Front garden to tarmac driveway in Canterbury

What does a front garden driveway conversion cost in Canterbury?

Local guide rates for Canterbury (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 Canterbury, 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.

Rules that apply in Canterbury

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. Any new or widened crossing over the pavement needs approval from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

What we do on 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
Sub-base and two tarmac courses, or porous asphalt
Kerbs or blocks as edge restraint
Water directed to a border, soakaway or channel

Canterbury: the local details

Survey cover and pricing for Canterbury. Canterbury is 24 miles from Maidstone, and we survey there as part of Kent cover.

Postcodes: CT1, CT2, CT4, CT3
Area: Kent
Nearest towns: Whitstable (6 miles), Herne Bay (7 miles), Faversham (9 miles), Ashford (Kent) (13 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Close to Canterbury: Whitstable, Herne Bay, Faversham, Ashford (Kent), Folkestone.

Canterbury: common questions

Do I need permission for a front garden driveway conversion in Canterbury?

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 Canterbury?

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 Canterbury?

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

Front garden driveway conversion cost in Canterbury: what should I budget?

As a 2026 guide in Canterbury, 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.

Other work in Canterbury

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