Front garden to tarmac driveway in Hastings

What does a front garden driveway conversion cost in Hastings?

These Hastings guide prices reflect rates in the South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£66–£105 per m²
Example: 20 m² drive	£1,450–£2,300
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,200–£3,450
Example: 45 m² drive	£2,950–£4,700

As a 2026 guide in Hastings, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £66–£105 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £2,200–£3,450. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Covering Hastings

The key facts for Hastings. Hastings is one of the bigger places we cover in East Sussex, so survey slots come round regularly.

Postcodes: TN34, TN37, TN38, TN35
Area: East Sussex
Nearest towns: Bexhill-on-Sea (5 miles), Hailsham (14 miles), Eastbourne (14 miles), Seaford (22 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Nearby, we work in Bexhill-on-Sea, Hailsham, Eastbourne, Seaford, Uckfield.

What the price covers

A front garden conversion turns lawn or planting into a parking space: the ground is excavated, a stone sub-base laid, tarmac surfaced on top, and a lowered kerb arranged so a car can cross the pavement legally.

Lawn, hedge roots and topsoil removed
Sub-base and two tarmac courses, or porous asphalt
Kerbs or blocks as edge restraint
Water directed to a border, soakaway or channel
A planted strip kept where it helps drainage and looks

Planning and kerb rules for Hastings

In England, householder permitted development (Class F of the 2015 General Permitted Development Order) lets you lay a hard surface in front of a house without planning permission if it is porous, or if the rainwater is directed to a permeable area within the property. If the area is more than 5 m² and neither applies, you need permission. Standard dense tarmac is not porous, so a dense tarmac drive needs a lawn, border, channel to a soakaway or other permeable route for its water. Any new or widened crossing over the pavement needs approval from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

Questions about front garden driveway conversions in Hastings

How long does a front garden driveway conversion take in Hastings?

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

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

As a 2026 guide in Hastings, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £66–£105 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £2,200–£3,450. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Are there planning or highway rules in Hastings?

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).

Can I get a free survey in Hastings?

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.

More we do in Hastings

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