Driveway quote template for UK builders and groundworkers.
Muck-away and sub-base depth are where driveway quotes go wrong.
Free driveway quote template for UK builders and groundworkers. Covers dig-out and muck-away, sub-base, edging, drainage, block paving or concrete, labour, stage payments and exclusions.
What should a driveway quote include?
A driveway quote should state the area and the finish, then split the dig-out depth and muck-away, membrane, sub-base type and depth, edging and haunching, drainage (a channel or soakaway so water doesn't run to the house), the bedding layer, the paving or concrete, jointing sand, plant hire and labour. Add exclusions such as dropped kerbs and council permission, unknown services and hidden obstructions, and set the payment stages.
Source note: Prepared from the QuoteBuild quoting structure. The example is fictional arithmetic, not a construction specification or price guide. Check site conditions, drainage design, permissions, measured quantities and current supplier prices for the actual job.
Driveway estimate example: 50 m² block paving
Fictional arithmetic example for about 50 m² of block paving dug out to around 250mm. Not a driveway price guide. Replace every line with measured quantities and current prices. VAT not included.
| Cost or calculation | Amount |
|---|---|
| Preliminaries and site clean | £815.00 |
| Dig-out, muck-away, sub-base and drainage | £1,520.00 |
| Blocks, kerbs, sand, membrane and compactor | £2,085.00 |
| Paving and groundwork labour | £2,220.00 |
| Total cost | £6,640.00 |
| Markup (25% of cost) | £1,660.00 |
| Selling price before VAT | £8,300.00 |
Markup is calculated on cost. Gross margin is calculated on the selling price: this example gives 20.0% gross margin before VAT.
Check markup and margin with your own figuresMeasure and state the finish
Record the area in m², whether the finish is block, resin, tarmac or concrete, and the pattern and colour. Say who chooses the materials.
Price the dig-out properly
State the excavation depth, the number of grab lorries or skips for muck-away, and any tree roots or old slabs.
Sub-base and edging
State the MOT Type 1 depth and tonnage, compaction, edging kerbs and haunching.
Drainage
Allow for a channel drain at the house or a soakaway and state where the water will drain. In England, front-garden paving over 5 m² needs planning permission if it is impermeable and does not drain to a permeable area. Check the proposed surface, drainage and any site-specific restrictions with the council before work starts.
Paving and labour
Include the bedding layer, blocks or concrete, cutting, jointing sand and the gang's days. For a concrete driveway quote template, replace the paving lines with formwork, mesh, concrete volume, finishing and expansion joints.
Exclusions and stages
State whether the dropped kerb and council permission, unknown services and manhole adjustments are excluded or allowed for. Set out the payment stages.
Check the primary sources.
What to do before you send the price.
Step 1
Measure the area and agree the finish.
Step 2
Price dig-out, muck-away and sub-base.
Step 3
Add edging, drainage and paving materials.
Step 4
Add plant hire and labour days.
Step 5
Add overhead, contingency, margin, VAT, stages and exclusions.
Free download
Send me the builder quote template.
You will get the spreadsheet template and calculator. If you want the quote-to-profit workflow, start the trial after.
Keep pricing the job properly.
Landscaper quote template
Cover the wider garden scope alongside driveway work.
Read guide
Builder quote template
Use the wider builder structure for the rest of the job.
Read guide
Day rate calculator
Check the labour allowance for your gang.
Read guide
Construction margin calculator
Check markup on cost and margin on the selling price.
Read guide
Quick answers.
Should a driveway quote include the dropped kerb?
It's usually a separate council process and cost, so list it as an exclusion or provisional sum.
How do I quote a concrete driveway instead?
Keep the same dig-out, sub-base, edging and drainage lines, then swap the paving lines for formwork, mesh, concrete volume, finishing and expansion joints.
How deep should the sub-base be?
It depends on the ground and the vehicles. State the depth you've allowed for, so a deeper dig is a priced change.
Is the driveway quote template free?
Yes. Use the structure here and request the free template by email.
Who is this template for?
It is for UK builders and trade businesses checking a real job before they create a saved estimate or client quote.