Planning a driveway extension in Dunstable
Homes in Dunstable include plenty of semis and detached houses with room for a drive, plus older terraces where parking is tighter.
Flat ground across much of the East means falls have to be built in carefully so water does not sit on the drive.
How much does a driveway extension cost in Dunstable?
In the East of England, a driveway extension usually costs £95–£160 per m² including VAT. For a 15 m² extension, that is roughly £1,650–£2,700. Your exact price depends on what the survey or your photos show, and is fixed in writing before anything is booked.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Driveway extension in block paving | £95–£160 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £11–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£55 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £370–£1,050 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,050–£3,150 |
Guide figures for the East of England, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What is included?
The hard part is the join. Blocks from the same range can differ in shade from a batch made years ago, and older blocks have weathered, so the survey looks at whether a close match is possible, whether lifting and re-mixing some existing blocks will help, or whether a deliberate border or contrasting panel will look better than a near-miss.
- Matching options: same range, re-mixing old and new, or a planned contrast
- Joint sand, compaction and a clean-down of the old section
- New edging, kerbs or a low retaining edge where the lawn is cut back
- Dig-out and sub-base for the new area
- Check of the existing drive: block range, thickness, levels and condition
Before we price your driveway extension
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
Planning and kerb rules in Dunstable
Dunstable is in England, so these rules apply:
In England, paving in front of the house that covers more than 5 m² needs planning permission unless it is permeable or drains to a lawn, border or soakaway inside your boundary. Permeable block paving, or standard blocks laid to fall onto a planted strip, avoid the need for permission in most cases.
Flats and maisonettes, listed buildings, and homes covered by an Article 4 direction can have tighter rules, and conservation areas, National Parks and National Landscapes restrict some permitted development.
A dropped kerb needs your local highway authority's approval (usually the county, unitary, metropolitan or London borough council), and a new access onto an A, B or C classified road also needs planning permission.
General guidance, not legal advice. Your survey confirms what applies to your home. See the planning guide.
What happens next
Send the basics
Postcode, what you need and a rough size. Photos help.
Survey
We measure, check levels, ground and drainage, and talk through blocks and patterns.
Written quote
An itemised quote with the specification, the price and the start date.
The work
Our paving team builds it to the agreed specification and leaves the site swept.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Drive extensions in Dunstable: questions
What happens to my old drive?
It is broken out and taken away by skip or grab lorry, listed as its own line on your quote.
How long does a driveway extension take to build?
Most homes take between three and seven working days, depending on size, the dig and the drainage. Your quote gives the expected duration.
Is the survey in Dunstable free?
Yes, for new paving here: the survey and written quote are free with no obligation. Repairs and cleaning are usually priced from photos, or from a short visit where needed.
How much does a driveway extension cost in Dunstable?
Our guide for Dunstable is £95–£160 per m² including VAT, so a 15 m² extension is usually about £1,650–£2,700. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Drive extensions near Dunstable
Nearby towns we cover for drive extensions, and drive extensions across Bedfordshire:
- Drive extensions in Luton
- Drive extensions in Leighton Buzzard
- Drive extensions in Ampthill
- Drive extensions in Kempston
- Drive extensions in Bedford
