How much does a front garden driveway cost in County Down?
Expect front garden driveways in County Down 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 Down
Choose a town for local prices and details for front garden drives:
- Bangor, County Down
- Newtownards
- Newry
- Banbridge
- Dundonald
- Holywood
- Downpatrick
- Comber
- Carryduff
- Warrenpoint
- Newcastle
- Donaghadee
What is included?
We check those three things before anything else. A typical small front garden needs the boundary wall or hedge opened, the ground dug out, a sub-base built and the surface laid so rain drains into a planted strip or through permeable blocks. Keeping a narrow planted border is often what makes the drainage work.
Wet winters in Northern Ireland make falls, edge restraints and full joints especially important.
- Space check: car length, door swing and the gap to the pavement
- Permeable blocks or falls to a planted border
- Advice on the dropped kerb application before work starts
- Wall, hedge or fence opening and making good the ends
- Dig-out, sub-base and edging
What the survey covers
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
Rules for front drives in County Down
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
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.
Front garden drives in County Down: questions
Do I need planning permission for a front garden driveway in County Down?
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.
How long does a front garden driveway 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.
Do you cover Bangor, County Down, Newtownards and Newry?
Yes. We cover all of County Down, including Bangor, County Down, Newtownards and Newry.
Is the survey in County Down 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.
