Front garden to tarmac driveway in Cambridge

Front garden driveway conversion prices in Cambridge

Guide prices below are for Cambridge, adjusted for the East of England, where surfacing rates run about 5% above our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£63–£100 per m²
Example: 20 m² drive	£1,400–£2,200
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,100–£3,300
Example: 45 m² drive	£2,850–£4,500

As a 2026 guide in Cambridge, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £63–£100 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² drive is roughly £2,850–£4,500. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

The build-up we price

Cambridge: the local details

The key facts for Cambridge. As one of the larger towns in Cambridgeshire, Cambridge sees regular survey visits.

Postcodes: CB2, CB1, CB3, CB4, CB5, CB22, CB24
Area: Cambridgeshire
Nearest towns: St Ives (12 miles), Ely (15 miles), Huntingdon (16 miles), St Neots (16 miles)
Pricing: East of England, about 5% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Nearby, we work in St Ives, Ely, Huntingdon, St Neots, March.

Planning and kerb rules for Cambridge

In England, a new hard surface over 5 m² in front of a house needs planning permission unless it is porous or drains to a lawn, border or soakaway within the property. A vehicle crossing over the footway is a separate approval, from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

What the price covers

Turning a lawn or front garden into off-road parking: dig, base, tarmac, kerb crossing and planting.

Check the space: length, width and gate posts for a car
Lawn, hedge roots and topsoil removed
Kerbs or blocks as edge restraint
Water directed to a border, soakaway or channel
A planted strip kept where it helps drainage and looks

Questions about front garden driveway conversions in Cambridge

Are there planning or highway rules in Cambridge?

In England, a new hard surface over 5 m² in front of a house needs planning permission unless it is porous or drains to a lawn, border or soakaway within the property. Dropped kerbs are approved by the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

Front garden driveway conversion cost in Cambridge: what should I budget?

As a 2026 guide in Cambridge, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £63–£100 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² drive is roughly £2,850–£4,500. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Do you cover all of Cambridge?

We cover Cambridge including CB2, CB1, CB3, CB4, CB5, CB22, and nearby St Ives, Ely, Huntingdon.

How quickly can work start in Cambridge?

Usually 2–4 working days, after the kerb approval. We book Cambridge surveys alongside other jobs in Cambridgeshire, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.

Other work in Cambridge

Tell us what you have in mind for Cambridge and we'll book a survey and put the specification in writing.