Front garden to tarmac driveway in Havant
Front garden to tarmac driveway in Havant start with the parts you won't see: how deep the ground is dug, how much stone goes back in, and where the rain will run once the drive is sealed.

What does a front garden driveway conversion cost in Havant?
Local guide rates for Havant (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 Havant, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £66–£105 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² drive is roughly £2,950–£4,700. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.
Layer by layer
Where we work in and around Havant
Havant at a glance. Havant is 19 miles from Southampton, and we survey there as part of Hampshire cover.
- Postcodes
- PO9
- Area
- Hampshire
- Nearest towns
- Emsworth (2 miles), Waterlooville (3 miles), Hayling Island (5 miles), Portsmouth (6 miles)
- Pricing
- South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
- Kerb approvals
- The highway authority
We also cover nearby Emsworth, Waterlooville, Hayling Island, Portsmouth, Gosport.
Do I need permission in Havant?
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. A vehicle crossing over the footway is a separate approval, from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).
What is included in 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
- Kerbs or blocks as edge restraint
- Water directed to a border, soakaway or channel
- A planted strip kept where it helps drainage and looks
Havant: common questions
Is the survey in Havant 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.
Are there planning or highway rules in Havant?
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).
How long does a front garden driveway conversion take in Havant?
Usually 2–4 working days, after the kerb approval. We book Havant surveys alongside other jobs in Hampshire, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.
What is the price of a front garden driveway conversion in Havant?
As a 2026 guide in Havant, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £66–£105 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² drive is roughly £2,950–£4,700. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.
Also in Havant
- Tarmac driveway repairs
- Tarmac paths and footpaths
- Car park resurfacing
- Tarmac driveway resurfacing
- Red tarmac driveways
- Private and access road surfacing
- Everything in Havant
Ready for a price in Havant? Use the guide price tool or send the form, and we'll arrange a visit.
Front garden to tarmac driveway in Havant: 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