What is included in a concrete driveway quote?
Ask for a breakdown of excavation, disposal, compacted sub-base, formwork, reinforcement where specified, concrete supply, finishing, curing protection and drainage. A price that excludes excavation is not comparable with a fully installed driveway quote.
A basic brushed finish is normally a different proposition from coloured or stamped decorative concrete. Finish choices should be agreed before you compare prices, because labour and specialist materials can change the total.
Plain concrete
A functional, continuous surface with a broom or brushed texture. Pay attention to the required strength, thickness, joints, falls and vehicle loading rather than appearance alone.
Decorative concrete
Pigments, surface hardeners, impressions and protective sealers add complexity. Read our imprinted concrete guide for specific questions about colour, pattern and maintenance.
Check drainage and curing before agreeing a date
A large non-permeable front driveway may need drainage measures or permission, depending on where you live and how runoff is managed. Newly placed concrete also needs protection while it cures; ask the installer when it can safely carry pedestrians and vehicles. Times depend on the mix and conditions.
How to compare concrete with other materials
Our calculator currently estimates resin bound, block paving, tarmac and gravel, not poured concrete. Use it to compare alternative surfaces for the same area, then obtain a separate written concrete quotation with the construction layers specified. Comparing equal areas and scopes is more useful than comparing headline square-metre claims.
For a quick benchmark, see how installation costs are made up and how the four modelled surfaces compare.
Common questions
Does the driveway calculator price poured concrete?
No. It currently models resin bound, block paving, tarmac and gravel. A poured-concrete project needs a separate site-specific quotation.
Is concrete the same as tarmac?
No. They are different materials with different laying methods, repair options and finishes. Compare the specified construction rather than assuming an interchangeable price.
Sources and important notes
Published 2 November 2026. The figures are broad UK examples for ordinary installations; they are not fixed contractor prices and do not account for every site condition.