Front garden to tarmac driveway in Ballyclare

What does a front garden driveway conversion cost in Ballyclare?

Guide prices below are for Ballyclare, adjusted for Northern Ireland, where surfacing rates run about 12% below our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£53–£84 per m²
Example: 20 m² drive	£1,150–£1,850
Example: 30 m² drive	£1,750–£2,750
Example: 45 m² drive	£2,400–£3,750

As a 2026 guide in Ballyclare, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £53–£84 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² drive is roughly £2,400–£3,750. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Do I need permission in Ballyclare?

In Northern Ireland, more than 5 m² of hard surface in front of a house should be porous or drain to a porous area within the property; DfI Roads approves dropped kerbs. Any new or widened crossing over the pavement needs approval from DfI Roads.

What we do on a front garden driveway conversion

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
Highway authority dropped kerb application guided or handled for you
Lawn, hedge roots and topsoil removed
Sub-base and two tarmac courses, or porous asphalt
Water directed to a border, soakaway or channel

Ballyclare: the local details

Ballyclare at a glance. Ballyclare is covered on our County Antrim rounds, 11 miles from Belfast.

Postcodes: BT39
Area: County Antrim
Nearest towns: Newtownabbey (7 miles), Carrickfergus (8 miles), Antrim (9 miles), Larne (10 miles)
Pricing: Northern Ireland, about 12% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: DfI Roads

The same service is available in Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, Antrim, Larne, Holywood.

Your questions answered

Are there planning or highway rules in Ballyclare?

In Northern Ireland, more than 5 m² of hard surface in front of a house should be porous or drain to a porous area within the property; DfI Roads approves dropped kerbs. Dropped kerbs are approved by DfI Roads.

What is the price of a front garden driveway conversion in Ballyclare?

As a 2026 guide in Ballyclare, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £53–£84 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² drive is roughly £2,400–£3,750. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Will someone visit before I get a fixed price in Ballyclare?

Yes for new surfacing such as drives, paths, private roads and car parks. Small repairs are often priced from photos; if a visit is needed for a repair-only job, we tell you any charge first.

How long will the work take at my Ballyclare property?

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

Also in Ballyclare

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