How Much Does Interlock Cost in the GTA? (2026 Pricing Guide)

Interlock pricing in the GTA is one of the most searched — and most confusing — topics for homeowners planning a driveway or patio. Quotes for what sounds like the same job can differ by thousands of dollars. The gap usually comes down to base depth, paver grade, and whether the contractor is cutting corners underground where you can't see it.

Here's a transparent breakdown of what interlock actually costs in the GTA in 2026, what drives the variation, and what a legitimate quote should include.

What Interlock Typically Costs in the GTA

Interlock pricing is quoted per square foot, including materials and labour. The ranges below reflect properly built jobs — compacted granular A base, edge restraints, and polymeric sand — not the cheapest quote you'll find on Kijiji.

Driveways

• Standard rectangular pavers (60mm): $18–$24 per sq ft installed
• 80mm pavers (recommended for driveways): $22–$28 per sq ft installed
• Large-format slab-style pavers: $26–$34 per sq ft installed

A typical two-car GTA driveway is 400–600 sq ft. At the mid-range, expect $9,000–$16,000 for a properly built driveway replacement.

Backyard Patios

• Standard pavers: $16–$22 per sq ft installed
• Large-format slabs: $22–$30 per sq ft installed

Patios require less base depth than driveways (no vehicle load), which reduces the excavation cost. A 300 sq ft backyard patio typically runs $5,000–$9,000.

Walkways and Front Entries

• Walkways: $20–$30 per sq ft installed (smaller area = higher unit cost)
• Front entry steps: $800–$2,500 per step depending on material and width

What Drives the Price Difference

Base depth

This is the biggest hidden variable. A properly built interlock driveway in Ontario requires 8–10 inches of compacted granular A gravel base to handle vehicle weight and freeze-thaw cycles. Cutting that to 4 inches saves the contractor $1,500–$3,000 on a typical driveway — and you'll see the results within 2–3 winters as pavers sink and shift. You can't see the base after installation, so you have to ask specifically and confirm it in writing.

Paver thickness

60mm pavers are the standard residential grade. For driveways that bear vehicle weight, 80mm is the commercial grade and what we use at 416Marvel. The cost difference per paver is modest — but 60mm pavers under vehicles crack and shift faster, shortening the lifespan of the entire installation.

Polymeric sand vs. regular sand

Polymeric sand costs more and takes longer to apply, but it hardens in the joints, blocks weeds, and stops ants from tunneling. Regular kiln-dried sand does none of those things. Some contractors use regular sand and don't mention it. Ask what sand they use and whether it's included in the quote.

Edge restraints

Plastic edge restraints, pinned into the base with spikes, hold the perimeter of the installation in place. Without them, the border pavers migrate outward over time and the whole installation loosens. They add minimal cost but are skipped by contractors looking to shave margins.

Demolition and disposal

If you're replacing an existing driveway or patio, demo and disposal of the old material adds $1,000–$3,000 depending on material type and volume. Make sure it's itemized in your quote — some contractors exclude it and add it later.

What a Legitimate Quote Should Include

A proper interlock quote should specify, in writing:

• Total square footage
• Base depth (in inches) and base material (granular A)
• Paver brand, product name, and thickness (60mm or 80mm)
• Sand type (polymeric or kiln-dried)
• Whether edge restraints are included
• Demo and disposal if applicable
• Warranty terms

Does Interlock Add Value to Your Home?

Yes — consistently. In the GTA real estate market, a well-installed interlock driveway or backyard patio is one of the highest-ROI exterior improvements you can make. Curb appeal matters at sale, and a properly built interlock installation signals quality to buyers in a way that poured concrete or asphalt doesn't. The caveat is "properly built" — a failing interlock job that's shifting and weedy has the opposite effect.