Price per square metre
| Surface | Typical UK cost per m² | 20m² single | 40m² double |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | £60 | £1,200 | £2,400 |
| Tarmac | £90 | £1,800 | £3,600 |
| Block paving | £100 | £2,000 | £4,000 |
| Resin-bound | £120 | £2,400 | £4,800 |
Source: Checkatrade driveway cost guide, April 2026. MyBuilder's August 2026 figures put most driveway work between about £50 and £130 per m², in line with these.
These are national averages. Stockton prices are generally close to or a little below them, but every site is different.
The extras that change the price
| Extra | Why it adds cost |
|---|---|
| Breaking out old concrete or tarmac | Labour, machine hire and skip loads |
| Deeper digging on soft clay | More excavation and more sub-base stone |
| Drainage | Channel drains, soakaways or permeable bases |
| Edging and borders | Kerbs, setts or contrasting blocks |
| Steps and walls | Extra materials and skilled time |
| New dropped kerb | About £1,800 on UK averages (Checkatrade) |
| Widening a dropped kerb | About £1,100 on UK averages |
| Moving lamp posts or covers | Charged by the council or utility |
On Stockton's slow-draining boulder clay, drainage and sub-base depth matter more than on sandy ground, and a quote that skimps on them may look cheaper but fail sooner.
Dropped kerb costs in Stockton
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council does not publish a fixed fee for driveway crossings. The owner applies, and the council gives a site-specific quote. Alternatively, a contractor holding the council's Opening Up licence can do the work. See dropped kerbs and council or private dropped kerb?.
Comparing quotes fairly
Ask everyone who quotes to put these in writing:
- The area in square metres.
- Excavation depth and sub-base type and depth.
- The surface specification, such as block type and thickness, tarmac layers, or resin depth and aggregate.
- Edging and how the drive meets lawns, walls and the footway.
- How water will be dealt with.
- Waste removal, and whether skips are included.
- Guarantee length and what it covers.
If one quote is far below the others, it is usually missing something on this list.
Repair instead of replace
If the base under your drive is still sound, a repair such as re-laying a sunken area or resurfacing worn tarmac can cost far less than a new drive. See driveway repairs for how to tell the difference.
Common questions
What is the cheapest driveway surface?
Gravel, at about £60 per m² on UK averages.
How much is a block-paved double drive in Stockton?
About £4,000 for 40m² at UK average rates, before extras such as a dropped kerb or removing old concrete.
Is resin more expensive than block paving?
On average, yes: around £120 per m² against £100.
Does a dropped kerb come on top of the drive price?
Yes. It is separate, and in Stockton it is quoted by the council or done by a licensed contractor.
Why do quotes vary so much?
Mostly because of the groundwork: excavation depth, sub-base, drainage and waste removal.