Driveway Cost Calculator NZ 2026

Quick answer: Driveway cost is the surface area multiplied by a rate per square metre, plus site preparation, plus a contingency. A 40 m² driveway at $120 per square metre is $4,800 of surfacing, and with $1,000 of preparation and a 10% contingency of $580 the job comes to $6,380, or about $160 per square metre all up.

This calculator estimates the cost of a sealed driveway in New Zealand, whether you are pouring plain or exposed-aggregate concrete, laying asphalt, or setting pavers. A driveway is one of the larger one-off spends around a home, and the price per square metre varies a lot by surface, so a realistic estimate up front helps you choose a finish and avoid bill shock. As a rough guide, plain concrete often runs around $100 to $150 a square metre supplied and laid, exposed aggregate and decorative finishes are higher at roughly $150 to $250, asphalt tends to be a little cheaper than plain concrete for larger areas, and quality paving sits in the middle to upper range depending on the product. On top of the surface itself there is usually site preparation: excavation, a compacted base course, formwork or edging, and sometimes drainage or a crossing to the kerb, which is why a contingency is wise. You enter the driveway area in square metres, choose the surface, which sets a typical rate, add a figure for preparation and any extras, and choose a contingency. The calculator returns the total estimated cost, split into the surface cost, your extras and the contingency, along with the cost per square metre so you can check a quote on a fair basis. Use it to budget, to compare concrete against asphalt, or to decide whether a smaller or simpler driveway would bring the project within reach. Rates differ by region, access and site condition, so treat this as a planning estimate and get firm quotes from local contractors before committing.

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Driveway area (m²)

Surface

Prep, base & extras

Contingency

$6,380

estimated driveway cost

Surface$4,800

Prep & extras$1,000

Contingency$580

Per m²$160

Indicative rates supply and laid. Excavation, base course, drainage and a kerb crossing can add a lot. An estimate; get quotes.

How it works

The surface cost is the area times the rate for the chosen finish. Preparation and extras are added, then a contingency percentage is applied to the surface plus extras. The per square metre figure divides the total by the area, so you can compare it against a contractor's per-square-metre quote.

Worked example

A 40 square metre plain concrete driveway at $120 a square metre is $4,800 of surface. Adding $1,000 for the base and edging and a 10 percent contingency of $580 gives a total of about $6,380, which is roughly $160 a square metre all in. Switching to exposed aggregate at $190 a square metre would lift the surface alone to $7,600.

Related calculators

Gravel Driveway Cost: loose-surface driveway.
Concrete Calculator: concrete volume.
Excavation Volume: dig and cart volume.
Landscaping Cost: the wider yard.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a concrete driveway cost in NZ?

Plain concrete is often around $100 to $150 a square metre supplied and laid, with exposed aggregate and decorative finishes higher at roughly $150 to $250. Preparation, drainage and a kerb crossing can add significantly, so always budget a contingency.

Is asphalt cheaper than concrete?

For larger driveways asphalt is often a little cheaper per square metre than plain concrete and is quicker to lay, but concrete generally lasts longer and offers more finishes. This calculator lets you compare the two by switching the surface.

What is not included in the surface rate?

The surface rate covers the finished material laid, but site works such as excavation, a compacted base course, formwork, drainage and a vehicle crossing to the road are extra. Enter these under prep and extras, and keep a contingency for surprises.