Last checked
May 22, 2026
We checked the page logic, support notes, and related links on this page.
Project planner
Plan the base layers before the driveway quote
Driveway base costs rise or fall on depth, compaction, membrane, delivery access, and the difference between fill and finished surface material. Plan those layers before comparing quotes.
6 linked calculatorsScope checklistProject sequence
driveway base calculatordriveway materials calculatorhardcore and type 1 calculator
How to use it
Planning before buying
Use this planner to keep the measurements, material list, and quote scope aligned before anyone prices the work.
Why trust it
See how the site is maintained
Read the calculator methodology and editorial policy for the standards behind these pages.
Measure first
Take these measurements once, then reuse them through the calculators so the order, budget, and quote request stay aligned.
- Driveway length and width, including parking bays or turning areas
- Excavation depth, fill depth, and compacted sub-base depth
- Membrane roll size, overlap, and edge return allowance
- Final gravel or surfacing depth
- Delivery access, storage space, and disposal route
Planning order
Work through the job in this order so the visible finish, hidden layers, accessories, and cost checks are not priced as separate guesses.
Step 1
Measure the driveway footprint
Measure the working area and any widened turning, parking, or edge zones so the membrane, base, and surface all use the same scope.
Open Driveway Gravel CalculatorStep 2
Estimate fill or hardcore where levels need building up
Keep deeper fill separate from the compacted top layer. Soft spots, level corrections, and old driveway removal can add more hardcore than the clean area suggests.
Open Hardcore CalculatorStep 3
Calculate the compacted Type 1 or sub-base
Use the specified compacted depth and a realistic density so tonnes, loose loads, and bulk bags can be compared without hiding a shortfall.
Open MOT Type 1 CalculatorStep 4
Add membrane coverage
Allow for geotextile overlaps, edge turn-ups, and awkward cuts before the aggregate order is treated as complete.
Open Geotextile Membrane CalculatorStep 5
Compare the complete budget
Bring labour, excavation, disposal, edging, compaction, delivery, and contingency into the same view before asking contractors to price the work.
Open Driveway Cost CalculatorCalculators in this plan
Each calculator covers one decision in the job: quantity, coverage, depth, fixings, accessories, or budget. Keep the outputs together when you build the buying list.
Step 1Aggregates
Hardcore Calculator
Estimate hardcore volume, tonnes, and bulk-bag buying quantities for driveways, patio bases, shed bases, and general fill work.
Open calculatorStep 2Aggregates
MOT Type 1 Calculator
Estimate MOT Type 1 volume, tonnage, bulk-bag buying quantities, and rough delivery needs for driveways, paths, and compacted sub-base layers.
Open calculatorStep 3Aggregates
Sub-Base Calculator
Estimate sub-base volume, tonnes, and delivered quantity for paving, patios, paths, and driveway foundations before you order.
Open calculatorStep 4Drainage
Geotextile Membrane Calculator
Estimate geotextile membrane rolls, overlaps, and covered area for driveways, french drains, trenches, and separating aggregate layers.
Open calculatorStep 5Aggregates
Driveway Gravel Calculator
Estimate driveway gravel volume, bulk bags, tonnage, and rough cost from area and installed depth.
Open calculatorStep 6Project costs
Driveway Cost Calculator
Estimate driveway materials, labour, prep, and rough total cost from area, region, and contingency.
Open calculatorMaterial checklist
Treat this as the first pass at the buying list. Add product names, sizes, grades, and exclusions before sending it for a price.
- Hardcore or clean fill for level correction
- MOT Type 1 or specified sub-base material
- Geotextile membrane with overlaps
- Driveway gravel or chosen surface material
- Edging, compaction, delivery, and waste disposal
Common mistakes
These are the places where tidy measurement maths often breaks once products, delivery, site access, and labour are involved.
- Mixing loose fill depth with compacted depth
- Forgetting membrane overlap and edge turn-ups
- Choosing bags, bulk bags, or loose tonnes without checking delivery access and storage
Brief to send for pricing
Separate hardcore, Type 1, membrane, finish gravel, edging, labour, excavation, compaction, disposal, delivery access, and any assumed depth in the quote.
Guides worth checking
These pages cover the details that usually decide whether the calculator output is safe to order against.
Guide
Hardcore Quantity Guide
Work out how much hardcore you need, then sense-check tonnes, compaction, and bag versus loose delivery.
Guide
MOT Type 1 Calculator for Driveway
Estimate MOT Type 1 for driveway and patio sub-base depth, tonnage, bulk bags, and practical delivery quantities.
Guide
Sub-Base Quantity Guide
Work out how much sub-base you need, then sense-check tonnes, compaction, and merchant delivery options.
Guide
Gravel Calculator for Driveway
Estimate gravel for driveway area, depth, tonnage, and bags.
Related project plans
Open one of these when the job touches another surface, base layer, finish, or outdoor area.
Related workflow6 calculators
Patio Planner
A patio order is more than a slab count. Work from the finished area into slabs, Type 1, bedding sand, jointing, edge details, and budget checks before anything is ordered.
Related workflow5 calculators
Drainage Trench Planner
Drainage quotes are easier to compare when the trench is split into pipe, bedding, gravel surround, membrane, fittings, spoil, and reinstatement instead of one broad allowance.
Related workflow6 calculators
Garden Surface Planner
Garden surface jobs often mix lawn, soil, seed, bark, membrane, edging, and decorative gravel. Separate the areas before buying materials or asking for landscaping quotes.
Practical answers
Short answers for the decisions that usually come up before ordering materials or sending a quote request.
Should hardcore and Type 1 be calculated separately?
Yes when the build-up uses deeper fill plus a compacted top base. Keeping them separate makes the quote easier to compare.
What moves a driveway base estimate most?
Depth, compaction, density, delivery format, and access usually move the real order fastest.
Why does delivery format matter so much?
The same tonnage can price very differently as small bags, bulk bags, or loose loads, especially once access, unloading, and storage are included.