How much does a front garden driveway cost in County Antrim?
Expect front garden driveways in County Antrim to come in at around £80–£135 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 50 m² double drive usually comes to between £4,050 and £6,650.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Concrete block driveway, new sub-base | £80–£135 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.
Towns we cover in County Antrim
Choose a town for local prices and details for front garden drives:
What does a front garden driveway involve?
A front garden conversion turns a lawn or small front garden into off-street parking. For terraces and semis without a drive, it is often the single most useful change to the house, but it only works if a car fits, the water has somewhere to go and the council will drop the kerb.
Dropped kerbs in Northern Ireland go through DfI Roads, so we build that timing into the plan for new drives.
- Dig-out, sub-base and edging
- Permeable blocks or falls to a planted border
- Advice on the dropped kerb application before work starts
- Optional bin store area, planting strip and low edging
- Space check: car length, door swing and the gap to the pavement
What the survey covers
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
Rules for front drives in County Antrim
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.
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.
Front garden drives in County Antrim: questions
Do I need planning permission for a front garden driveway in County Antrim?
In Northern Ireland, front paving over 5 m² must be porous or drain within your boundary to be permitted development. Ask us on the survey if you are unsure.
Is the survey in County Antrim 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.
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.
Do you cover Belfast, Lisburn and Newtownabbey?
Yes. We cover all of County Antrim, including Belfast, Lisburn and Newtownabbey.
