Driveways can add an unparalleled amount of convenience and curbside appeal to your new build, so it’s definitely worth considering as an extra in your plans! But how much does one cost? And are they a worthwhile investment for building in Australia?
Today we’re looking at everything you need to know about driveway costs in Australia, depending on things like materials, sizes, and much more. Keep reading below to find out more!
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What influences driveway prices?
There are plenty of considerations to take when it comes to planning your driveway, especially those that will influence the overall cost. Some of these include:
Size and length of the driveway
The size and length of the driveway will obviously influence the overall cost, as the larger the overall area you choose, the more you’ll need to pay for materials, labour, and any maintenance required. On the flip side, the smaller the driveway you choose, the more money you can save in the long run, so we recommend asking yourself whether you really need enough space for five cars!
Site conditions
The area where you’re planning on building your driveway will also affect its cost, as the more work that needs to be done to the site, the more time and labour it will take to get it to its final position. For example, if you want to place your driveway on a piece of land with lots of ruts and holes, or plants that need digging up, your contractor is going to charge you for the time taken for them to landscape. You’ll then have to pay the full price for the driveway on top of this, too.
Access to the site
Another consideration that might drive costs up is whether your contractor has full access to your site or not. Most driveways should be at the front of the house, so there’s often no cause for concern – but if you’re planning on putting it somewhere else without complete access, your contractor might add extra labour costs to your bill.
Driveway material options and their costs
The type of material you choose for your driveway is another thing to consider when budgeting, as some are much more expensive than others. Here are the most common materials and the price you can expect to pay:
Concrete driveways
Average cost per square metre: $110 to $180
Plain concrete ($110 to $130 per sqm) is one of the cheapest materials you could choose, but it’s also the most basic. If you’re looking for a way to build an effective driveway on the cheap, then concrete might be the best option for you. With the right care, these have been proven to last for around 20 to 30 years! That’s nothing to turn your nose up at.
You can also choose coloured concrete ($120 to $180 per sqm) as this tends to stain less than plain concrete and is just as long-lasting. However, make sure you consider that coloured concrete doesn’t always match your desired finish, so there’s room for error when creating these.
Asphalt driveways
Average cost per square metre: $25 to $100
Asphalt is one of the go-to materials for larger driveways as it’s very durable, flexible, and long-lasting. It’s also often manufactured to meet Australian standards, so you don’t have to worry about the climate interfering with your driveway. Many people find that asphalt driveways require less maintenance than other surfacing materials, so you might even find that you have to spend less on repairs and resurfacing in the long run.
Paver driveways
Average cost per square metre: $50 to $100
Paved driveways are much more common in small suburban places, but you often won’t see them for larger driveways as they tend to come with more labour costs. However, the great thing about paver driveways is that you have many options to choose from, including:
- Clay bricks
- Limestone
- Coloured concrete
- Granite
- Sandstone
So you can really create the look you’re going for with all the potential options! Another thing that adds to the cost of paver driveways is the sub-base you may need to add if it’s in a high-traffic area, along with frequent maintenance.
Gravel driveways
Average cost per square metre: $20 to $100
Along with concrete, gravel is another super popular option for driveways. They tend to be cheaper, although this will depend on what type of gravel you choose. Prices will also differ depending on transportation costs, so we always recommend shopping locally.
The issue with gravel driveways is that they’re prone to ruts and sinkholes, and the surface tends to spray dust when a car drives over it. These downsides will undoubtedly increase your maintenance costs, and you may find yourself sweeping up gravel more often than you’d like.
Average driveway installation costs
On average, here’s how much the most common driveway materials cost per square metre:
- Concrete driveways: Between $110 and $180
- Asphalt driveways: Between $25 and $100
- Paver driveways: Between $50 and $100
- Gravel driveways: Between $20 and $100
Remember, these are just estimates and there are plenty of exceptions that might make your driveway cost more or less than these figures. The best way to find out the average cost of your proposed driveway is to shop around and get quotes from multiple contractors to compare against each other.
Driveway design considerations
When designing your driveway, there’s plenty for you to think about before choosing the final look, including:
- Weather conditions: If you’re building somewhere that gets a lot of extreme weather, you might want to make sure the materials you choose can withstand them
- Size: It’s essential that you know how many cars you want to be able to fit on your driveway before planning anything and guessing the correct size
- Drainage requirements: Driveways without insufficient drainage can damage the materials chosen if a proper system isn’t installed first
- Maintenance: If you don’t think you have enough time to maintain your driveway every few weeks, we recommend choosing a material that doesn’t need so much TLC
Costs for permits and council approval
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to know how much you’ll need to pay for council approval before building your driveway, as the cost of this is determined by the cost of your proposed work, how complex your plans are, and the number of building inspections you’ll need.
The easiest way to work out how much you’ll need to cost for your permit is to contact your local council for a quote. Your contractor might also have more knowledge on this after seeing your proposed plans.
Additional costs to consider
Here are some extra costs you might need to consider when building your driveway:
- Excavation of land to accommodate the driveway
- Drainage systems
- Foundation or sub-base
- Dropped kerb work
- Planning permission
- Maintenance
- Labour costs
- Landscaping around the driveway
Our tips on choosing the right driveway for your new home
Just like most other decisions you need to make when it comes to building your home, choosing the right driveway for your new build is incredibly important. Here are a few tips we recommend doing to make sure you choose the best option for you:
- Preparation work is super important: Landscaping and excavation is going to cost you lots more money, so if you can do this yourself before getting contractors involved, we highly recommend it!
- Shop around for experienced builders: Look for a contractor who has built similar driveways to what you envision for your own build, and don’t settle for less
- Take advice from professionals: It can be disappointing when you have an idea in your head that’s shot down, but professionals often know what they’re doing – make sure you listen to their ideas and recommendations on things like materials, drainage, and more
- Consider your budget: Driveways can improve your curbside appeal, so we get wanting to make it look nice – but don’t get carried away and forget your budget!
- Get to know your vehicle’s needs: If your car has a tendency to get flat tyres or is super low to the ground, it’s worth choosing a driveway that will work best with it rather than hindering its ability to drive
Get free advice on your new build from an experienced building broker
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