How much does a recessed cover cost in County Londonderry?
In Northern Ireland, a recessed cover usually costs £240–£620 including VAT. Your exact price depends on what the survey or your photos show, and is fixed in writing before anything is booked.
| 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 Londonderry
We quote recessed covers in every town across County Londonderry, including:
What is included?
It is usually fitted as part of a new drive or a re-lay, when the old cover and frame are taken out, the chamber is checked and raised or lowered to the new level, and the recessed unit is bedded so it sits flush with the blocks. The tray must have a load rating suitable for cars.
Wet winters in Northern Ireland make falls, edge restraints and full joints especially important.
- Lifting keys handed over
- Chamber brickwork raised or lowered to the new level
- Removal of the old cover and frame
- Recessed tray bedded on mortar and set flush
- Blocks cut to continue the pattern inside the tray
What the survey covers
- Load ratings needed for covers and gratings
- Ground conditions for any soakaway
- Levels of the pavement, kerb and drive
- How the new work ties into the paving
- Who must approve the work and how long that takes
Rules for front drives in County Londonderry
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 Londonderry: questions
Do you work in Londonderry, Coleraine and Limavady?
Yes. We cover all of County Londonderry, including Londonderry, Coleraine and Limavady.
How much does a recessed cover cost in County Londonderry?
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 Londonderry?
Yes, and it usually should be, so the levels match and the paving is only disturbed once.
Who approves a recessed cover in County Londonderry?
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.
