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A driveway contractor handles the dig-out, sub-base, drainage, and surface install for a new driveway, plus patio work and edging. In Northern Ireland the quality of the sub-base matters more than the surface — most driveway failures within five years trace back to a thin or poorly compacted base, not the visible material on top. Ask any contractor what depth of sub-base they are installing, how they are managing surface-water drainage (Sustainable Drainage Systems / SuDS rules apply for front driveways larger than five square metres in NI), and whether the work needs planning permission.
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Common services
Full driveway dig-out, sub-base and surface install
Patio installation in matching or contrasting finish
Driveway repair, re-pointing and re-sealing
Old driveway removal and disposal
What to ask before hiring
What depth of sub-base are you installing?
How are you handling surface-water drainage — soakaway, channel drain, or to the road?
Will the surface be permeable, and do I need planning permission?
How will the edging be laid — haunched concrete, kerb stones?
How long will the work take, and what is the day rate of the crew?
Do you provide a written guarantee on the work, and for how long?
Do you have current public liability insurance?
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Typical costs in Northern Ireland
Job type
Typical price
Notes
Tarmac driveway
£45–£85/m²
NI 2026; includes dig-out + 100–150 mm sub-base + binder + wearing course
Block paving
£80–£150/m²
Standard concrete blocks; clay or permeable adds 10–25%
Permeable block paving (SuDS-compliant)
£90–£170/m²
Avoids planning permission requirement for front driveways
Resin-bound driveway
£80–£130/m²
Over an existing concrete or tarmac base; sub-base extra if needed
Gravel driveway
£25–£55/m²
Includes membrane and edging
Sub-base only (per m²)
£25–£45/m²
For pricing comparison; usually included in surface price
Channel drain install
£40–£90/linear m
Connected to soakaway or storm water
Soakaway install
£800–£2,200
Variable depending on ground conditions and access
Driveway widening
£500–£2,500
Depending on width gained and edging required
Patio (matching surface)
£60–£140/m²
Often added as part of a driveway scheme
Prices are indicative and vary based on job complexity, materials and location within NI. Always get 2-3 quotes.
Qualifications & accreditations to look for
Interlay (Interlocking Block Paving)
UK association for block paving and hard landscaping
British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI)
Trade body covering driveways and hard landscaping
Marshalls Register / Brett Approved Installer
Manufacturer-recognised installer schemes
CSCS Card
Construction Skills Certification Scheme — site competence
CITB Health & Safety
Required where the crew employs sub-contractors or labourers
Public Liability Insurance
Minimum £2m — required on NI Trades for driveway work
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission for a new driveway in Northern Ireland?
For a residential front driveway in NI, planning permission is normally required for a non-permeable surface (asphalt, tarmac, concrete, non-permeable block paving) larger than five square metres that drains to the public road. A permeable surface — permeable block paving, resin-bound, gravel, or a driveway draining to a soakaway on your own land — does not normally need planning permission. The rules are NI-specific and your contractor should be familiar with them. Where there is doubt, contact your local Council Planning Service before work starts.
How deep should the sub-base be?
For a residential driveway carrying car and light van traffic, a standard NI specification is 100–150 mm of compacted Type 1 MOT sub-base on a geotextile membrane. Heavier vehicles (motorhomes, regular delivery vans) and softer ground push that to 200 mm or more. Any contractor quoting "we will lay it straight on top" or "we don't need much sub-base because the ground is solid" is a red flag — the sub-base is the single biggest factor in whether a driveway lasts five years or twenty.
How long should a new driveway last?
A correctly installed driveway in NI should last 15–25 years before any major maintenance. Tarmac may need a top dressing or re-seal at the 10–15 year mark, block paving may need re-pointing or joint refilling at 5–8 years, and resin-bound surfaces usually need a UV-resistant top coat at 10–15 years. Ask your contractor what warranty they offer in writing — most reputable NI installers offer a 5–10 year written guarantee against settlement and surface failure.
My existing driveway is uneven. Can it be repaired without a full re-lay?
Often, yes. Block paving can be lifted, re-laid on a corrected sub-base, and re-pointed at far less cost than a full re-lay. Tarmac can be patched and top-dressed if the failures are localised. Resin-bound surfaces are harder to spot-repair — usually the affected section is fully relaid and edge-blended. Any quote for full demolition without inspecting the sub-base first is worth a second opinion. A good contractor will lift a corner of the existing surface, check the base condition, and only recommend a full re-lay if the base itself has failed.
Important
In Northern Ireland a permeable driveway (block paving with permeable joints, resin-bound, gravel) does not normally need planning permission. A non-permeable surface (concrete, asphalt, tarmac) larger than five square metres that drains to the road normally does require planning permission. Confirm in writing before signing.
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Practical guides
Before you hire a driveway contractor
Five-minute reads from the NI Trades editorial team on vetting, costs and consumer rights specific to Northern Ireland.