Front garden to tarmac driveway in Gillingham
A good front garden driveway conversion in Gillingham looks the same as a poor one on the day it is laid. The difference shows a few winters later, which is why our quotes list what goes underneath.
What does a front garden driveway conversion cost in Gillingham?
Guide prices below are for Gillingham, adjusted for the South East, where surfacing rates run 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 Gillingham, 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
Planning and kerb rules for Gillingham
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).
Gillingham: the local details
The key facts for Gillingham. We cover Gillingham as part of our regular Kent rounds.
- Postcodes
- ME7, ME8, ME3
- Area
- Kent
- Nearest towns
- Chatham (1 mile), Rochester (2 miles), Strood (3 miles), Gravesend (8 miles)
- Pricing
- South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
- Kerb approvals
- The highway authority
We also cover nearby Chatham, Rochester, Strood, Gravesend, Maidstone.
What is included in 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
- Highway authority dropped kerb application guided or handled for you
- Lawn, hedge roots and topsoil removed
- Water directed to a border, soakaway or channel
- A planted strip kept where it helps drainage and looks
Questions about front garden driveway conversions in Gillingham
Do I need permission for a front garden driveway conversion in Gillingham?
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).
Is the survey in Gillingham 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.
How quickly can work start in Gillingham?
Usually 2–4 working days, after the kerb approval. We book Gillingham surveys alongside other jobs in Kent, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.
Do you cover all of Gillingham?
We cover Gillingham including ME7, ME8, ME3, and nearby Chatham, Rochester, Strood.
Other work in Gillingham
- Tarmac driveway resurfacing
- Private and access road surfacing
- Tar and chip driveways
- Car park resurfacing
- New tarmac driveways
- Tarmac paths and footpaths
- Everything in Gillingham
Send us a postcode, a rough size and a photo or two, and we'll come back with survey dates for Gillingham.
Front garden to tarmac driveway in Gillingham: 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