Re-gravelling and gravel driveway repairs

Re-gravelling and repairs for tired, thin or weedy gravel drives: top-ups, membrane and base repairs or a full re-lay. Typical UK prices per square metre.

In short: Re-gravelling and repairs bring a tired gravel drive back to life, from a simple top-up of fresh stone to lifting the gravel, repairing the base and membrane and relaying it. It suits drives that have gone thin, rutted or weedy. In the UK, re-gravelling usually costs £15 to £35 per square metre, with base repairs or a full re-lay costing more.

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Re-gravelling and gravel driveway repairs

Gravel drives lose stone over time. It gets carried out on tyres and shoes, pushed into borders, pressed into the base and occasionally cleared by snow shovels. When the layer drops below about 30mm, the base starts to show, the surface ruts more easily and weeds find a home. A top-up of matching stone, usually around 20mm to 30mm, is often all that is needed.

If the drive is rutted, has bald or sunken patches, or has turned into a mix of mud and stone, a top-up will only hide the problem for a while. The proper fix is to scrape back the gravel, repair or replace the membrane, rebuild and recompact the sub-base where it has failed, add grids if stone migration is the issue, and then relay clean gravel to the right depth.

What is included

Inspection of gravel depth, membrane condition and base
Weed and moss removal before any new stone goes down
Raking out ruts and redistributing existing gravel
Top-up of matching or new gravel to the correct depth
Lifting and screening or replacing contaminated gravel
Repair or replacement of damaged membrane
Rebuilding sunken areas of sub-base and refitting edging
Optional addition of stabilising grids in problem areas

Who it is for

Drives where the base or membrane is starting to show through
Rutted drives with puddles in the wheel tracks
Weedy drives where the membrane has failed or was never fitted
Owners wanting a fresh look or a different colour of stone
Properties being prepared for sale or a new tenancy

How much does it cost?

As a guide, re-gravelling a drive in the UK usually costs around £15 to £35 per square metre. Where the membrane and base need repairs, or the drive needs a full lift and re-lay, prices are typically closer to £30 to £70 per square metre. See our full cost guide.

How it works

How re-gravelling and gravel driveway repairs works, step by step

Inspect

The depth of gravel, state of the membrane and firmness of the base are checked in several places.

Clear and level

Weeds are removed, ruts raked out and existing stone redistributed to show where new material is needed.

Repair

Failed sections of membrane, base or edging are lifted and rebuilt, with grids added where agreed.

Top up and finish

Fresh gravel is spread and raked to an even depth across the whole drive.

Re-gravelling and gravel driveway repairs: FAQs

How often does a gravel drive need topping up?

It depends on how much it is used and how well it is edged, but a top-up every three to five years is typical for a busy drive. Drives with grids and solid edging lose much less stone. Keeping an eye on the depth, and topping up before the base shows, is cheaper than waiting until the surface fails.

Can I use a different gravel for the top-up?

You can, but mixing colours and sizes rarely looks good, and rounded stone mixed into angular stone makes the surface less stable. If you want a new look, it is usually better to put down enough of the new gravel to cover the old completely, or to scrape off and replace the top layer. Matching the existing stone is best for a simple top-up.

Why is my gravel drive sinking in places?

Sunken patches usually mean the sub-base was too thin, not compacted properly, or is sitting on soft or wet ground. Leaking drains and tree roots can also cause it. Adding more gravel will not stop the sinking. The gravel needs to be pulled back, the cause found and the base rebuilt and compacted before the surface is relaid.

Is it worth repairing an old gravel drive or replacing it?

If the base is mostly sound and the problems are thin gravel and a few soft spots, repair is usually best value. If most of the drive is rutted, muddy or sinking, the base has probably failed across the board, and a full dig-out and rebuild will last much longer than repeated patching.