Resin Driveway Costs in 2024

Resin driveways come in two different types: bonded and bound. Even though the price of these two methods differs considerably, there are other factors that also affect the price. You will need a suitable sub-base, for a start, as well as your choice of aggregate, resin and edging. The resin driveway cost, however, will always be dependent on the size of your drive, as well as its shape and if any other bespoke finishes or designs are required.

This article will be useful for all information about what resin driveways cost in 2024. We’ll break down the average cost of a resin driveway, as well as the labour costs, and will look at how else the price can be affected, including if planning permission is needed.

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How Much Does a Resin Driveway Cost in the UK?

The average resin driveway cost per m² is around £40, but this depends on a number of factors. The larger the surface area, the lower the cost per m² as you get the economy of scale benefit. It also depends on the aggregate you choose, which resin you opt for and whether you want a resin bound or resin bonded drive. Resin driveways cost more for the bound system as the process is slightly more complex.

If a suitable sub-base is already installed, such as an intact concrete surface, the resin drive can be laid on top. If there are issues, such as cracks or an uneven surface, then the existing area will need to be flattened and a suitable sub-base installed. This will inevitably drive up the resin driveway cost. For the examples below, we’ll assume a suitable sub-base is already present.

As you can see from the examples above, the overall resin driveway cost is affected by size. This also gives you an indication of what you can expect to pay per m². As a rough guide, a small drive is enough for a single car; a medium drive can fit two or three cars; and a large drive can comfortably fit five or six cars.

If you’re worrying about the cost of the driveway, there are certain benefits that come with the more expensive resin bound option, such as Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) compliance, superior grip and better integrity. Larger aggregate stones will set you back more, but they offer better drainage. Stones of certain sizes are better suited for some areas though, so it can be down to personal preference. It’s important to understand how this will affect the resin driveway cost.

For a breakdown of aggregate costs, see our article on the complete guide to resin bonded driveways.

Smaller aggregate is cheaper to install, as it can be fitted without much depth. This is one way to avoid a higher resin driveway cost. A resin bonded driveway will cost less, but comes with its own drawbacks

How Long Will A Resin Driveway Take to Install?

The labour prices have been included in the table above, which adds towards the total resin driveway cost that you can expect to pay. However, depending on the size of your drive and the size of aggregate you have chosen, the labour might stretch over a couple of days. Labour costs are around £150-£250 a day, so this can quickly add up. If you choose larger aggregate, more excavation could be required, which will increase labour and therefore the total resin driveway cost.

What Factors Affect the Cost of a Resin Driveway?

We’ve covered the main aspects of resin driveway costs, but there are also other elements that will need to be considered. Every job is bespoke, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The most important additional elements are covered below.

Size and Shape

Naturally, the bigger the drive, the bigger the resin driveway cost, but the shape is also important. Even from the examples pictured above, the drives were standard rectangular shapes, but this isn’t always the case. Some drives that you want to apply resin to will be various polygons that will make the installation job more difficult. Likewise, curves and non-straight lines will be trickier, which will raise the resin driveway cost.

The other factor that can raise the cost is any bespoke design that you’d like included in the final product. One of the most attractive benefits of a resin drive is that you can customise them with different shapes or patterns, usually with aggregate that’s a different colour to the rest of the drive. If you want to set yourself apart from everyone else, this is a good way of personalising your drive. Naturally, the resin driveway cost will increase with this option.

Resin

Whether you go for a resin bound or resin bonded drive will have an impact on the overall finish and the price you pay, but while bonded is cheaper than bound, they come with their own differences. For a full list of resin bound and resin bonded differences, read our related article. The resin bonded driveway cost is less, but it is non-permeable, which doesn’t let water through. If you wished to install a larger drive using this method, you might have to apply for planning permission so the existing waterways aren’t overloaded. The resin driveway cost for a resin bound drive will set you back more as it is SuDS compliant, which means that it will allow water to drain through it and not to pool on the surface.

Likewise, there are two types of resin to choose from: UV stable and non-UV stable. While the former will push up the resin driveway cost, it won’t fade in sunlight exposure, whereas the non-UV stable resin will. If you have a car parked on your drive during the day, UV stable resin will be the better option; you won’t be left with a discoloured area where the car stays. This is also the same if you have plant pots or other items usually sitting on your drive.

Edging

The edging is also important, as this frames the finished product. There are several options to choose from, which gives you a little more control over the budget. The popular choice is brick, as this can come in different colours to complement your finished drive. You can also opt for metal, stone or timber edging, depending on how you want the finished article to look. Although the resin driveway cost is increased by the edging, it’s essential to keep your drive in place and to stop it coming apart.

Is Planning Permission Required?

If you opt for the more expensive resin driveway cost, i.e., a resin bound system, you will not need to apply for planning permission because it’s SuDS compliant. Likewise, if your drive is non-porous but any surface water runoff will drain directly into a lawn or border, you will also not need planning permission. It’s the government’s way of getting people to choose porous driveways in the first place.

If your drive is over 5m² and is non-porous, you will need to apply for planning permission. Without a suitable soakaway, you’ll be contributing to the water that falls into storm drains on the road, which increases the chance of flooding. Even though the resin driveway cost will invariably be affected by the addition of planning permission, it’s always best to check with the council just to be sure.