How much does a recessed cover cost in County Antrim?
Most recessed cover quotes in Northern Ireland fall within £240–£620 including VAT, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Recessed manhole cover fitted (per cover) | £240–£620 |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £19–£50 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £330–£950 |
| Soakaway | £860–£1,900 |
| Highway authority dropped kerb application fee | £50–£480 |
Guide figures for Northern Ireland, checked 9 November 2026.
Towns we cover in County Antrim
We quote recessed covers in every town across County Antrim, including:
What is included?
A recessed manhole cover is a shallow steel or aluminium tray set in a frame, filled with the same blocks as the drive so the paving pattern carries straight across the chamber. Only a thin rim and two lifting points show.
Wet winters in Northern Ireland make falls, edge restraints and full joints especially important.
- Chamber brickwork raised or lowered to the new level
- Blocks cut to continue the pattern inside the tray
- Removal of the old cover and frame
- Lifting keys handed over
- Recessed tray bedded on mortar and set flush
What the survey covers
- Who must approve the work and how long that takes
- Levels of the pavement, kerb and drive
- Where water collects now and where it can go
- Load ratings needed for covers and gratings
- Ground conditions for any soakaway
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.
Recessed covers in County Antrim: questions
Do you work in Belfast, Lisburn and Newtownabbey?
Yes. We cover all of County Antrim, including Belfast, Lisburn and Newtownabbey.
How much does a recessed cover cost in County Antrim?
Guide price: £240–£620 including VAT. The survey confirms the work needed.
Can this be done at the same time as a new drive in County Antrim?
Yes, and it usually should be, so the levels match and the paving is only disturbed once.
Who approves a recessed cover in County Antrim?
For a dropped kerb, DfI Roads. For drainage and covers on private land, no approval is usually needed, but connections to public sewers need the water company's consent.
