Pattern imprinted concrete in Southampton, poured in one go
Pattern imprinted concrete is a single reinforced slab, coloured and stamped to look like brick, cobble or slate. It has no joints for weeds to grow in, but it is a sealed surface, so where the water goes has to be planned before the concrete arrives.
- Brick, cobble, slate and stone patterns
- Reinforced slab with control joints
- Falls, channels or a border for the water
How an imprinted drive is made
- Excavation and a compacted stone sub-base, the same as any drive
- Steel mesh reinforcement and formwork set to the agreed falls
- Concrete poured, levelled and coloured with a surface hardener
- A release agent, then pattern mats pressed in while the concrete is still workable
- Control joints cut to stop random cracking, then washed and sealed
It is laid in one session from the moment the concrete arrives, so the weather forecast and access for the mixer lorry matter.
What imprinted concrete costs
Typical installed prices from the BestBuilders 2026 guide, with resealing from its cleaning guide.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Pattern imprinted concrete, per m² | £90 to £140 |
| Plain concrete, per m² | £60 to £110 |
| Soakaway or drainage crate | £600 to £2,000 |
| Channel or linear drain | £60 to £120 per metre |
| Resealing, per m² | £3 to £8 |
A sealed surface needs a plan for the rain
Over 5 m² at the front
Imprinted concrete does not let water through. A new front drive over 5 m² needs planning permission unless the rain runs to a lawn or border, or a soakaway, on your own land.
Source: Planning Portal: paving your front gardenFalls to a border or channel
The slab is set with a fall so water runs off it. A channel drain across the bottom, or a planted border along the side, is usually how the rule is met.
Source: Planning Portal: paving your front gardenResealing every few years
BestBuilders suggests sealing imprinted concrete every three to five years, in dry weather, to keep the colour and protect the surface.
Source: BestBuilders: driveway cleaning cost, updated 18 August 2026Imprinted concrete questions
How much does pattern imprinted concrete cost in Southampton?
The BestBuilders 2026 guide gives typical installed prices of £90 to £140 per m² for pattern imprinted concrete. Drainage such as a channel drain, typically £60 to £120 per metre, may be extra.
Does an imprinted concrete drive need planning permission?
Imprinted concrete is a sealed surface. A front drive over 5 m² needs planning permission unless rainwater runs to a lawn or border on your own land, or into a soakaway.
Will imprinted concrete crack?
Concrete can crack as it shrinks and moves, which is why control joints are cut into the slab to make any cracking happen in a straight line where you expect it, and why the sub-base and reinforcement matter.
How often does imprinted concrete need resealing?
The BestBuilders cleaning guide suggests every three to five years for imprinted concrete and block paving, in dry weather. Resealing is typically £3 to £8 per m².
Can imprinted concrete be repaired?
Small repairs are possible, but matching the colour and pattern exactly is hard. That is one reason it pays to get the base and joints right first time.
Is imprinted concrete slippery?
The sealer can make it smoother when wet. An anti-slip additive can be mixed into the sealer to give more grip.
Price your imprinted drive
Send the quick form and choose Not sure for the surface. Tell us the pattern and colour you like in the next step.