Driveways in Stafford – Costs, Surfaces and What to Expect

If you’re looking into a new driveway in Stafford, you’ve probably already noticed there’s no shortage of companies willing to give you a quote. What there is a shortage of is straight answers about what things actually cost, how long the job takes, and what surface is going to work best for your property. This guide covers all of that. Maughan Construction’s team install driveways across Stafford and the wider Staffordshire area, and the information below reflects what homeowners in this area are actually dealing with in 2026.

How Much Does a Driveway Cost in Stafford?

Cost is almost always the first question, so let’s get straight into it.

Prices in Stafford sit broadly in line with the rest of Staffordshire, which means you’re paying for decent-quality materials and proper groundwork rather than the cheapest crew that could undercut on the day. There are three main surfaces most homeowners in the area choose between: tarmac, block paving, and tegula paving.

Tarmac comes in at around £100 per square metre for a quality installation. On a typical Stafford semi with a double-width drive of around 40 square metres, that works out to roughly £4,000. That’s not a budget figure. What it buys you is a properly laid, machine-finished surface with a clean edge, proper sub-base preparation, and a finish that’s going to last rather than crack and sink after two winters.

Block paving runs closer to £70 per square metre for standard concrete blocks, though that’s for the block element specifically. The overall project cost depends on the pattern, the edging detail, and how much groundwork is needed. A 40sqm double drive in block paving typically lands somewhere between £3,500 and £5,000 depending on the specification.

Tegula paving sits above both in cost, but homeowners who choose it tend to be looking for a specific aesthetic. The distinctive textured face and 3D edge gives a period property something that standard block paving can’t quite replicate.

If any company is quoting you significantly below these figures, it’s worth asking what they’re leaving out. In most cases it’s the sub-base, the edging, or both.

What’s Included in a Proper Installation?

This is where a lot of the confusion comes from. Two quotes for “a tarmac driveway” can differ by thousands of pounds and still technically be for the same job. The difference is what sits underneath.

A properly installed driveway starts with the excavation of the existing surface, usually to a depth of 200 to 250mm. After that comes a compacted hardcore sub-base, typically MOT Type 1 stone, which provides the structural foundation. Without it, any surface on top will move. With tarmac you’ll then have a base course layer before the wearing course goes on top. With block paving, a bed of sharp sand or concrete mortar goes between the sub-base and the blocks.

When Ted Maughan and the team quote a job in Stafford, all of that is included. There’s no deposit required either, which means no money changes hands until you’re satisfied with the finished result.

Tarmac Driveways in Stafford

Tarmac is the most popular choice across Stafford and the surrounding villages, and for straightforward reasons. It’s quick to install, typically two to three days for a standard residential drive. It’s low maintenance in the early years. And the finished result looks clean and neat without requiring any specific pattern decisions.

The main thing to understand about tarmac is that it comes in a standard black, though coloured options do exist. Red tarmac is probably the most common alternative, and some homeowners in Stafford use it to differentiate their property or pick up on brick tones in the front elevation. Standard black tarmac installed at the quality end of the market will look good for 15 to 20 years with minimal attention beyond the occasional reseal.

For Stafford’s older housing stock, particularly the semis and detacheds around Wildwood, Weeping Cross, and Baswich, tarmac often makes more sense than block paving. The drives tend to be larger, the kerb appeal needs to go up rather than just across, and homeowners generally want something done in a few days rather than a week.

Block Paving in Stafford

Block paving suits Stafford well, partly because of the town’s mix of housing. From the Victorian terraces closer to the town centre through to the larger 1990s-built properties out towards Hixon and Eccleshall, there’s plenty of variety. Block paving gives you design flexibility that tarmac doesn’t: different colours, patterns, and border details that can be matched to the brick or stonework of the house.

The practical upside that often gets overlooked is repairability. If a section of block paving settles or a utility company needs to dig up a section of the drive, individual blocks can be lifted and relaid. With tarmac, any repair is visible. With block paving, a skilled installer can get it almost invisible.

The block paving cost guide on the Driveway Guys blog covers the full pricing breakdown if you want to work through the numbers before getting a quote.

Tegula Paving in Stafford

Tegula isn’t right for every property, but for the right house it makes a real difference. The textured face and bevelled edge give it a handmade, period feel that works particularly well on older detached homes and on properties with stone or red brick frontages.

It costs more than standard block paving, and it’s a longer installation process. If you’re on a tight budget, tarmac or standard block paving will give you a better outcome for the money. But if you’re planning to stay in a property long-term and want a driveway that looks like it belongs there rather than just a surface that does the job, tegula is worth budgeting for.

How Long Does a Driveway Installation Take in Stafford?

For most residential properties in Stafford, the timeline runs like this:

A tarmac driveway on a standard double drive is typically a two-day job. Day one covers the excavation, any adjustments to drainage, and the sub-base compaction. Day two covers the tarmac itself. Larger drives or ones with more complex groundwork might stretch to three days.

Block paving takes a little longer. The preparation is similar, but laying the blocks, cutting edges, and compacting the finished surface with kiln-dried sand adds time. Most block paving jobs in the Stafford area run three to five days.

Ted and the team keep disruption to a minimum throughout. The drive will usually be accessible again within 24 hours of the tarmac going down, and block paving is walkable almost immediately, though you’d want to keep vehicles off for a day or two.

Finding a Reliable Driveway Company in Stafford

Stafford has its fair share of companies working the area, and the usual advice applies: get at least three quotes, ask to see completed local jobs, and be cautious of anyone asking for a large upfront deposit. A reputable company won’t need one.

Maughan Construction cover Stafford as part of their wider Staffordshire service area. With over 30 years of experience and 400 five-star reviews, Ted and his team work to the same standard regardless of whether the job is in Stafford, Stoke, or anywhere in between. Every job comes with a full workmanship guarantee and no deposit is taken until you’re happy.

You can get a free, no-obligation quote by calling 07500 042119 or 01782 986953.

Which Surface Is Right for Your Stafford Home?

There’s no universal answer, but there are some useful pointers.

If you want the job done quickly and you’re not attached to a particular look, tarmac is hard to beat. It’s tidy, durable, and cost-effective. For a detailed comparison of tarmac versus block paving, the Driveway Guys blog has a full breakdown of both.

If you want design flexibility and you’re happy to pay a bit more, block paving gives you options tarmac can’t. If you’ve got an older property and you want something that looks genuinely well-considered rather than just functional, tegula is worth a conversation.

Whatever you choose, getting the groundwork right is the part that matters most. The surface on top is what you see. The sub-base underneath is what makes it last.