Driveway Paving Cost: What Affects the Price per Square Metre

Driveway paving cost is quoted per square metre, but the number on the quote depends on far more than the pavers. The ground under your driveway, the paver you choose and the way water drains away all change the final price.

This guide explains what goes into a driveway quote in Cape Town. It will help you set a sensible budget and compare quotes from paving contractors on an equal footing.

How driveway paving cost is worked out

Most quotes start with the size of the area in square metres. A simple way to measure is length times width for each part of the driveway, then add the parts together.

The rate per square metre then covers a few separate items. Some quotes list them, some do not.

Paving cost per square metre: a rough guide

Here is a rough guide to supply and lay prices in Cape Town. Prices vary by supplier, site and season, so always get a quote for your own driveway.

Seven things that change driveway paving cost

1. The soil under the driveway

Cape Town has very different soils. Sandy ground on the Cape Flats drains well but moves if it is not compacted. Some northern suburbs have clay, which swells when wet and needs a deeper base.

2. The base depth

A thin base is the most common reason driveways sink. A proper base costs more at first, but it saves you paying for paving repairs a few years later.

3. Paver thickness and type

Thicker pavers and clay pavers cost more. For most home driveways, 60 mm concrete pavers on a good base are enough.

4. Pattern and cutting

Herringbone is strong for driveways but needs more cutting at the edges. Borders and two-colour designs also add labour.

5. Drainage and slope

Water must run away from the house and the garage. If the slope is wrong, the contractor may need to add channel drains or build up levels. Heavy winter rain quickly shows up any mistakes here.

6. Removing the old surface

Breaking out old concrete and carting away rubble takes time and skip hire. It is often a big part of the total.

7. Access to the site

If a truck cannot get close, materials must be moved by wheelbarrow. Narrow side access adds labour.

A simple way to budget for driveway paving cost

You can make a rough estimate before you call anyone. It will not be exact, but it helps you plan.

1. 1
   Measure the area
   Say your driveway is 5 metres wide and 8 metres long. That is 40 square metres.
2. 2
   Pick a rough rate
   Use the guide above. At around R450 per square metre, 40 square metres comes to about R18,000.
3. 3
   Add removal if needed
   If old concrete must come out, add the removal rate for the same area.
4. 4
   Add extras
   Kerbs, channel drains, steps or a border pattern all add to the total.
5. 5
   Keep a buffer
   Add about 10 percent for surprises like soft ground or old pipes under the surface.

This rough sum is only a starting point. Your real driveway paving cost will come from a site visit, where the contractor checks the soil, levels and access.

How a driveway is built, step by step

Knowing the steps helps you check that a quote covers everything.

1. 1
   Mark out and set levels
   The area is pegged and the fall for water is set, away from the house.
2. 2
   Excavate
   Soil or old concrete is removed to the depth needed for the base, sand and pavers.
3. 3
   Lay and compact the base
   Base material goes down in layers, each one compacted with a plate compactor.
4. 4
   Fit edging
   Kerbs or a concrete edge are set so the pavers cannot creep outward.
5. 5
   Lay sand and pavers
   Bedding sand is screeded flat and the pavers are laid in the chosen pattern, then cut at the edges.
6. 6
   Compact and fill joints
   The pavers are compacted and fine sand is brushed into the joints to lock them together.

Mistakes that push driveway paving cost up later

• Choosing the lowest quote that skips the base layer.
• No edging, so the pavers spread and gaps open up.
• Water draining towards the house or into the garage.
• Paving over tree roots or soft fill without removing it.
• Not topping up joint sand after the first rainy season.

A good paving job should look neat for many years. Our driveway paving work covers new driveways, pathways and paving repairs for sunken or broken areas.

Looking after your new driveway

A little care keeps the driveway level and clean.

• Top up joint sand once a year or after heavy rain.
• Wipe up oil drips quickly so they do not soak in.
• Book high pressure cleaning every year or two to remove moss, dirt and stains.
• Fix a sunken paver early, before water gets under the rest.
• Keep stormwater gullies clear. Our guide on blocked drains explains why this matters in winter.

If you plan to change the part of the driveway that crosses the pavement, check with the City of Cape Town first. That strip is usually public land and may need approval.

Driveway paving cost: common questions

The right driveway is built from the ground up. Talk to experienced paving contractors before you choose, and get a free quote so you know the real driveway paving cost for your home.