Resin bound has become one of the most requested driveway finishes we install around St Austell, and the first question is nearly always about price. The honest answer is that it depends on a handful of practical things, so here is a clear breakdown so you can budget properly and spot a fair quote.
As a rough guide in Cornwall, a fully installed resin bound driveway laid over a suitable existing base typically falls between £45 and £70 per square metre. Laid onto a brand new permeable base that we build from scratch, you are usually looking at £90 to £130 per square metre once groundworks are included.
For a typical St Austell driveway of around 40 square metres, that means roughly £2,000 to £2,800 for a resurface, or £3,600 to £5,200 where a new sub-base and drainage are needed. Smaller paths and patios cost a little more per metre because the setup time is the same for a smaller area.
Most of the cost difference comes from what is underneath, not the resin itself. A sound, well draining concrete or tarmac base can often be reused, which keeps things affordable. A tired or cracked base, or bare ground, means excavation, a Type 3 permeable sub-base and an edge restraint before any resin goes down.
It can be tempting to lay resin over whatever is already there to save money, but resin bound is only ever as good as its base. If the surface below moves or holds water, the resin will eventually crack or lift, and you lose the saving many times over.
Resin bound is permeable, so when it sits on a properly built permeable base it usually counts as SUDS compliant and you avoid needing planning permission for surface water. That is worth checking in Cornwall, where many front gardens drain straight onto the road.
A reliable quote should be a written, fixed price after a site visit, not a figure given over the phone. Be wary of prices that look far cheaper than everyone else, as the corner being cut is almost always the base preparation or the resin to stone ratio.
Ask exactly what is included: the depth of the build up, the type of stone, the edging, drainage, and how mess and spoil are dealt with. A clear quote that lists these protects both of us and makes comparing two prices genuinely fair.
Laid correctly over a sound base, a resin bound surface should last 15 to 25 years. The base preparation matters far more to lifespan than the resin layer itself.
Often yes, if the existing concrete or tarmac is solid, drains well and is free of significant cracks. We will check it on a site visit, as resurfacing a poor base rarely lasts.
Usually not, because resin bound is permeable and water soaks through it rather than running off. You should still check if you are increasing the size of the driveway or altering access onto the road.
Got a job in mind across Cornwall or Devon? A quick call or message with Robert is usually all it takes to get a quote moving.