Planning a front garden driveway in Tunbridge Wells
In Tunbridge Wells, many front gardens have already been paved once, so new paving often starts with breaking out the old surface.
Chalk, clay and sandy ground all occur across the South East, so the dig and sub-base depth are set on the survey rather than assumed.
How much does a front garden driveway cost in Tunbridge Wells?
Expect front garden driveways in Tunbridge Wells to come in at around £90–£150 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 50 m² double drive usually comes to between £4,600 and £7,550.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Concrete block driveway, new sub-base | £90–£150 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £11–£45 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£55 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £380–£1,100 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,100–£3,250 |
Guide figures for the South East, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
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.
- Permeable blocks or falls to a planted border
- Advice on the dropped kerb application before work starts
- Dig-out, sub-base and edging
- Optional bin store area, planting strip and low edging
- Space check: car length, door swing and the gap to the pavement
What we check on a Tunbridge Wells survey
- 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)
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
Rules for front drives in Tunbridge Wells
Tunbridge Wells 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.
What you can expect from us
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
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.
Front garden drives in Tunbridge Wells: questions
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.
Is the survey in Tunbridge Wells 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 Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Maidstone?
Yes. We cover Tunbridge Wells and the places around it, including Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Maidstone, and the rest of Kent.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Tunbridge Wells?
We bring samples to the survey and suggest blocks and borders that suit the age and brick of the house. Final colour is your choice.
Front garden drives near Tunbridge Wells
Nearby towns we cover for front garden drives, and front garden drives across Kent:
- Front garden drives in Tonbridge
- Front garden drives in Sevenoaks
- Front garden drives in Maidstone
- Front garden drives in Swanley
- Front garden drives in Strood
- Front garden drives in Rochester
