Front garden to tarmac driveway in Downpatrick
A good front garden driveway conversion in Downpatrick looks the same as a poor one on the day it is laid. The difference shows a few winters later, which is why our quotes list what goes underneath.
How much should I budget in Downpatrick?
These Downpatrick guide prices reflect rates in Northern Ireland, 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 Downpatrick, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £53–£84 per m² including VAT, so a 20 m² drive is roughly £1,150–£1,850. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.
Layer by layer
Planning and kerb rules for Downpatrick
In Northern Ireland, the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 allows a hard surface between the front of a house and a road without permission if it is porous or drains to a porous area within the property, once it exceeds 5 m². Listed buildings and some access changes need permission. Any new or altered vehicle access onto a public road needs approval from DfI Roads, not the council.
Covering Downpatrick
The key facts for Downpatrick. We cover Downpatrick by grouping surveys with nearby County Down jobs; Bangor, County Down is 23 miles away.
- Postcodes
- BT30
- Area
- County Down
- Nearest towns
- Comber (15 miles), Castlereagh (18 miles), Newtownards (18 miles), Dundonald (19 miles)
- Pricing
- Northern Ireland, about 12% below our UK midpoint
- Kerb approvals
- DfI Roads
Nearby, we work in Comber, Castlereagh, Newtownards, Dundonald, Holywood.
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
- Highway authority dropped kerb application guided or handled for you
- 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 Downpatrick
How quickly can work start in Downpatrick?
Usually 2–4 working days, after the kerb approval. We book Downpatrick surveys alongside other jobs in County Down, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.
What approvals apply in Downpatrick?
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.
Is the survey in Downpatrick free?
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.
Which Downpatrick postcodes do you cover?
We cover Downpatrick including BT30, and nearby Comber, Castlereagh, Newtownards.
More we do in Downpatrick
- Private and access road surfacing
- Permeable tarmac driveways
- Car park surfacing
- Car park resurfacing
- Tarmac driveway repairs
- Tarmac paths and footpaths
- Everything in Downpatrick
Send us a postcode, a rough size and a photo or two, and we'll come back with survey dates for Downpatrick.
Front garden to tarmac driveway in Downpatrick: get a written quote
Send a postcode and a rough size and we'll arrange a survey. Every quote lists the layers, edging, drainage and VAT.
- Surface courseDEPTH + MIX
- Binder courseDEPTH + MIX
- Sub-baseDEPTH + MATERIAL
- Edges, drainage, VATITEMISED