Last updated on March 31st, 2022
Permeable driveway cost guide
Why install a permeable driveway? For starters, this kind of driveway is great for drainage. Permeable materials allow water to drain through, away from your property and into the ground below. In this guide, we’ll look at the average cost of a permeable driveway, whether made from resin or concrete.
Why install a permeable driveway? For starters, this kind of driveway is great for drainage. Permeable materials allow water to drain through, away from your property and into the ground below. This can prevent problems with waterlogging and standing water.
In some cases, using permeable materials can also mean you don’t need to apply for planning permission for your new driveway. This would ordinarily be needed if your driveway was over a certain size, and excess water from your driveway was flowing into a public drain. Permeable materials can save you the trouble of installing a new drainage system, as well as the cost of putting in a planning application.
In this guide, we’ll look at the average cost of a permeable driveway, whether made from resin or concrete.
How much does a permeable driveway cost?
| Low cost | High cost | Average cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permeable concrete driveway cost (per m2) | £60 | £100 | £80 |
| Permeable resin driveway cost (per m2) | £40 | £70 | £60 |
| Labour costs - concrete (per m2) | £40 | £50 | £45 |
| Labour costs - resin (per m2) | £12.50 | £15 | £14 |
Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now
The cost of a permeable driveway depends on its size, and the material chosen. You should also factor in the cost of any excavation and foundation work, plus labour costs for installing your new driveway.
For concrete driveways, labour will cost around £45 a square metre. Resin driveways tend to be cheaper to install at less than £15 a square metre.
Permeable concrete driveway cost
Permeable concrete is a structural concrete with a large volume of interconnected voids. It’s made from a mixture of coarse aggregates, water and cement, just like ordinary concrete. But it has one key difference – it contains hardly any sand, or no sand at all. This gives it an open-cell structure which makes the concrete porous, so that water can easily and quickly pass through.
Permeable concrete driveways costs around £80 a square metre.
Permeable resin driveway cost
Resin driveways are made from a mix of aggregate and resin, offering a smooth, versatile and natural-looking finish. Crucially, resin driveways are porous, so they allow water to drain through to the soil and stone underneath.
Resin driveways cost around £60 a square metre.
FAQs
Do I need planning permission for a permeable driveway?
If your driveway is under five square metres in size, you shouldn’t need planning permission for it. Driveways that are larger than that may need approval, unless they are made from permeable materials. This is because they allow excess water to drain through, rather than running into a public drain or in other public space. It’s always worth checking with your local authority just in case, and before work starts on your new driveway.
How long will a permeable concrete or resin driveway last?
If properly installed and maintained, a concrete driveway should last up to 20 years. An even smarter investment is a resin driveway, as this lasts even longer. You shouldn’t need to replace a permeable resin driveway for 21-25 years.
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