Planning a driveway extension in Birmingham
Birmingham has everything from short terrace frontages to wide drives on newer estates, so the survey sets the layout and the dig.
Clay ground is widespread in the West Midlands, so the sub-base depth and drainage are checked on every survey.
How much does a driveway extension cost in Birmingham?
Most driveway extension quotes in the West Midlands fall within £90–£150 per m² including VAT. A 15 m² extension would usually be about £1,550–£2,600, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Driveway extension in block paving | £90–£150 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £10–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£50 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £350–£1,000 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,000–£3,000 |
Guide figures for the West Midlands, 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.
- 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
- 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
- Matching options: same range, re-mixing old and new, or a planned contrast
What the survey covers
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
Planning and kerb rules in Birmingham
Birmingham 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
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.
What you can expect from us
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Drive extensions in Birmingham: questions
Is the survey in Birmingham 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 Aston, Smethwick and Washwood Heath?
Yes. We cover Birmingham and the places around it, including Aston, Smethwick and Washwood Heath, and the rest of the West Midlands.
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.
Drive extensions near Birmingham
Nearby towns we cover for drive extensions, and drive extensions across West Midlands:
- Drive extensions in Aston
- Drive extensions in Smethwick
- Drive extensions in Washwood Heath
- Drive extensions in Acocks Green
- Drive extensions in West Bromwich
- Drive extensions in Bartley Green
