Suitable edges may include timber, walls, bricks or aluminium edging.

Resin Driveway Cost FAQs

How much is a resin driveway per square metre?

A resin bound driveway overlay will typically cost around £60–£100 per m² when installed over a suitable existing base. If new groundwork and a base are required, the complete installation can cost around £120–£160 per m².

Is a resin driveway cheaper if I already have a suitable base?

Yes. If an existing tarmac or concrete base is structurally sound and suitable for a resin bound overlay, considerably less groundwork is required. This can substantially reduce the overall cost of the driveway.

How much would a 50m² resin driveway cost?

As a general guide, a 50m² overlay could cost around £3,000–£5,000. A complete installation requiring a new base could cost approximately £6,000–£8,000. Actual prices will vary depending on access, preparation, edging, materials and location.

Want to Know More?

You can find more answers to commonly asked questions on our Resin Bound Driveway FAQs page.

If you're looking for somebody to install your driveway, use our Find an Elite Installer service to connect with an approved Resin Mill installer. If you're purchasing the materials yourself, browse our Resin Bound Kits to compare colours and calculate the materials required for your project.