Getting an accurate set of measurements is the first step to a smooth resin driveway quote. Measure carefully and you avoid surprise revisions, delays and unnecessary extra site visits once work is booked in. Resin Driveway Experts has over 30 years of experience installing and maintaining resin bound surfaces from our base near Newton Abbot, covering Devon, Cornwall and the wider South West, all backed by a 10 year guarantee.
This guide explains how to measure in metres and square metres, how to deal with irregular shapes, borders, islands, slopes and garage aprons, and what to note about access before you call for a quote.
Work in metres and square metres throughout. If you use a tape measure, note each dimension to the nearest 0.1 metre. A laser distance meter is faster for long runs or across uneven ground, but always record the result in metres so the figures are easy to check later.
Measure the plan area, not the length of any surface material. For most resin surfacing quotes you give the horizontal area in square metres using these basic formulas.
For irregular shapes, split the area into rectangles, triangles and segments, measure each one and add the areas together. For curved edges, draw a neat sketch marking the straight and curved runs, note radii where you can, and take photographs to help with visualising the shape.
Borders and central islands are measured separately and added to the main area. Measure the width of a border and the length of run it follows, then multiply the two to get the border area. For an island, measure its perimeter and internal area the same way as any other shape. The garage apron, the area in front of the garage door, is part of the driveway. Measure from the garage threshold out to the point where the driveway meets the public footpath or road, and note any dropped kerb on your sketch.
For a gentle slope, measure the horizontal plan area as usual. For a steep slope or a terraced drive, note the gradient and take the slope length as well as the horizontal run, since steeper or stepped driveways increase labour and can change the surface area slightly.
A resin overlay uses the existing stable surface as a base and can be quicker, while a full replacement means removing the old material and preparing a new base. For an overlay, measure the exact area to be covered and note the current surface type, any loose areas and height differences. For a full replacement, measure the area to be excavated and any surrounding runs that will need new kerbing or edging. Always mark areas that need preparatory repair, such as broken concrete or sunk tarmac, since these can affect the time and plant needed on site.
Access matters as much as area. A standard mixer or small dumper needs a clear width and a stable approach, and if access is narrow, down a lane near Dartmouth or along an old lane in rural Cornwall for example, the team may need to hand carry materials and use smaller plant. Note and photograph the following before your site visit.
A rectangular driveway measuring 5.0 metres wide by 3.5 metres deep has an area of 5.0 times 3.5, which equals 17.5 square metres. An L-shaped driveway made up of a main run of 6.0 by 2.5 metres and a side return of 2.0 by 1.5 metres gives 15.0 plus 3.0, for a total plan area of 18.0 square metres. A circular patio with a 4.0 metre diameter has a 2.0 metre radius, so the area is 3.1416 times 2.0 times 2.0, which equals 12.57 square metres. In each case it is sensible to allow a little extra for cuts and wastage, and your installer will advise the right amount for your specific layout.
Resin Driveway Experts has more than 30 years of experience installing and maintaining resin bound surfaces across the South West, all backed by a 10 year guarantee. If you would rather not measure everything yourself, we offer a site visit to take precise on-site measurements, talk through overlay versus full replacement for your surface, and confirm any access considerations before giving you a firm quotation. If you are ready to get started, contact us to arrange a visit, or read more about options near Exeter and across Devon.