Paving contractor pricing in Aberdeen

Per-sqm installed: standard concrete driveway £40-£85; asphalt £35-£75; standard concrete block paving £55-£120; Aberdeen granite setts £140-£280 reclaimed, £180-£420 new-cut; Yorkshire sandstone £90-£185; Caithness flagstone £180-£380; permeable block paving £80-£180; resin-bound gravel £75-£140. Cults AB15, Bieldside AB15, Milltimber AB13, Royal Deeside premium of 25-40% above standard. VAT 20% as separate line.

Typical 30-50sqm driveway runs £3,500-£18,000 depending on material. Quote separately: excavation and disposal, sub-base (150mm Type 1 MOT for freeze-thaw), sand bedding or screed, paving material, edging restraints, jointing and sealing, vehicle crossing licence (£250-£800) if street-facing. Add salt-resistant block paving premium (£20-£40/sqm) for coastal-exposed Cove AB12, Bridge of Don AB22. State SuDS compliance on every quote.

Yes, on most jobs. Scottish Building Standards Section 3 (environment) requires SuDS on most renovations and new construction; stricter than English equivalent. Permeable paving qualifies. Quote permeable block paving (£80-£180/sqm), soakaway crates (£1,200-£4,500 each), and rain garden tie-ins as separate lines. Standard impermeable driveway over 5sqm needs SuDS sign-off.

Yes, niche premium revenue. Pre-1900 granite-heritage areas (AB10 Rubislaw Den, West End, Mannofield, AB24 Old Aberdeen, AB25 Rosemount) and Conservation Areas have extensive original Aberdeen granite setts (Rubislaw and Kemnay quarries). Quote restoration at £140-£280/sqm for sett relaying with matched reclaimed Aberdeen granite. New-cut Aberdeen granite setts £180-£420/sqm (specialist; matched local quarry sourcing). Aberdeen City Council heritage department reviews any sett replacement in Conservation Areas.

Any new vehicle access from public road needs Aberdeen City Council vehicle crossing (dropped kerb) licence (£250-£800). Quote licence fee and crossing construction (£1,500-£3,500 per standard crossing) as separate line. Aberdeenshire Council (Cults AB15, Bieldside AB15, Milltimber AB13, Bucksburn AB21) has similar process. Lead time 4-10 weeks.

Per square metre rates are £50 to £175 installed in the US, depending on paver type. Hourly rates (£28-95) only apply for repairs and small remediation work. Most paving contractors quote fixed-price per sqm with adders for pattern, edging, and drainage.

Concrete is cheaper (£16/sqm material), softer, may need re-sealing every 3-5 years, and weathers over time. Porcelain is more expensive (£50/sqm+), harder, requires no sealing, and looks like-new at year 20. Concrete dominates driveways; porcelain dominates patios and pools.

A driveway over poor sub-base sinks 30-100mm over 5 years, cracks pavers, and pools water. Quality sub-base (100-150mm of CBR-tested crushed rock, compacted in lifts) keeps the surface flat for 20+ years. Most failed paving traces to sub-base, not the pavers.

Yes, 2-3 quotes for any paving over £1,870. Compare paver brand, sub-base depth, edging spec, and drainage approach. The cheapest quote almost always cuts sub-base or skips edging, both of which fail within 3-5 years.

If the driveway connects to a public road or changes a council kerb crossing, almost always yes. Council layback permits are £155-1,200 depending on region. The paving contractor should include this in the quote, not hide it.