Costs & pricing

Concrete Laying Costs in Wales 2026: Driveways, Patios, and Slabs

4 min readUpdated May 2026By Rhodri Evans

Concrete Costs in Wales 2026

Concrete laying costs in Wales depend on thickness, finish, access, and sub-base preparation required.

Typical concrete costs in Wales (supply and lay, 2026):

Application Thickness Typical cost per sq m
Domestic driveway 100mm £75–£130
Domestic patio slab 100mm £65–£110
Garage floor 100mm reinforced £80–£140
Commercial yard/hardstanding 150mm reinforced £100–£175
Shed/outbuilding base 75mm £55–£90

Typical total job costs (Wales, 2026):

Job Area Typical cost
Standard driveway (30 sq m) 30 sq m £2,500–£4,500
Rear garden patio (25 sq m) 25 sq m £1,800–£3,200
Garage floor 18 sq m £1,500–£2,800

Sub-base preparation (excavation, hardcore, compaction) is usually included in these figures, confirm this when getting quotes.

Types of Concrete Finishes for Welsh Properties

Plain brushed concrete: The most economical finish. A brushed or broom finish provides slip resistance, important in Welsh wet conditions.

Exposed aggregate: A decorative finish where the top layer of cement is washed away to reveal the aggregate. More attractive than plain concrete and popular for driveways.

Pattern imprinted/stamped concrete: Textured to resemble block paving or stone. Higher cost but good appearance. Welsh contractors with experience in this finish can produce excellent results.

Coloured concrete: Pigment added to the mix. Maintains colour better than surface paint and suits contemporary properties.

Note for Welsh climate: Concrete is affected by freeze-thaw cycles. Welsh coastal and upland areas experience more cycles than southern England. Properly mixed and installed concrete with appropriate air entrainment handles this well, poor-quality concrete can crack or spall.

Common questions

How much does a concrete driveway cost in Wales in 2026?

A standard concrete driveway in Wales costs £75–130 per square metre in 2026. A typical 30 sq m driveway runs £2,500–4,500 including sub-base preparation, concrete supply, laying, and finishing.

Is concrete or block paving better for a Welsh driveway?

Both work well in Wales. Concrete is generally cheaper for larger areas and requires no long-term maintenance other than occasional power washing. Block paving is more flexible (individual blocks can be replaced) and easier to repair. In very wet or frosty areas, quality block paving with proper jointing can actually perform better than concrete.

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