Front garden to tarmac driveway in Cowes

What does a front garden driveway conversion cost in Cowes?

These Cowes guide prices reflect rates in the South East, including a travel and haulage allowance because work here is by arrangement.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£73–£115 per m²
Example: 20 m² drive	£1,600–£2,550
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,400–£3,800
Example: 45 m² drive	£3,250–£5,150

As a 2026 guide in Cowes, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £73–£115 per m² including VAT, so a 20 m² drive is roughly £1,600–£2,550. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

What we do on a front garden driveway conversion

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.

Check the space: length, width and gate posts for a car
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

Rules that apply in Cowes

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

Cowes: the local details

The key facts for Cowes. Cowes is covered by arrangement: we group work in the area to keep travel and haulage costs fair, and confirm any extra cost before you book.

Postcodes: PO31, PO32
Area: Isle of Wight
Nearest towns: Newport (Isle of Wight) (4 miles), Ryde (6 miles), Sandown (10 miles)
Pricing: South East rates plus a travel allowance (by arrangement)
Cover: By arrangement
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Nearby, we work in Newport (Isle of Wight), Ryde, Sandown.

Your questions answered

Do you cover all of Cowes?

We cover Cowes including PO31, PO32, and nearby Newport (Isle of Wight), Ryde, Sandown. Work here is by arrangement.

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

Usually 2–4 working days, after the kerb approval. We book Cowes surveys alongside other jobs on the Isle of Wight, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.

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

As a 2026 guide in Cowes, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £73–£115 per m² including VAT, so a 20 m² drive is roughly £1,600–£2,550. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Can I get a free survey in Cowes?

Cowes is covered by arrangement. We confirm any travel cost before booking the survey.

Other work in Cowes

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