The short answer
Professional driveway cleaning in the UK typically costs around £3–£8 per square metre, depending on the surface and how dirty it is. By size that usually works out at roughly £80–£150 for a single-car driveway (around 20–30m²) and about £150–£300 for a double (around 40–60m²). Block paving sits at the higher end, typically £3.50–£6 per square metre, because the joints are re-sanded with kiln-dried sand as part of the clean. Two optional extras change the figure: re-sanding adds roughly £1.50–£2.50 per square metre if priced separately, and sealing adds about £3–£8 per square metre. The main drivers are the size of the drive, the surface material and how heavy the moss, weed and stain build-up is.
Price depends mainly on how many square metres you have, the surface material and how dirty it is. The figures below are typical prices for guidance on cleaning an existing driveway, not quotations.
Typical UK costs
- Jet-washing£3–£8 / m²
- Single-car drive~£80–£150
- Double drive~£150–£300
- Block paving£3.50–£6 / m²
- Sealing added£3–£8 / m²
What drives the price
- Surface area: you pay largely per square metre, so a double drive costs more than a single — size is the biggest single factor.
- Surface material: tarmac and concrete are straightforward to wash, while block paving costs more because the joints need re-sanding afterwards.
- Condition: heavy moss, weeds, algae or oil staining take longer and may need pre-treatment, pushing the price up.
- Extras: re-sanding and sealing are priced on top of the basic clean (see the sealing page).
| Item | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jet-washing | £3–£8 / m² | varies by surface & dirt level |
| Single-car driveway | ~£80–£150 | around 20–30m² |
| Double driveway | ~£150–£300 | around 40–60m² |
| Block paving clean | £3.50–£6 / m² | includes kiln-dried re-sanding |
| Re-sanding (if separate) | £1.50–£2.50 / m² | kiln-dried sand into joints |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: trade cost guides and cleaning specialists.
Why block paving costs more than tarmac
Block paving is washed the same way as any other surface, but the high-pressure water also lifts the jointing sand out from between the blocks. To leave the drive stable and weed-resistant, that sand has to be replaced with kiln-dried sand brushed into the joints at the end of the job. That extra step — included in a proper block paving clean — is why it usually sits at £3.50–£6 per square metre rather than the bottom of the range. If a quote for block paving looks unusually low, check whether re-sanding is actually included.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to clean a driveway?
Professional driveway cleaning in the UK typically costs around £3–£8 per square metre, which works out at roughly £80–£150 for a single-car driveway and about £150–£300 for a double, depending on the surface and how dirty it is.
Why does block paving cost more to clean?
Because pressure-washing lifts the jointing sand out from between the blocks, so a proper block paving clean includes re-sanding the joints with kiln-dried sand — an extra step that usually puts it at £3.50–£6 per square metre.
Why is the price range so wide?
Because surfaces differ. The size of the drive, the material and how much moss, weed and stain build-up there is all move the figure. A measured quote gives the accurate number for your driveway.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific surface. They are guidance, not a quotation.