What to know before a driveway extension in Ilford
Ilford has a big mix of housing, from older terraces near the centre to newer estates further out, so no two drives here start from the same ground.
Front gardens in much of London are short, so parking depth and the dropped kerb usually decide whether a drive is possible.
How much does a driveway extension cost in Ilford?
Expect driveway extensions in Ilford to come in at around £110–£180 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 15 m² extension usually comes to between £1,850 and £3,100.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Driveway extension in block paving | £110–£180 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £12–£50 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £25–£60 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £420–£1,200 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,200–£3,600 |
Guide figures for London, 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.
- Matching options: same range, re-mixing old and new, or a planned contrast
- Dig-out and sub-base for the new area
- 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
- Check of the existing drive: block range, thickness, levels and condition
What we check on an Ilford survey
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
Planning and kerb rules in Ilford
Ilford 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
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.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Drive extensions in Ilford: questions
Do I need planning permission for a driveway extension in Ilford?
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.
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.
How much does a driveway extension cost in Ilford?
Our guide for Ilford is £110–£180 per m² including VAT, so a 15 m² extension is usually about £1,850–£3,100. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Drive extensions near Ilford
Nearby towns we cover for drive extensions, and drive extensions across Greater London:
- Drive extensions in Barking
- Drive extensions in Becontree
- Drive extensions in Leytonstone
- Drive extensions in Stratford
- Drive extensions in Canning Town
- Drive extensions in Dagenham
