Front garden to tarmac driveway in Romford

What does a front garden driveway conversion cost in Romford?

These Romford guide prices reflect rates in London, 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 Romford, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £72–£114 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² drive is roughly £3,250–£5,150. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Rules that apply in Romford

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).

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

Covering Romford

Survey cover and pricing for Romford. Romford is one of the bigger places we cover in Greater London, so survey slots come round regularly.

Postcodes: RM1, RM7, RM2, RM5, RM3, RM4
Area: Greater London
Nearest towns: Hornchurch (2 miles), Dagenham (2 miles), Ilford (5 miles), Barking (5 miles)
Pricing: London, about 20% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

We also cover nearby Hornchurch, Dagenham, Ilford, Barking, Thamesmead.

Questions about front garden driveway conversions in Romford

Do you work in my part of Romford?

We cover Romford including RM1, RM7, RM2, RM5, RM3, RM4, and nearby Hornchurch, Dagenham, Ilford.

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

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

How much does a front garden driveway conversion cost in Romford?

As a 2026 guide in Romford, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £72–£114 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² drive is roughly £3,250–£5,150. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Can I get a free survey in Romford?

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.

Also in Romford

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