A new driveway is a hard-wearing surface for parking, such as block paving, resin bound gravel, tarmac or gravel, laid on an excavated and compacted sub-base with edging and drainage designed to carry vehicle loads and handle rainwater.
Whatever prompted you to look into a new driveway, whether wear and tear, a growing family or plans to move, we can survey your Oban home and give you a price in writing. Homes in Scotland typically come in at £3,800–£8,600, VAT included, for this kind of work. We also cover Fort William, Dunoon and Helensburgh, and the same steps apply wherever you are in Argyll and Bute.
- Guide price
- £3,800–£8,600 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Postcodes
- PA34
- Planning rules
- Scotland
- Local area
- Argyll and Bute
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a new driveway cost in Oban?
No two jobs cost exactly the same, but the ranges below give a fair picture of a new driveway in Oban. Pricing for Scotland runs about 4% below the national guide, and the overall guide is £3,800–£8,600 with VAT included. We'll confirm your figure after surveying the property for free.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Oban |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel or tarmac | A typical 40–50m² drive in gravel on a grid, or tarmac with block edging. | £1,900–£4,800 |
| Block paving or resin bound | A typical 40–50m² drive with sub-base, edging and drainage. | £3,800–£8,600 |
| Large or premium driveway | Larger drives, natural stone, walls, steps or a new dropped kerb. | £7,700–£15,500 |
Expect these to shape the final quote:
- Driveway area and the depth of excavation needed
- Surface: gravel, tarmac, block paving, resin or stone
- Drainage, soakaways and changes in level
- Edging, steps, walls and manhole adjustments
Scope of the work
- Survey of levels, drainage, manholes and access
- Edging kerbs or restraints to hold the surface in place
- Drainage channels or soakaway where needed
- Manhole covers raised or replaced to new levels
- New surface laid, compacted and finished
- Site cleared and waste removed
Local housing and a new driveway
Much of Argyll and Bute is rural and coastal, with whitewashed or harled stone cottages, slate roofs and island homes. Helensburgh has Victorian villas, Oban, Dunoon and Rothesay have Victorian seaside terraces, and post-war and newer housing surrounds the main towns.
Stone cottages need lime harling, repointing and slate roof repairs; villas may need roof and window renewal. Island and remote properties need the programme planned around ferries, deliveries and weather.
These patterns matter for a new driveway: older walls, roofs and floors in Oban can need different materials or extra preparation compared with newer homes.
Do you need permission in Oban?
For anyone in Oban, the relevant framework is Scotland's. The summary below is general, so we always contact the council about your address before putting a price in writing.
In Scotland, a hard surface in front of a house is usually permitted development if it is permeable or drains within the property. A dropped kerb or road opening needs consent from the council as roads authority.
A building warrant is not normally needed for a driveway.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
How does the job run?
A visit to your home
We arrange a free site survey on a date convenient to you. We measure up, look at the existing structure and access, and discuss your plans for a new driveway so the price reflects your home.
Quote in writing
We put everything into a written, fixed-price quote: the specification, what's excluded, staged payments and the expected time on site. Take whatever time you need to decide; there's no pressure to commit.
Plan and prepare
Before anyone starts, we confirm the programme in writing, check whether consents are required and arrange deliveries. If a skip or scaffolding on the road needs a permit, we apply for it.
Build and hand over
Work goes ahead as scheduled and you deal with one contact throughout. When the last trade leaves, we clear and clean the site, talk you through what has been done and pass on any certificates and care instructions.
Why homeowners choose us
Driveways in Oban: questions
Do I need planning permission for a driveway?
Whether a driveway needs planning permission depends on its size, surface and drainage, your home's location, whether it is listed or in a conservation area, and which UK nation you are in. In England, a new or replacement front driveway over 5m² needs permission unless it uses a permeable surface or drains to a lawn or border. We check the rules and design to suit.
How much will a new driveway cost in Oban?
As a guide, expect to pay £3,800–£8,600 including VAT for a new driveway in Oban. That range is adjusted for Scotland, which runs about 4% below the national guide. Where your project lands depends on size, materials, access and the condition of what is already there. We confirm a fixed price in writing after a free survey of your home.
Can I use my car during the work?
You will not be able to park on the driveway while it is being dug out and laid, so plan to park on the street or nearby for the duration. We keep a safe pedestrian route to your front door where possible. After completion, block paving and tarmac can usually be driven on straight away, while resin and concrete need a short curing period first.
How much does a new driveway cost?
A typical 40–50m² block paved or resin bound driveway costs £3,800–£8,600, including excavation, sub-base, edging and drainage. As a guide, allow roughly £70–£150 per square metre plus fixed costs for machinery and waste. Gravel and tarmac cost less, while natural stone, steps and walls cost more. A new dropped kerb is a separate cost. We confirm a fixed price after measuring.
Do I need planning permission in Oban?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Oban is in Scotland, so Scotland's rules apply. Many smaller jobs need no planning application, but some still need building control approval. We check what applies to your address before quoting.
Also covering areas around Oban
If your address falls within PA34, we cover it. The same goes for neighbouring Fort William, Dunoon and Helensburgh, which we include alongside Oban when arranging surveys and quotes.