In 2026, a resin bound driveway typically costs from £90 per square metre when laid as an overlay on a sound existing base, up to £160 per square metre for a full construction project requiring complete excavation and a new permeable sub base. For a typical two car drive of about 40m², that puts most projects between £3,600 and £6,400, depending on ground levels and the work needed underneath.
Resin is our speciality, and cost is the first thing most people want to know. Below, we break down what goes into that figure and show example costs for common driveway sizes around Redditch. You will also find a checklist for comparing quotes fairly.
How much does a resin driveway cost per m²?
Most of the price depends on one question: can your existing surface stay, or does it need digging out? Laying resin over a sound tarmac or concrete drive saves the cost of excavation and a new base. Starting from scratch costs more, but it gives you a base built for the job.
| Situation | Typical price per m² | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Resin overlay on a sound tarmac or concrete base | From £90 | Cleaning and repairing the old surface, edging, then laying UV stable resin |
| Full construction with excavation and new sub base | Up to £160 | Full dig out, laying and compacting a new permeable base, edging, then laying resin |
Our own prices start from £90 per m² for an overlay and up to £160 per m² for full dig outs, and we confirm yours in writing after a free site visit. Figures elsewhere vary a lot depending on site access, ground conditions and border choices, which is exactly why an on-site visit matters more than any online calculator.
Resin driveway prices by size
Here is how those rates work out for the driveway sizes we see most often. Treat them as a guide to the likely range rather than a quote.
| Driveway size | Rough area | Over an existing base (from £90/m²) | Full construction dig out (up to £160/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space for one car | 20m² | £1,800 | Up to £3,200 |
| Space for two cars | 40m² | £3,600 | Up to £6,400 |
| Space for three cars | 55m² | £4,950 | Up to £8,800 |
| Space for four cars or more | 70m² | £6,300 | Up to £11,200 |
Smaller drives often cost more per square metre than larger ones. Setting up, mixing and finishing takes a similar amount of time whatever the size, so those fixed costs are spread across fewer metres.
What changes the price of a resin driveway
Two drives of the same size can be priced very differently. These are the factors that move the figure most, roughly in order of impact.
The base underneath
Resin is only as good as what it sits on. A new base means digging out, removing the spoil and laying a compacted sub base, usually crushed stone topped with a porous asphalt or similar layer. On the heavy clay found across much of Redditch and north Worcestershire, the base often needs to be deeper, which adds time and material.
Size and shape
Curves, steps and narrow strips take longer to trowel than a simple rectangle. A sweeping drive looks great, but expect a little more per square metre than a straight one of the same area.
Access and waste removal
If a digger and skip can sit on the drive, work moves quickly. Tight access, terraced frontages or a long barrow run to the road all add labour.
Edging and borders
Most resin drives need a firm edge to hold the surface in place. Block paving or granite sett borders cost more than a plain metal or concrete edge, but they frame the drive and give it a finished look.
Drainage
Resin bound surfacing lets rain drain straight through, but the base must be able to take that water. Where the ground holds water, or the drive falls towards the house, a channel drain or soakaway may be needed.
Resin and stone choice
Resin comes in two main types. UV stable resin costs more but keeps light coloured stone looking true, while cheaper resins can yellow in sunlight over time, as Ideal Home's guide to resin driveway problems explains. Premium aggregate blends also cost more than standard ones.
Dropped kerbs
If you need a new or wider dropped kerb, the application goes to your county or borough council, and the council's fees and approved works are separate from the driveway itself. We can point you in the right direction during the site visit.
Can resin go over my existing driveway?
Often, yes, and it is the cheapest route to a resin finish. Laying over an old drive works when the surface underneath is sound, with no deep cracks, sinking or loose areas. We check the old tarmac or concrete carefully on a site visit, because laying over a failing base simply copies its problems into the new surface.
Drainage is the other check. Resin over a sealed concrete base cannot drain through in the same way, so we look at where the water will go and whether the front garden drainage rules are met.
Is a resin driveway worth the money?
For most homes, yes, provided it is laid on a proper base. A well installed resin bound driveway typically lasts 15 to 25 years, according to MyBuilder's resin driveway guide, and it needs little more than a sweep and an occasional jet wash.
Because it is permeable, a resin bound drive can also help you avoid planning permission for a front garden, where an impermeable surface over five square metres would need it, as the government guidance on permeable front gardens explains. Compared with block paving, there are no joints for weeds to push through.
Resin is not the right answer for every drive. On very long rural runs, tarmac for the main stretch with resin near the house can be better value. We will always say so if another surface suits your home better.
Is a resin driveway cheaper in winter?
Sometimes. Industry guides describe December to February as the quietest months, with some installers offering off peak prices to keep crews busy. Resin also needs dry weather and temperatures of about 5°C and rising to cure properly, so winter is often the best time to plan and book rather than lay. Getting a quote now means your drive can go down as soon as spring weather allows.
What a good resin driveway quote should include
A low price per square metre means little if half the work is missing. A clear quote should cover:
- Whether the existing surface stays, and if not, how deep the new base will be
- The type of resin, including whether it is UV stable, and the stone blend
- Edging, drainage and any work to manhole covers
- Removal of all waste and making good around the drive
- What guarantee is offered and what it covers (we provide a written 10 year guarantee on our resin bound driveways)
Red flags worth watching for
- A price given over the phone without anyone looking at the drive
- No mention of the base, or a promise to lay over anything
- Resin bonded, where stone is scattered on top, sold as resin bound
- Pressure to decide on the day or pay a large deposit upfront
If you are unsure about the difference between the two systems, our resin bound driveways page explains it in more detail.
Resin driveway prices in Redditch
Every quote we give starts with a free site visit. Ross measures the drive and checks the base, then talks you through colours and borders before we put anything in writing, backed by our written guarantees and £2,000,000 insurance. That way the price you get reflects your drive, not an average.
Pristine Groundworks Ltd have just finished our new resin drive, and what a fantastic result - I can’t stop looking at it!
We lay resin driveways across Redditch and the surrounding towns, from Bromsgrove and Studley to Solihull and Worcester. See all the areas we serve.
Resin driveway cost FAQs
How much is a resin driveway per m²?
Our prices start from £90 per square metre for resin laid over a sound existing base, and go up to £160 per square metre for a full dig out with a new sub base. Your exact price depends on the base, access and finish, and we confirm it in writing after a free site visit.
How much does a resin driveway cost for two cars?
A two car drive is usually around 40m². At our prices that works out at about £3,600 over a sound existing base, or up to £6,400 with a full dig out and new sub base.
Why do resin driveway quotes vary so much?
Mostly because of the base. A quote that includes digging out and a new sub base will be higher than one that lays over the old surface. Resin type, edging and drainage also make a difference.
Is it cheaper to lay resin over tarmac?
Yes, if the tarmac is sound. Reusing a good base removes the cost of excavation, which is often the biggest part of the price. A cracked or sinking drive needs fixing first.
How long does a resin driveway last?
Typically 15 to 25 years on a sound base, according to MyBuilder. Using UV stable resin and a properly built base are the two biggest factors.
Do I need planning permission for a resin driveway?
Not usually, if the surface is permeable or drains to a permeable area within your property. An impermeable surface across more than five square metres of front garden would need permission.
Is a resin driveway cheaper in winter?
It can be, as winter is the quietest time of year for driveway work. Resin needs dry weather and about 5°C and rising to cure, so winter is often the best time to book a spring installation.
Get a free resin driveway quote
The quickest way to find out what your drive will cost is to let us see it. Get a free quote online or call 07368 623683, and Ross will arrange a time to measure up.