New driveway or block paving: costs and choosing a contractor

Commissioning a new driveway means checking planning and drainage rules first, then hiring the right contractor in the right order.

MW-01What the job actually involvesA new driveway means digging out the old surface, laying a compacted stone sub-base, fitting edging, then laying the final surface — block paving, tarmac or resin-bound stone. A good contractor also builds in a slight fall and drainage so rainwater doesn't pool or run onto the pavement or into your house. This is groundwork, not a cosmetic job. Get the sub-base or drainage wrong and the whole surface can sink, crack or flood within a few years.

MW-02Check if you need planning permissionIf you're paving more than 5 square metres of front garden with a hard, non-permeable surface, you usually need planning permission unless rainwater is directed to a permeable area like a lawn or border, or you use permeable paving. This rule exists to stop rainwater overloading drains and causing flooding. Check this before you get quotes, because it affects which materials are realistic.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

Under England's permitted development rules, impermeable front garden paving over 5m² without rainwater drainage to a permeable area needs planning permission from your council. HomeGraft has a "Know the rules" guide on planning permission for driveways.

MW-03Dropped kerb and vehicle accessIf your driveway needs a new dropped kerb so you can drive off the road onto it, that's a separate process from the paving itself. You apply to your council's highways department, and the kerb and crossover work has to be done by the council or its approved contractor — not your paving contractor. Apply as early as possible, as approval and scheduling can take weeks.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

Lowering a kerb or creating a new vehicle crossover needs permission from the local highway authority, and the work must be carried out by them or their approved contractor. This is separate from planning permission for the paving itself.

MW-04Check if the Party Wall Act appliesThis mostly won't apply to a driveway. It can apply if you're digging foundations for a new boundary or retaining wall within 3 metres of a neighbour's building, and deeper than their foundations. If that's the case, you need to serve formal notice before work starts, not after.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

The Party Wall Act 1996 only applies to driveway work if you're excavating close to a shared boundary and deep enough to affect a neighbour's foundations, or building a party wall or structure. If in doubt, a party wall surveyor can confirm whether notice is needed.

MW-05Who to hire, and in what orderSort out permissions first — planning permission and any dropped kerb application — before booking a contractor, as the design may need to change depending on the answer. If the job includes a retaining wall or you're near a boundary, bring in a structural engineer or party wall surveyor before the contractor starts. Then get quotes from paving or groundwork contractors who specialise in driveways, not general builders.

MW-06Realistic costs and timescalesFor an average three-bedroom house outside London, in 2026 expect roughly £60–£100 per m² for block paving, £40–£70 per m² for tarmac, and £50–£90 per m² for resin-bound surfacing. A typical 40–60 m² driveway usually comes to about £3,000–£8,000 depending on surface choice. A new dropped kerb typically adds £1,500–£3,000. Costs climb toward the top of the range with sloping or uneven ground, removing old concrete or tarmac, poor machinery access, decorative patterns, or extra drainage work. London and the South East usually cost more than these figures.

MW-07What a good quote containsA proper quote should state the area in m², the sub-base depth, the exact surface material and edging, and how drainage will be handled. It should give a start date, a realistic finish date, and a clear payment schedule — not full payment upfront. It should also say who is responsible for applying for the dropped kerb, if one's needed, and who disposes of waste.

MW-08Questions to ask, and red flagsAsk to see proof of public liability insurance, photos of recent similar jobs, and a written guarantee on workmanship. Ask directly whether the planning permission and dropped kerb application are sorted, and by whom. Red flags: cash-only deals, no fixed business address, pressure to sign today, no written quote, or a request for full payment before work starts.

MW-09What commonly goes wrongThe most common problems are a sub-base that's too shallow, causing sinking within a year or two, and a missing fall or drainage, causing standing water or flooding near the house. Work carried out without planning permission can force you into a retrospective application or removal. Unauthorised dropped kerbs can also lead to enforcement action from the council.

MW-10If you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern IrelandWales has broadly similar permitted development rules to England for driveway paving, but check with your local planning authority as thresholds can differ. In Scotland, a driveway usually doesn't need a building warrant, but planning rules on hard surfaces are set separately from England — check with your local council before starting. Northern Ireland has its own planning and building control system, run through local councils. In all three, dropped kerb permission is handled by the local roads or highways authority, not a national body.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

Scotland's building warrant system, and the separate planning regimes in Wales and Northern Ireland, mean the rules in this guide (written for England) may not apply as described. Always confirm with your own local authority.

KNOW THE RULES

Before you start: Do I need permission for a new driveway or dropped kerb?

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