How much does a drive drainage job cost in South Glamorgan?
Most drive drainage job quotes in Wales fall within £330–£930 including VAT, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Channel drain run across a drive | £330–£930 |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £19–£45 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £330–£930 |
| Soakaway | £840–£1,850 |
| Highway authority dropped kerb application fee | £50–£470 |
Guide figures for Wales, checked 9 November 2026.
Towns we cover in South Glamorgan
We quote drainage in every town across South Glamorgan, including:
What does a drive drainage job involve?
Drainage for block paving makes sure rain leaves the surface in a controlled way: falls in the paving direct it, channel drains collect it across openings, and a soakaway or approved connection takes it away. Standard block paving sheds most of its rain, so a drive without a plan for the water ends up with puddles, wet thresholds or water running onto the pavement.
Hilly streets in much of Wales mean many drives slope, which shapes the falls, the edging and the water route.
- Levels survey and a falls plan
- Connection to an existing surface water gully where permitted
- Threshold drainage at doors and garages
- Soakaway crates or rubble soakaways where ground allows
- Linear channel drains with gratings rated for cars
What the survey covers
- How the new work ties into the paving
- Buried services near the crossing or channel
- Ground conditions for any soakaway
- Load ratings needed for covers and gratings
- Who must approve the work and how long that takes
Rules for front drives in South Glamorgan
In Wales, any new or replacement hard surface at the front of a house should be permeable or drain to a permeable area within the property to avoid needing planning permission. Unlike England, there is no 5 m² allowance for new paving; only repairs of up to 5 m² of existing surface are exempt.
Since January 2019, construction work covering 100 m² or more with drainage implications, including drives and patios, needs approval from the local SuDS Approving Body (SAB) before work starts, even where planning permission is not needed.
A dropped kerb needs your council's approval as highway authority, and a new access onto a classified road needs planning permission.
General guidance, not legal advice. Your survey confirms what applies to your home. See the planning guide.
How it works
Quick details
Your postcode and the job. It takes a minute.
On-site check
Measurements, levels against the damp-proof course, ground and drainage.
Itemised quote
Fixed once the specification is agreed, with no vague extras.
Laid and finished
Compacted, jointed and handed back clean.
Drainage in South Glamorgan: questions
Can this be done at the same time as a new drive in South Glamorgan?
Yes, and it usually should be, so the levels match and the paving is only disturbed once.
Do you work in Cardiff, Barry and Penarth?
Yes. We cover all of South Glamorgan, including Cardiff, Barry and Penarth.
Who approves a drive drainage job in South Glamorgan?
For a dropped kerb, your council as highway authority. For drainage and covers on private land, no approval is usually needed, but connections to public sewers need the water company's consent.
How much does a drive drainage job cost in South Glamorgan?
Guide price: £330–£930 including VAT. The survey confirms the work needed.
