Resin driveway invoice template UK (2026): bound vs bonded, CIS and VAT
A resin driveway invoice has to explain what was surveyed, excavated, sub-based, edged, mixed, laid, cured and snagged - not a vague "resin done" or "drive done" line. "Supply and lay resin driveway as agreed" does not tell a householder whether they got a resin-bound permeable-style surface with an open-graded base, a thin resin-bonded overlay on existing tarmac, an aliphatic UV-stable binder, or an aromatic system that can yellow. It does not tell a main contractor's QS which plot, purchase order or hard-landscaping package to release. It does not tell a CIS contractor how much is labour and how much is the direct cost of resin binder, washed aggregate blend, Type 1 (or permeable / open-graded sub-base), geotextile, edgings, primer and waste you paid for.
This page is the dedicated resin driveway / resin path / resin overlay hard-landscaping invoice guide. It is distinct from the broader driveway invoice template UK (which covers resin briefly alongside block, tarmac, concrete and gravel) and the block paving invoice template UK (concrete block, clay, permeable block). Cross-link those when the job is a full multi-surface driveway or a block package; stay on this page when the product is resin itself - resin-bound or resin-bonded, with binder chemistry, aggregate blend, base build-up and cure notes that matter on the invoice.
Who pays matters. Billing a private householder for resin on their own home: normal invoice, no CIS. Billing a main contractor, developer or refurbishment principal for construction of drives and paths: often CIS. HMRC's CISR14200 treats the construction of walls, drives, patios and suchlike as works forming part of the land under Finance Act 2004 section 74(2)(b), even when they sit inside a "landscaping" brief. CISR14320 covers works forming, or to form, part of the land. Routine soft landscaping alone - gardening, planting, mowing - that is not undertaken in the course of a wider construction project is generally outside CIS. A mixed contract that includes hard resin paving can pull the whole contract into the scheme; reassess when soft and hard work share one agreement. Private householders are not CIS contractors - see the public CIS overview.
VAT is separate. If you are VAT-registered, ordinary resin driveway work on an occupied existing dwelling is usually standard-rated at 20%. Soften absolute claims about VAT Notice 708; reduced (5%) or zero rates only apply when narrow conditions are met. Never reverse-charge a householder. A dropped-kerb or vehicle-crossing licence from the highway authority is separate paperwork - the invoice is not the permission. Drainage, falls and permeable / SuDS wording on the invoice describe what you installed; they are not a planning permission or SuDS design certificate. InvoiceAdept does not issue licences or certificates.
This guide gives copy-paste fields, a labour/materials split for resin packages (binder, aggregate, Type 1 / permeable base, geotextile, edgings, primer), stages from dig-out through base, lay/cure and snag, four worked examples and a practical treatment of CIS, VAT and domestic reverse charge. Figures are illustrative only, not UK market rates or a price list. InvoiceAdept does not decide CIS or VAT status and does not file CIS300, VAT returns, Making Tax Digital updates, Self Assessment or court claims. It does not issue highway licences, planning permissions, Building Control completion certificates or SuDS approvals.
Related templates: driveway, block paving, patio, decking, landscaper, groundworker, deposit invoice, domestic reverse charge, how to invoice a UK client as a tradesperson, retention, calculate retention payments and variation orders.
Rules and links were checked for this guide on 8 September 2026. General information only, not tax, legal, highways, planning, SuDS or Building Regulations advice. InvoiceAdept is from Tech Me Today Ltd, Companies House 15917255, ICO ZB944663.
In short
Start by identifying who pays you, whether the system is resin-bound or resin-bonded, whether the binder is aliphatic (UV-stable) or aromatic, what aggregate blend and depth you are supplying, whether dig-out and Type 1 (or permeable / open-graded) sub-base are included, whether resin and aggregate must be ordered before work starts, and whether the contract is supply-only or supply-and-install.
Private householder, own-home resin driveway: no CIS. The householder is not a CIS contractor. If VAT-registered, an ordinary resin-bound front drive / resin-bonded overlay / resin path at an existing lived-in home is usually 20%. Show survey/levels, dig-out/spoil, geotextile, sub-base, compaction, edgings, binder type (aliphatic vs aromatic), aggregate blend, thickness, falls, drainage channels, waste/skip, cure window and snag clearly. Do not claim "VAT free" because it is outdoor hard landscaping. Do not present the invoice as a dropped-kerb licence or SuDS certificate. Do not describe a resin-bonded skim as a full resin-bound build-up.
Resin package for a CIS contractor: typically within CIS when a contractor pays you for construction of drives or paths as works forming part of the land (CISR14200, CISR14320). Split labour from materials at direct cost (CISR15060 / CISR15090). Resin binder, aggregate, Type 1, geotextile and edgings you bought are materials at purchase cost; mark-up stays in the labour base, not dressed as materials. Free-issue resin or aggregate from the main contractor is not your materials.
Routine soft landscaping alone: generally outside CIS when not undertaken in the course of a wider construction project (CISR14200). If the same contract also builds a resin drive or path, reassess the mixed-contract rule - the hard works can bring the payment into CIS.
Manufacture and delivery of resin/aggregate only (no install): generally outside CIS (CISR14220). A mixed contract that supplies materials and includes installation can pull the whole contract into CIS (CISR14020 / CISR14030).
VAT reduced rate (5%) or zero: only when Notice 708 conditions are actually met. Ordinary resin on an occupied house stays 20%. Never reverse-charge a householder. Never invent 0% for a normal domestic resin drive.
Take a deposit before ordering resin binder and washed aggregate if your terms require one. Number and invoice that deposit. Then use recognisable stages: dig-out, base/edgings, lay/cure/snag. Keep variations for extra area, UV upgrade (aromatic to aliphatic), drainage or a permeable-base switch separate from the agreed package.
Use the invoice generator for a first invoice. InvoiceAdept Free is £0 for five invoices per month. Pro is £7.99 excl VAT and includes WhatsApp send. Pro+ is £12.99 excl VAT and includes CIS. Stripe's own fees apply (UK cards 1.5%+20p), but InvoiceAdept adds no platform fee.
Who this resin driveway invoice template is for
This template is for UK resin driveway specialists, hard landscapers, driveway contractors who deliver resin-bound or resin-bonded packages as a defined product, and subcontractors who dig out, lay Type 1 or permeable base, set edgings, mix and trowel resin, or install ACO channels and need readable invoices for householders, landlords, builders and housing clients. It covers the paperwork pattern, not a price list and not a highways, planning or SuDS document.
Resin driveway specialists (resin-bound and resin-bonded)
Driveway contractors whose day product is resin rather than block or tarmac alone
Path and patio crews when the surface is resin (cross-link patio/block guides for slabs and blocks)
Groundworkers excavating and laying Type 1 / open-graded sub-base for resin packages
Drainage crews billing ACO channels and soakaway connections as part of a resin package (or separately)
Subcontractors to main contractors on residential plot hard-landscaping packages
Sole traders and limited companies who need CIS and VAT lines that match the payer
If your day job is a full multi-surface driveway (block, tarmac, concrete, gravel as the main product), block paving, a porcelain or sandstone patio, soft planting only (landscaper), or decking, use those related guides and come back here for resin-specific lines (bound vs bonded, aliphatic vs aromatic, aggregate blend, base type, edgings, cure notes, permeable wording and dropped-kerb licence status).
How this differs from driveway, block paving and patio guides
Guide | Focus | Use this resin page when... |
|---|---|---|
Multi-surface drives: block, resin, tarmac, concrete, gravel | The job is mainly resin and you need deeper bound/bonded / UV / aggregate / base detail | |
Concrete block, clay, permeable block, jointing | The surface is resin, not blocks | |
Patio packages: porcelain, sandstone, brick/block patio, steps | The patio product is resin (not slabs) | |
This page | Dedicated resin-bound / resin-bonded hard landscaping | Drive or path is resin as the defined product |
Do not duplicate an entire soft-landscaping guide here. Mentions of planting, turf or fencing are contrasts only - keep them off a resin-only invoice unless they were part of the agreed package and you reassess CIS for mixed contracts.
Resin-bound versus resin-bonded (comparison)
Householders and QSs often confuse the two systems. Put the system name on every invoice.
Resin-bound | Resin-bonded | |
|---|---|---|
What it is | Aggregate mixed through with resin, then trowelled as a layer (typically deeper) | Thin resin layer applied to a base, then aggregate scattered / broadcast on top |
Typical depth cue | Often discussed as a laid thickness (e.g. ~15-18 mm for drives - treat as system-specific, not a quote) | Thin coating over existing or new base |
Surface character | Smooth, aggregate fully encapsulated; often sold as more permeable when on suitable base | Textured "scatter" finish; less depth of stone in the binder |
Base expectations | Usually needs a sound, suitable base (Type 1 or permeable / open-graded build-up as specified) | Often used as overlay on sound tarmac/concrete - still describe base condition |
Invoice wording must say | "Resin-bound" + binder type + aggregate blend + thickness + base type | "Resin-bonded overlay" + binder + scatter aggregate + substrate |
Common bounce | Calling bonded work "bound" (or the reverse) | Claiming a bonded skim is a full permeable bound system |
Also name the binder chemistry:
Binder | Typical invoice note | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
Aliphatic (UV-stable) | Aliphatic UV-stable polyurethane / epoxy resin as specified | Less yellowing risk under sunlight - often preferred for light aggregates outdoors |
Aromatic | Aromatic resin binder as specified | Can yellow / amber with UV - cheaper on some quotes; disclose honestly |
Aggregate blend | Colour mix, size grade, washed dried stone, coverage kg/m2 or bags | Householder expects the sample they approved |
Never invent "UV free forever" guarantees on the invoice. Describe the binder class you supplied.
Three resin jobs, three invoices
These three jobs can use similar resin systems but need different invoice logic.
Domestic householder resin driveway | Main contractor / developer hard landscaping | New-build plot resin drive / path | |
|---|---|---|---|
Customer on invoice | Private householder | Builder, developer or main contractor | Developer, self-builder or main contractor |
Contract | Dig-out, base, edgings, resin-bound or bonded lay, cure, drainage, snag | Hard-landscaping package: resin drives/paths, edgings, drainage to named plots | Resin drive/path works in course of constructing a qualifying new dwelling |
CIS | No. Householder is not a CIS contractor. | Usually within CIS - drives/paths as works forming part of the land (CISR14200, CISR14320) | Usually within CIS when a contractor pays a subcontractor |
Labour/materials | Helpful for clarity | Essential for correct deduction; resin/aggregate/Type 1 at direct cost | Essential; free-issue materials noted separately |
VAT if registered | Usually 20% at an existing lived-in home | Normal VAT or reverse charge depending on the tests | Soften - often 0% when Notice 708 conditions are met for access works in course of construction; check facts |
Key references | Public CIS guide | CISR14200, CISR14320 | VAT Notice 708; CISR14200 |
What often bounces it | "Resin done" with no m2, bound/bonded, UV type or deposit credit; invoice presented as kerb licence | Missing PO, UTR, plot, labour/material split; free-issue aggregate claimed as materials | Claiming 0% after practical completion without checking "in the course of construction" |
A main contractor can be the CIS contractor even when the finished drive serves a homeowner. If the builder engages you for plot hard landscaping, your invoice is to the builder. That contractor-to-subcontractor payment is the one to test. If the householder hires and pays you directly, the householder invoice has no CIS.
What resin driveway work belongs on the invoice
Do not compress a multi-day resin drive into "supply and lay resin". Describe excavation, build-up, binder, aggregate, cure and what another firm supplied.
Line-item family | Useful description | Clarify |
|---|---|---|
Survey / levels | Site measure, falls away from house, existing surface check, moisture/substrate note, quote reference | Survey date and whether credited against the order |
Dig-out / excavation | Remove existing surface and spoil to agreed depth | Area (m2), depth (mm), spoil disposal, skip or tip tickets |
Geotextile / membrane | Separation or weed membrane under sub-base | Product type and coverage |
Sub-base | Type 1 MOT compacted in layers, or open-graded / permeable base for bound systems | Depth, tonnage or m2, compaction method |
Edgings | Concrete, brick, metal, timber or plastic edgings / restraints | Linear metres and who supplied them |
Primer / substrate prep | Primer on concrete/tarmac overlay; crack repair; cleaning | Included or separate line |
Resin system | Resin-bound OR resin-bonded | Never leave ambiguous |
Binder chemistry | Aliphatic UV-stable or aromatic | Match the quote / sample approval |
Aggregate | Washed dried blend, colour, grade, coverage | Bags/kg and sample reference |
Lay / trowel / scatter | Bound: mix and trowel; bonded: resin coat + scatter + sweep | Crew size / day rate only if helpful - area and system matter more |
Cure / traffic note | Cure window before foot/vehicle traffic as per system | Do not invent absolute weather guarantees |
Drainage | ACO channel, gullies, connection to surface-water system | Describe what you installed - not a SuDS certificate |
Permeable system note | Bound surface + permeable / open-graded base as installed | Invoice is not planning permission or SuDS approval |
Dropped kerb prep | Excavation and build-up up to highway verge | Licence status: homeowner or contractor arranged |
Waste | Skip, licensed tip or soil away | Do not hide tip fees inside materials when separately agreed |
Snag | Agreed snag list and completion date | Distinguish original-contract snag from a later chargeable call-out |
Variations | Extra area, aliphatic upgrade, drainage upgrade, base switch | Coded V01, V02 with written approval |
If a highway contractor invoices the customer directly for the vehicle crossing, do not duplicate their charges. If you engage and pay a subcontractor as part of your package, your customer sees your agreed package lines; keep the subcontractor's invoice in your records.
What a UK resin driveway invoice must include
The GOV.UK invoice particulars are the foundation:
a unique identification number
your business name, address and contact information
the customer's name and address
a clear description of the goods or services
the supply date and invoice date
amounts charged, VAT if applicable and the total owed
A sole trader should show their own name as well as a trading name and an address where legal documents can be delivered. A limited company should use its registered company name, company number and registered office. The VAT registration threshold is £90,000, not the stale £85,000 figure. VAT-registered businesses need the additional particulars in VATREC5010 and Notice 700/21, including VAT number, tax point, rates, net amounts and VAT in sterling.
Weak wording | Usable resin driveway invoice wording |
|---|---|
Drive done / resin done | Supply and lay 42 m2 resin-bound driveway, aliphatic UV binder, golden gravel blend, ~18 mm, 12 Maple Road; dig-out to 200 mm; Type 1 sub-base; edgings; 4-8 Sep 2026; quote Q-552 |
Resin | Supply resin-bound system: aliphatic binder + washed aggregate blend Ref A/Gold, coverage as manufacturer sheet |
Base | Excavate existing tarmac, dispose of spoil, lay and compact 150 mm Type 1 MOT (or open-graded permeable base as specified) |
Bonded overlay | Supply and lay resin-bonded overlay on existing sound tarmac 28 m2; aromatic binder disclosed; scatter aggregate Ref B; not a full bound rebuild |
Drainage | Install 3 m ACO channel to front of garage, connect to existing surface-water gully |
Dropped kerb | Vehicle-crossing prep works only; highway licence obtained by householder ref VK-3310 |
Final | Practical completion and agreed snag items closed 9 Sep 2026; deposit and stages credited below; traffic after cure per system note |
Include the site address even if it matches the householder's correspondence address. For contractor jobs add plot, block, purchase order, application number and week-ending date. CIS lines (UTR, labour, materials, rate, deduction, net payable) belong when a contractor is paying you under the scheme - not on a private householder job. Domestic reverse charge wording belongs only when the VAT reverse-charge tests are actually met between VAT-registered construction businesses - never on a householder bill.
Copy-paste resin driveway invoice fields
Use these as a checklist when you raise the PDF or app invoice.
Field | Example (illustrative) |
|---|---|
Invoice number | RSN-2026-0088 |
Invoice date | 8 September 2026 |
Supply / tax point | 6 September 2026 (or deposit date if deposit) |
From | Your legal name / Ltd name, address, company number if Ltd, VAT number if registered |
Bill to | Householder name + site address, or contractor legal name + accounts email + PO |
Site address | 12 Example Road, Town, Postcode (if different from bill-to) |
PO / plot | PO-8821 / Plot 9 (contractor jobs) |
Description | 42 m2 resin-bound driveway, aliphatic UV binder, golden blend; dig-out; Type 1; edgings; ACO 3 m; snag |
System | Resin-bound (not bonded) |
Binder | Aliphatic UV-stable |
Aggregate | Washed dried golden blend, sample approved 1 Sep 2026 |
Labour | Dig-out, base, edgings, mix/trowel, cure watch, snag labour (split for CIS) |
Materials | Resin binder, aggregate, Type 1, geotextile, edgings, primer, ACO at direct cost |
Deposit credit | Less deposit RSN-2026-0081 £1,800 (illustrative) |
VAT | 20% on taxable lines if registered and reverse charge does not apply |
Due date | 22 September 2026 |
Payment | Sort code / account / reference, or Stripe card link |
CIS block | Only if contractor-paid and CIS applies: UTR, CIS base, rate, deduction, net |
Licence note | Dropped-kerb licence: householder arranged / contractor arranged / not applicable |
Permeable note | Resin-bound surface and permeable / open-graded base as installed - not a SuDS certificate |
For the first invoice habit and field checklist, see how to invoice a client UK tradesperson. For deposits before ordering resin and aggregate, see the deposit invoice template.
Sole trader versus limited company
Sole trader | Limited company | |
|---|---|---|
Name on invoice | Your own name (trading name optional alongside) | Registered company name |
Company number | Not applicable | Show Companies House number |
Registered office | Serviceable address | Registered office on invoice / letterhead practice |
VAT | Only if registered - threshold £90,000 | Same |
CIS | Same scheme rules if a contractor pays you for construction ops | Same |
InvoiceAdept | Works for both | Works for both |
Do not invent a Ltd presentation if you are still a sole trader. Do not omit the company number on Ltd invoices when customers and accounts teams expect it.
Labour versus materials for resin CIS
On a householder invoice the split is courtesy and clarity. On a contractor invoice it is the CIS calculation. Start with the gross, take off VAT, then take off the direct cost of materials you paid for. What is left is broadly the CIS base at 20%, 30% or 0% after verification.
Line type | What belongs there | What does not |
|---|---|---|
Labour | Dig-out, base labour, edging set, mix, trowel/scatter, cure watch, snag labour | A mark-up you wish was "resin kits" |
Materials | What you paid this job: resin binder, aggregate blend, Type 1, geotextile, edgings, primer, ACO, merchant tickets on file | Free-issue resin/aggregate from the main contractor; van stock you did not buy for this address |
Hire | Third-party mixer, forced-action mixer, plate or excavator hire for this address, ticket on file | A notional hire on tools you own |
Variation | Agreed extra m2, aliphatic upgrade, drainage upgrade or permeable-base switch, coded V01, V02 | A silent bump inside "additional resin works" |
Two habits cost money: one lump "resin driveway £7,500" (CIS on the resin and stone as well if you are under CIS) and stuffing mark-up into materials so CIS looks smaller. Mark-up stays in the labour base. Resin and aggregate purchased complete are usually materials at purchase cost; labour is the dig / base / mix / lay / snag. Free-issue materials are not yours. Keep receipts.
What resin job types to describe
Job type | Description cues | CIS / VAT watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
Resin-bound driveway | m2, aliphatic/aromatic, aggregate blend, thickness, Type 1 or permeable base, edgings | Householder: no CIS; usually 20% VAT if registered |
Resin-bonded overlay | Overlay on existing tarmac/concrete; thin coat + scatter; substrate condition | Do not call it "bound" |
Permeable-base bound front garden | Bound surface + open-graded / permeable base + geotextile + falls | Invoice is not SuDS / planning proof |
Resin path / side access | Linear path vs full drive; edgings both sides | Usually 20% on occupied dwelling |
Repair / top-up / patch | Localised resin repair, colour match note, area | Describe salvage vs new blend |
Mixed package | Resin drive + ACO + new edgings + path | Variation lines beat silent extras |
Dropped-kerb prep only | Works up to verge; licence reference | Invoice is not the highway licence |
Raised or stepped resin areas need levels and edge restraint notes. Permeable systems need the open-graded / permeable base called out - do not describe a sealed Type 1-only build-up as a permeable system unless that is what the system manufacturer and design actually specify.
Deposits and stages for multi-day resin jobs
A small path patch can be one invoice. A 40+ m2 resin-bound front drive with ACO, new edgings and a specialist aggregate blend is not.
1. Deposit: before you order resin binder and washed aggregate (especially aliphatic kits and custom blends). Invoice when you take it and state the percentage or fixed sum. See deposit invoice template. 2. Dig-out: existing surface removed, spoil away, formation ready. 3. Base / edgings: Type 1 or permeable / open-graded sub-base compacted, geotextile and edgings in, primer if overlay, ready for resin day. 4. Lay / cure / snag: resin mixed and laid (or bonded and scattered), cure window observed, drainage complete, agreed snags closed, balance less any agreed retention, plus variations approved in writing.
Retention is not a deposit. Deposit is money you take before or during. Retention is money held after completion against snagging. Show full value, retention withheld and release date, then invoice retention when it falls due. A deposit you receive is a VAT tax point for that amount on the day it lands if you are registered. Sister page: calculate retention payments and retentions in UK construction.
Stage | Typical trigger | What the invoice should say |
|---|---|---|
Deposit | Quote accepted / resin + aggregate ordered | Deposit X% on 42 m2 resin-bound driveway at [address]; binder and aggregate order |
Dig-out | Formation ready | Stage 1 - excavate existing surface, spoil away, approx 42 m2 |
Base / edgings | Type 1 or permeable base + edgings complete | Stage 2 - geotextile, Type 1 150 mm compacted (or open-graded), edgings |
Completion | Resin lay, cure, drainage, snag | Stage 3 - lay aliphatic resin-bound system, cure note, ACO; less deposit credit |
Drainage, falls and permeable SuDS wording on the invoice
Local planning rules on front-garden paving and surface-water run-off sit with the customer's planning position, not with your invoice. You can describe resin-bound surfaces, permeable or open-graded sub-base, falls away from the house, ACO channels or a soakaway connection you installed. You should not invent a Building Regulations completion certificate or claim the invoice "proves" SuDS compliance. Attach any design note the customer commissioned separately.
Do say | Do not say |
|---|---|
Resin-bound surface over open-graded / permeable base as installed | "SuDS approved" / "planning granted by this invoice" |
Falls graded away from dwelling to front garden as set out | "Meets all Building Regulations" as a blanket claim |
ACO channel connected to existing gully | "Highway authority certified" |
Resin-bonded overlay on existing impermeable tarmac as installed | "Fully permeable bound system" when it is only a bonded skim |
The invoice records the commercial supply. Planning, SuDS design and Building Control are separate processes. InvoiceAdept does not issue SuDS, planning or Building Regulations documents.
Dropped kerb licence is separate paperwork
A vehicle-crossing or dropped-kerb licence from the highway authority is not created by your invoice. State clearly:
whether the householder arranged the licence
whether you arranged it and charged a fee or disbursement
the licence reference if known
that your invoice covers prep / construction works only (if that is the scope)
Do not imply the PDF is the permission to cross the footway. Highway fees paid on the customer's behalf should appear as a disbursement or separate line with the receipt, not buried inside "resin materials".
CIS: drives as works forming part of the land (CISR14200 / CISR14320)
For contractor-paid work, start with the landscaping and land works manuals:
CISR14200 (landscaping) says the construction of walls, drives, patios and suchlike, even as part of "routine landscaping", is caught by FA04/S74(2)(b) as works forming part of the land. Landscaping that finishes a wider construction project (housing estate, industrial estate, surrounds of a house) is within CIS. Routine gardening, forestry and tree surgery not undertaken in the course of a wider construction project are excluded.
CISR14320 covers works forming, or to form, part of the land under FA04/S74(2)(b) - walls, roadworks and similar civil works. Constructed resin drives and paths sit in that hard-works space when a contractor pays you.
Situation | Typical CIS reading (always test facts) |
|---|---|
Private householder pays you for their own-home resin drive | No CIS - householder is not a CIS contractor |
Main contractor pays you to build resin drives on plots | Often within CIS as works forming part of the land |
You only deliver resin kits / aggregate to site, no install | Generally outside (CISR14220) |
You supply resin/aggregate and install under one contract | Mixed contract risk - CISR14020 / CISR14030 can pull the whole payment in |
Soft planting only, no hard resin, outside a wider construction project | Generally outside (CISR14200 exclusion) |
One contract: soft planting and resin drive | Reassess - hard works can bring the contract into CIS |
Free-issue aggregate from contractor; you labour only | Labour is CIS base; free-issue is not your materials |
Rates after verification: 20% if registered net, 30% if not verified, 0% with gross payment status. Show UTR, labour, materials, rate, deduction and net payable. That printout is not a CIS300 - the contractor files it. InvoiceAdept does not file CIS300.
Deemed contractors (non-construction businesses) use a construction-spend test of more than £3 million in the 12 months since the first payment - not a £1 million myth. Mainstream construction businesses register when they pay subcontractors for construction work. See GOV.UK CIS.
Mixed contracts: soft landscaping versus hard resin
CISR14200 excludes routine soft landscaping outside a wider construction project. That exclusion does not save a contract that also constructs a resin drive or path. If your quote bundles turf, planting beds and 40 m2 of resin-bound driveway under one price, do not assume the soft work "keeps everything outside CIS" when a contractor pays you. Reassess the mixed-contract position. Practically:
Prefer separate contracts or clear separable packages when soft and hard work are genuinely distinct.
If one contract remains, describe hard and soft lines clearly and take advice on whether the payment is within CIS.
Never invent CIS deductions on a pure householder soft-only gardening job.
VAT on ordinary resin at existing homes
If you are not VAT-registered, do not charge VAT. If you are registered, ordinary resin driveway work at an occupied existing dwelling is usually standard-rated 20%. Soften absolute Notice 708 claims; reduced or zero rates are narrow. Design fees and survey fees are usually standard-rated.
Job | VAT rate if you are registered (typical starting point) |
|---|---|
Resin-bound drive on occupied existing house | Usually 20% |
Resin-bonded overlay on occupied house | Usually 20% |
Resin path / side access on occupied house | Usually 20% |
Supply of resin/aggregate only, no install | Usually 20% |
Qualifying new-build / certain conversion contexts | Soften - check Notice 708; do not invent 0% |
Domestic reverse charge on standard-rated CIS construction between eligible parties | Show VAT, do not add it to the amount they pay |
Householder customer | Never reverse-charge |
Never tell a householder their drive is "VAT free" because it is outdoor hard landscaping. Never reverse-charge a private individual. Warn against using the stale £85,000 figure as the current VAT registration threshold - it is £90,000.
New builds, conversions, empty homes and resin packages
New-build plots, empty homes and certain conversions can change the VAT analysis under Notice 708. Soften absolute claims on this page. Access works carried out in the course of constructing a qualifying new dwelling can be zero-rated when the Notice 708 conditions are met - that is a fact-specific analysis, not a slogan. CIS can still apply when a contractor pays you, even when VAT is reduced or zero on some lines. Zero-rated or reduced-rated lines still need correct descriptions; reverse charge does not apply to zero-rated supplies in the usual analysis. Claiming 0% after the dwelling is occupied and the construction phase has ended is a common error - check the "in the course of construction" timing.
Domestic reverse charge for contractor-paid resin
Domestic reverse charge is a VAT rule between eligible VAT-registered construction businesses. It is not CIS and it is not a householder rule. When it applies, you show VAT but the customer accounts for it - you do not collect the VAT as cash on that invoice. Full pattern: domestic reverse charge invoice UK. If the customer is a private householder, reverse charge does not apply. Typical tests include: both parties VAT-registered; services within the reverse-charge scope; payment within CIS; customer not an end user. Soften absolute claims - confirm on GOV.UK for the contract in front of you.
Worked examples A-D
Figures are illustrative arithmetic only, not quotes, not UK average prices, and not a price list. Label them clearly on any customer-facing PDF if you adapt the structure.
Example A - Householder resin-bound driveway (no CIS)
Line | Amount (illustrative) |
|---|---|
Labour - dig-out, Type 1, edgings, mix/trowel 42 m2 aliphatic resin-bound, snag | £3,400 |
Materials - aliphatic binder, golden aggregate blend, Type 1, geotextile, edgings | £2,850 |
ACO channel 3 m + waste/skip | £420 |
Subtotal (ex VAT) | £6,670 |
VAT at 20% (if registered) | £1,334 |
Total | £8,004 |
CIS | None - private householder |
Example B - Householder resin-bonded overlay (deposit + stages)
Stage | Amount (illustrative) |
|---|---|
Deposit (before resin + scatter aggregate order) - invoice RSN-DEP-02 | £900 |
Stage substrate prep + crack repair + primer on existing tarmac 28 m2 | £1,100 |
Stage resin-bonded overlay (aromatic binder disclosed) + scatter + sweep + cure note | £1,600 |
Less deposit credit | -£900 |
Subtotal stages net of deposit (ex VAT) | £1,800 |
VAT at 20% on taxable amounts as applicable | Calculate per tax point |
CIS | None - private householder |
Note on invoice | Resin-bonded overlay - not a full resin-bound rebuild; dropped-kerb N/A |
Example C - CIS contractor plot package (labour/materials split)
Line | Amount (illustrative) |
|---|---|
Gross for Plot 9 resin-bound drive package (ex VAT) | £10,500 |
Materials at direct cost - binder, aggregate, Type 1, edgings (receipts on file) | £4,200 |
CIS labour base (gross - materials) | £6,300 |
CIS deduction at 20% (illustrative registered net rate) | £1,260 |
Net after CIS (ex VAT) | £9,240 |
VAT / reverse charge | Per contract tests - show correctly; do not invent |
Free-issue | None this plot - if main contractor supplies aggregate, exclude from materials |
Example D - New-build access works (soften VAT; CIS still tested)
Line | Amount (illustrative) |
|---|---|
Labour - dig-out, permeable base, lay 55 m2 aliphatic resin-bound access path to Plot 3 | £4,600 |
Materials at direct cost | £3,400 |
CIS | Usually within scheme when contractor-paid - show UTR and split |
VAT | Soften - may be 0% if Notice 708 "in the course of construction" of a qualifying dwelling is met; do not assume after occupation |
Note | Illustrative only - confirm VAT treatment for this plot with your adviser |
Mistakes that bounce resin driveway invoices
Mistake | Why it fails | Fix |
|---|---|---|
"Resin done" with no m2, bound/bonded or UV type | QS / householder cannot match the quote | Name system, binder, aggregate, area, stages |
Calling bonded work "bound" (or reverse) | Wrong product expectation and disputes | Use the correct system name every time |
CIS on a private householder | Wrong payer analysis | Householder = no CIS |
No CIS split on contractor job | Deduction calculated on resin/stone as well | Labour vs materials at direct cost |
Mark-up stuffed into materials | Distorts CIS base | Mark-up stays in labour |
Free-issue aggregate claimed as materials | Inflates materials, shrinks CIS base wrongly | Note free-issue; labour only |
Invoice presented as SuDS / Building Regs / kerb licence | Invoice is not compliance certification | Describe works; attach licences separately |
Soft landscaping labelled CIS without hard works | Wrong scheme boundary | Apply CISR14200 exclusions carefully |
Invented 0% VAT on occupied home drive | Overclaim risk | Usually 20%; Notice 708 only when conditions met |
Stale £85,000 VAT threshold / £1m deemed CIS | Wrong thresholds | £90,000 VAT; deemed £3 million |
Silent extras for extra m2, aliphatic upgrade or ACO | Payment disputes | Variation orders with written approval |
No cure / traffic note | Damage claims and snag rows | State system cure window on completion invoice |
Late payment: contractor debts are not consumer debts
For eligible business-to-business debts, the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 can support statutory interest at Bank Rate + 8%. With Bank Rate recently at 3.75%, that statutory annual rate is 11.75% while Bank Rate remains 3.75% (confirm the Bank of England Bank Rate and the six-month reference-date rule before you claim). See GOV.UK late commercial payments and the sister guides late payment rights UK tradespeople and how to calculate late payment interest UK.
Consumers / householders are not automatically under that statutory B2B regime. For domestic customers you need clear contract terms on due dates, deposits and late charges, then follow a calm reminder sequence. InvoiceAdept can send invoices and reminders; it does not file court claims.
How InvoiceAdept fits a resin driveway contractor
Need | What InvoiceAdept does | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
Numbered invoices | Raise PDF invoices with clear resin driveway lines | Decide CIS or VAT status for you |
Deposits and stages | Separate deposit and stage invoices with credits | Hold client money as escrow |
CIS lines on Pro+ | Show UTR, labour, materials, deduction patterns | File CIS300 to HMRC |
Card pay | Stripe checkout; Stripe's fees apply | Add an InvoiceAdept platform fee |
Reminders | Schedule payment reminders | File Money Claim Online or adjudication |
MTD | Helps you keep digital invoice records | File VAT returns or MTD updates to HMRC |
Pricing (honest): Free - five invoices per month at £0. Pro - £7.99 excl VAT (WhatsApp send). Pro+ - £12.99 excl VAT (CIS). Stripe UK cards typically 1.5%+20p. No InvoiceAdept platform fee on top of Stripe. Operator: Tech Me Today Ltd, Companies House 15917255, ICO ZB944663.
Quote versus invoice on resin packages
A quote is an offer. An invoice is a request for payment for work done or a contractual deposit. Do not reuse a quote PDF as the invoice without a unique invoice number, supply date, due date and payment details. If the householder accepts a quote for 42 m2 aliphatic resin-bound then asks for an extra 6 m2 of path or an aromatic-to-aliphatic upgrade, that extra is a variation, not a silent edit inside the original quote total.
Retention on contractor resin packages
Main contractors sometimes withhold a percentage (often discussed in the industry as typically around 3-5% - treat as illustrative / contractual, not a statutory average) until practical completion and the end of the defects liability period. Show the retention clearly on applications and invoices. Release is contractual, not automatic. See retentions in UK construction and calculate retention payments. InvoiceAdept does not hold retention escrow.
Checklist before you hit send
Unique invoice number and correct legal name (sole trader vs Ltd)
Site address, m2, resin-bound OR resin-bonded named
Binder chemistry (aliphatic UV vs aromatic) and aggregate blend named
Dig-out depth, sub-base type (Type 1 vs permeable / open-graded), edgings named
Deposit credits and stage numbers match prior invoices
Householder = no CIS; contractor = UTR + labour/materials split if CIS applies
VAT: usually 20% on occupied dwelling; no invented 0%; no reverse charge to householders
Dropped-kerb licence status stated; not claimed as the licence itself
Permeable / SuDS wording describes install only - not certification
Cure / traffic note present on completion invoice
Due date, bank details or Stripe link present
Variations coded and approved in writing
FAQ
Does resin driveway work come under CIS?
Yes when a contractor pays a subcontractor to construct drives, paths or similar hard landscaping. CISR14200 treats the construction of walls, drives and patios as works forming part of the land under FA04/S74(2)(b). CISR14320 covers works forming part of the land. No CIS applies when an ordinary private householder pays you directly.
What is the difference between resin-bound and resin-bonded on an invoice?
Resin-bound mixes aggregate through the resin and trowels it as a layer. Resin-bonded is a thin resin coat with aggregate scattered on top, often over existing tarmac or concrete. Name the system every time so the customer and QS know which product they paid for.
Should I split labour and materials on a householder invoice?
It helps clarity but is not a CIS requirement for householders. On contractor CIS jobs the split is essential: materials at direct cost with receipts; mark-up stays in labour; free-issue is not your materials.
What VAT rate applies to a domestic resin driveway?
If you are VAT-registered, an ordinary resin-bound or resin-bonded drive at an occupied existing dwelling is usually 20%. Reduced or zero rates under Notice 708 only apply when conditions are met. Do not invent 0% for a normal lived-in home. Confirm with your adviser for new-build or conversion contexts.
Can I reverse-charge a householder?
No. Domestic reverse charge is a B2B construction VAT rule between eligible parties. Never reverse-charge a private individual.
Is the invoice a dropped-kerb licence or SuDS certificate?
No. It can reference and attach the highway licence or a drainage design note, but it is not the permission or certificate. InvoiceAdept does not issue highway, planning, SuDS or Building Regulations documents.
How should I stage a multi-day resin driveway job?
Common pattern: deposit (if ordering resin and aggregate), dig-out, base/edgings, lay/cure/snag. Each stage gets its own invoice number with deposit credits shown. See deposit invoice template.
What is the VAT registration threshold?
£90,000. Do not use the outdated £85,000 figure as the current threshold.
What is the deemed CIS contractor construction-spend test?
More than £3 million in the relevant 12-month period for deemed contractors - not a £1 million myth. Mainstream construction businesses have their own registration rules when paying subcontractors for construction operations.
Does InvoiceAdept file CIS300 or VAT returns?
No. InvoiceAdept helps you create invoices, CIS-style line patterns on Pro+, reminders and digital records. It does not file CIS300, VAT returns, Making Tax Digital updates, Self Assessment or court claims.
How does this page relate to the driveway and block paving guides?
Use driveway for multi-surface drives (block, tarmac, concrete, gravel as well as a short resin mention). Use block paving for concrete/clay/permeable blocks. Use this page when the defined product is resin-bound or resin-bonded.
What late payment interest can I claim?
For eligible B2B debts, statutory interest is Bank Rate + 8% (recently 3.75% + 8% = 11.75% while Bank Rate is 3.75%). It is not automatic for consumers - use contract terms. See GOV.UK late commercial payments.
Can permeable resin wording replace planning permission?
No. Describe what you installed. Planning and SuDS compliance are separate. Do not claim the invoice grants permission.
Where do free-issue resin or aggregate go on a CIS invoice?
They are not your materials. Note them as free-issue. Your CIS materials line is only what you purchased at direct cost for that job.
What if the customer upgrades from aromatic to aliphatic mid-job?
Treat it as a written variation with price and programme impact. Do not silently absorb it into "resin works".
Is soft landscaping alone within CIS?
Generally no, when it is not undertaken in the course of a wider construction project. CISR14200 excludes routine landscaping, gardening, forestry and tree surgery outside that context. If the same contract also builds a resin drive, the mixed-contract rule can bring the payment into CIS - reassess.
Related guides
About this guide
This guide is for UK resin driveway specialists, driveway and hard-landscaping subcontractors, and builders who deliver resin-bound and resin-bonded packages. Last reviewed 8 September 2026. It uses the public CIS overview, HMRC manuals CISR14200, CISR14320, CISR14220, CISR14020, CISR14030, CISR15060 and CISR15090, plus VAT Notice 708, the VAT domestic reverse charge guidance, VATREC5010, Notice 700/21, GOV.UK invoicing and GOV.UK late commercial payments.
General information only - not tax, legal, highways, planning, SuDS or Building Regulations advice. Confirm your facts with HMRC guidance, your accountant or a construction solicitor where the contract is material. InvoiceAdept is operated by Tech Me Today Ltd (Companies House 15917255, ICO ZB944663). InvoiceAdept does not file CIS300, VAT returns, Making Tax Digital updates, Self Assessment or court claims, and does not issue licences or certificates.
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