Block paved driveway extensions in Ely: the local picture
Ely is a smaller town, and many of its homes have more frontage to work with than city houses, which leaves room for borders and planting.
Clay soils are common in parts of the East of England, so drainage and sub-base depth get extra attention.
How much does a driveway extension cost in Ely?
Most driveway extension quotes in the East of England fall within £95–£160 per m² including VAT. A 15 m² extension would usually be about £1,650–£2,700, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| 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 you get with our drive extensions service
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
- Dig-out and sub-base for the new area
- Check of the existing drive: block range, thickness, levels and condition
- Joint sand, compaction and a clean-down of the old section
- Old edge restraint taken out and the new paving toothed into the old pattern
Before we price your driveway extension
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
Do you need permission in Ely?
Ely 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.
From enquiry to finished paving
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
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Drive extensions in Ely: questions
How much does a driveway extension cost in Ely?
Our guide for Ely 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.
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.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Ely?
We bring samples to the survey and suggest blocks and borders that suit the age and brick of the house. Final colour is your choice.
Drive extensions near Ely
Nearby towns we cover for drive extensions, and drive extensions across Cambridgeshire:
- Drive extensions in Newmarket
- Drive extensions in March
- Drive extensions in Cambridge
- Drive extensions in Wisbech
- Drive extensions in Huntingdon
- Drive extensions in Peterborough
Other block paving services in Ely
Or see all block paving services in Ely.
