What to know before a driveway extension in Bishop's Stortford
Bishop's Stortford is a sizeable town with a mix of semis, terraces and newer estates, and many drives here were first laid decades ago.
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 Bishop's Stortford?
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 is included?
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
- New edging, kerbs or a low retaining edge where the lawn is cut back
- Dig-out and sub-base for the new area
- 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
Before we price your driveway extension
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- 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)
- Trees and roots near the drive
Rules for front drives in Bishop's Stortford
Bishop's Stortford 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.
How we work
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Drive extensions in Bishop's Stortford: questions
How much does a driveway extension cost in Bishop's Stortford?
Our guide for Bishop's Stortford 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.
Is the survey in Bishop's Stortford 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.
Do you cover Hoddesdon, Hertford and Cheshunt?
Yes. We cover Bishop's Stortford and the places around it, including Hoddesdon, Hertford and Cheshunt, and the rest of Hertfordshire.
Do I need planning permission for a driveway extension in Bishop's Stortford?
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 Bishop's Stortford
Nearby towns we cover for drive extensions, and drive extensions across Hertfordshire:
- Drive extensions in Hoddesdon
- Drive extensions in Hertford
- Drive extensions in Cheshunt
- Drive extensions in Stevenage
- Drive extensions in Welwyn Garden City
- Drive extensions in Hatfield
