Front garden to tarmac driveway in Chelsea

Front garden driveway conversion prices in Chelsea

Guide prices below are for Chelsea, adjusted for London, where surfacing rates run about 20% above our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£72–£114 per m²
Example: 20 m² drive	£1,600–£2,500
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,400–£3,750
Example: 45 m² drive	£3,250–£5,150

As a 2026 guide in Chelsea, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £72–£114 per m² including VAT, so a 20 m² drive is roughly £1,600–£2,500. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Rules that apply in Chelsea

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. If the job needs a dropped kerb, the highway authority (the county or unitary council) approves it before any work on the footway.

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
Sub-base and two tarmac courses, or porous asphalt
Kerbs or blocks as edge restraint
A planted strip kept where it helps drainage and looks

Covering Chelsea

The key facts for Chelsea. We cover Chelsea as part of our regular Greater London rounds.

Postcodes: SW3, SW10, SW7
Area: Greater London
Nearest towns: Battersea (1 mile), Fulham (1 mile), Westminster (2 miles), Shepherds Bush (3 miles)
Pricing: London, about 20% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

The same service is available in Battersea, Fulham, Westminster, Shepherds Bush, Putney.

The build-up we price

Questions about front garden driveway conversions in Chelsea

What approvals apply in Chelsea?

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).

Do you work in my part of Chelsea?

We cover Chelsea including SW3, SW10, SW7, and nearby Battersea, Fulham, Westminster.

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

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 quickly can work start in Chelsea?

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

Other work in Chelsea

Questions about front garden driveway conversions in Chelsea? Call, WhatsApp or use the form, and we'll talk it through.