A resin-bound driveway is only as good as the day it is laid. Across Hampshire we install fully permeable, SuDS-compliant resin-bound surfaces from £65–£110 per m², every one backed by a written 10-year installation guarantee — and this page shows exactly what happens on site, stage by stage.
Example: 42m² Mocha resin-bound driveway with new granite setts edging, Waterlooville (PO7), base to handover in 3 days, vehicles back on after 24 hours.
Installation Timeline: From Old Drive to Handover
| Stage | What we do | Typical time | Hour gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Survey & base check | Test existing tarmac/concrete for cracks, movement and falls; decide overlay or dig-out | Before booking | Written fixed quote in 24h |
| 2. Base preparation | Overlay: clean, repair and prime. Dig-out: excavate, lay compacted MOT Type 1 and a porous binder course | Day 1 (1–2 days for dig-outs) | Base must be dry and sound |
| 3. Edging & drainage | Set edge restraints, raise manhole frames to recess covers, fit drainage channels where the drive falls to the house | Day 1–2 | Bedding mortar set overnight |
| 4. Mix & lay | Kiln-dried aggregate mixed with two-part UV-stable aliphatic resin in a forced-action mixer, hand-trowelled at 15–18mm in continuous sections | Day 2–3 (pour day) | Dry forecast, above 5°C |
| 5. Cure | Surface left to cure; area taped off | Same day | Foot traffic 4–6h · Vehicles 24h |
| 6. Handover | Walk-round, care advice and written 10-year guarantee | Final day | Guarantee issued |
Timings are for a typical 30–60m² Hampshire front drive. Large dig-outs or heavy clay sub-soils can add a day.
Stage 1 — The Base Decides Whether It Lasts
Most resin failures we are asked to repair across Hampshire trace back to the base, not the resin. On a survey we check whether existing tarmac or concrete is sound enough to overlay, or whether it needs breaking out and rebuilding with compacted MOT Type 1 and a porous binder course. This is also when edging, drainage and manhole frames are set — they cannot be fixed properly once the resin is down. Paying for correct base work is always cheaper than replacing a surface that fails in year three.
Stage 2 — Mixing and Laying the Resin
On pour day we mix kiln-dried aggregate with a two-part, UV-stable aliphatic resin in a forced-action mixer, batch by batch, so every section has the same ratio. The mix is hand-trowelled to 15–18mm depth in continuous runs to avoid visible joins. Aliphatic resin keeps light colours such as Buff and Pearl from yellowing in the sun, which matters on south-facing Hampshire drives. The finished surface stays fully permeable, so rainwater drains through rather than onto the road.
Curing, Weather and When You Can Drive On It
Resin needs a dry window to cure: you can walk on it after 4–6 hours and park on it after 24 hours. Rain on uncured resin can cloud the finish, so we watch the forecast closely and will move a pour day rather than risk it — you are never charged for a weather reschedule. In colder months we plan pours for the warmest part of the day. Once cured, the drive is ready for daily use and your written guarantee is issued.
Installation Questions We Get Asked
Can you lay resin over my existing tarmac?
Often, yes — if the tarmac is sound, with no deep cracks or movement. We confirm on the free survey; if it is not sound we will tell you and quote a proper dig-out instead.
How much disruption is there?
Most Hampshire drives take 2–4 days. You will lose use of the drive for the pour day plus 24 hours of curing — we agree parking arrangements with you beforehand.
Do I need planning permission for the installation?
Not for a permeable resin-bound surface that drains within your boundary. See our planning permission guide for the exceptions.
What does installation cost?
£65–£110 per m² fully installed, depending on base work, access, edging and drainage. The cost per m² guide shows typical totals by driveway size.
Related Hampshire Guides
- Resin Driveway Installation & Scenarios Hub
- Resin Driveway Cost Per m² in Hampshire
- Free Resin Driveway Quotes in Hampshire
- SuDS-Compliant Permeable Driveways in Hampshire
- Do Resin Driveways Need Planning Permission?
- How Long a Resin Driveway Lasts
- Resin driveways in Waterlooville
- Resin driveways in Havant
- All seasonal driveway services
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Call 07384 599889 or request a free written quote online — no-obligation written quote within 24 hours. No deposit required.
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Read the homeowner's guide: How a resin driveway is installed — step by step.
