Planning a driveway extension in Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus is a sizeable town with a mix of semis, terraces and newer estates, and many drives here were first laid decades ago.
Wet winters in Northern Ireland make falls, edge restraints and full joints especially important.
How much does a driveway extension cost in Carrickfergus?
In Northern Ireland, a driveway extension usually costs £85–£145 per m² including VAT. For a 15 m² extension, that is roughly £1,450–£2,450. 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 | £85–£145 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £9.50–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £19–£50 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £330–£950 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £950–£2,850 |
Guide figures for Northern Ireland, 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.
- Joint sand, compaction and a clean-down of the old section
- Check of the existing drive: block range, thickness, levels and condition
- Old edge restraint taken out and the new paving toothed into the old pattern
- Matching options: same range, re-mixing old and new, or a planned contrast
- New edging, kerbs or a low retaining edge where the lawn is cut back
What the survey covers
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
- Trees and roots near the drive
Do you need permission in Carrickfergus?
Carrickfergus is in Northern Ireland, so these rules apply:
In Northern Ireland, a hard surface between the front of the house and the road that covers or replaces more than 5 m² must be porous or permeable, or drain to a permeable area within the property, to be permitted development.
Hard surfaces within the grounds of a listed building need listed building consent. Planning is handled by your district council, so check with its planning office if you are unsure.
Dropped kerbs in Northern Ireland are approved by DfI Roads (the Department for Infrastructure), not the council; check planning separately with the council.
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.
What you can expect from us
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
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.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Drive extensions in Carrickfergus: questions
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 Carrickfergus?
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.
How much does a driveway extension cost in Carrickfergus?
Our guide for Carrickfergus is £85–£145 per m² including VAT, so a 15 m² extension is usually about £1,450–£2,450. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Do you cover Newtownabbey, Ballyclare and Larne?
Yes. We cover Carrickfergus and the places around it, including Newtownabbey, Ballyclare and Larne, and the rest of County Antrim.
Drive extensions near Carrickfergus
Nearby towns we cover for drive extensions, and drive extensions across County Antrim:
- Drive extensions in Newtownabbey
- Drive extensions in Ballyclare
- Drive extensions in Larne
- Drive extensions in Belfast
- Drive extensions in Castlereagh
- Drive extensions in Lisburn
