What to know before a driveway extension in Brighton
Brighton has everything from short terrace frontages to wide drives on newer estates, so the survey sets the layout and the dig.
Planning-sensitive towns and conservation areas are common in the South East, so we check the front-garden rules before quoting.
How much does a driveway extension cost in Brighton?
Expect driveway extensions in Brighton to come in at around £95–£160 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 15 m² extension usually comes to between £1,700 and £2,800.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Driveway extension in block paving | £95–£160 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £11–£45 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£55 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £380–£1,100 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,100–£3,250 |
Guide figures for the South East, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What does a driveway extension involve?
A driveway extension adds paving to an existing drive, usually to fit a second car by taking in part of the front lawn, or to lengthen a drive towards the house or garage. The new section is built on its own sub-base and tied into the old paving so the two act as one surface.
- Dig-out and sub-base for the new area
- 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
- Old edge restraint taken out and the new paving toothed into the old pattern
What the survey covers
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
Rules for front drives in Brighton
Brighton 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.
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.
How we work
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
One point of contact
You deal with one team from survey to sign-off, with work carried out by paving teams working under S&K.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
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 Brighton: 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 Brighton?
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.
Do you cover Hove, Portslade and Rottingdean?
Yes. We cover Brighton and the places around it, including Hove, Portslade and Rottingdean, and the rest of East Sussex.
Do I need planning permission for a driveway extension in Brighton?
In England, a front drive over 5 m² needs planning permission unless it is permeable or drains to a lawn or border within your boundary. Ask us on the survey if you are unsure.
Drive extensions near Brighton
Nearby towns we cover for drive extensions, and drive extensions across East Sussex:
- Drive extensions in Hove
- Drive extensions in Portslade
- Drive extensions in Rottingdean
- Drive extensions in Seaford
- Drive extensions in Hailsham
- Drive extensions in Eastbourne
