Published prices, with the scope attached
There is no single UK tariff for driveway or patio cleaning. Below is a representative Bristol contractor rate schedule, surveyed in September 2026. It serves as a concrete scope comparison example, not a national average, a negotiated offer or a LocalAnyDay quote.
An example from Bristol
Use these advertised bands as a starting point for scope questions.
| Surface | Advertised area | Listed price |
|---|---|---|
| Patio | Up to 25 m² | £140 |
| Patio | 25-50 m² | £220 |
| Patio | 50-100 m² | £295 |
| Driveway | Up to 50 m² | £230 |
| Driveway | 50-75 m² | £285 |
| Driveway | 75-100 m² | £330 |
VAT is not always included in headline rates. Always request the final VAT-inclusive total. Typical scope includes patio stain/growth treatment and driveway re-sanding; confirm what applies to your paving before work starts.
Do not compare an empty scope
Write down whether each quote includes the same area, stain treatment, joint material, clean-up and any return visit. If one price includes re-sanding and another does not, the lower headline may not be the cheaper finished job.
Treat sealing as a separate decision, with the named product, surface compatibility, finish and drying conditions explained. It is not automatically required because a drive has been washed.
Measure once, compare like for like
Measure length × width in metres. Split an L-shaped patio into rectangles and add them; do not include flowerbeds. A 6 m × 4 m rectangle is 24 m². Mark slopes, steps and narrow access separately, because area alone does not describe the work.
For the calculator, exact boundaries use the lower band: 25 m² is the small patio band and 50 m² is the medium band. The provider’s written ranges overlap at those boundaries, so confirm their interpretation before relying on a price.
Ask for the final total
Before agreeing, confirm VAT, parking or travel charges, water supply, disposal and any minimum charge. Ask what happens if the weather prevents joint finishing or sealing. A written total and scope are more useful than an unsupported cost-per-metre promise.
Sources behind this guide
Official guidance, municipal regulations, and material standards referenced across this guide.
- Marshalls: cleaning block paving
Material care, joint disturbance and following cleaning-product instructions.
Checked 2026-09-13 - GOV.UK: pollution prevention for businesses
Controlling contaminated wash water in England.
Checked 2026-09-13