A new driveway is a hard-wearing surface for parking, such as block paving, resin bound gravel, tarmac or gravel, laid on an excavated and compacted sub-base with edging and drainage designed to carry vehicle loads and handle rainwater.
From a first conversation about a new driveway to the day the site is cleared, homeowners in Cambridge deal with us directly. We come out to measure up at no cost, explain the choices in plain terms and send a written quote. For context, comparable work in the East of England usually falls within £4,200–£9,400 including VAT, and it is available across CB2.
- Guide price
- £4,200–£9,400 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Postcodes
- CB2
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Cambridgeshire
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for a new driveway in Cambridge?
Prices for a new driveway vary from house to house, but in Cambridge most projects fall within £4,200–£9,400 including VAT. That reflects costs in the East of England, about 5% above the national guide. Treat the table as a budgeting aid; the written figure follows a survey we carry out for free.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Cambridge |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel or tarmac | A typical 40–50m² drive in gravel on a grid, or tarmac with block edging. | £2,100–£5,200 |
| Block paving or resin bound | A typical 40–50m² drive with sub-base, edging and drainage. | £4,200–£9,400 |
| Large or premium driveway | Larger drives, natural stone, walls, steps or a new dropped kerb. | £8,400–£17,000 |
Your price depends mostly on:
- Driveway area and the depth of excavation needed
- Drainage, soakaways and changes in level
- Edging, steps, walls and manhole adjustments
- Access for machinery and removal of spoil
What’s included?
- Excavation and removal of the old surface and soil
- Weed membrane and compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base
- Edging kerbs or restraints to hold the surface in place
- Drainage channels or soakaway where needed
- New surface laid, compacted and finished
- Site cleared and waste removed
Homes in Cambridgeshire
Cambridge has many Victorian terraces in pale gault brick, with Edwardian villas and modern estates around the city. Peterborough expanded as a new town from the 1970s, adding large planned estates, while Ely, Huntingdon, St Neots and the Fenland market towns keep Georgian and Victorian centres. Limestone appears in villages near the Northamptonshire border.
Narrow terraces commonly suit loft conversions and kitchen extensions. Newer estate homes often need garage conversions, porches and landscaping, and older brick and stone buildings may call for lime-based repointing and carefully specified windows.
These patterns matter for a new driveway: older walls, roofs and floors in Cambridge can need different materials or extra preparation compared with newer homes.
Do you need permission in Cambridge?
Which rules apply depends on where you live. For Cambridge, the answer is England, and the points below reflect that; we verify them with the council before quoting.
In England, a new or replacement front-garden surface over 5 m² needs planning permission unless it is permeable or drains to a lawn or border within your property. A new dropped kerb needs consent from the council’s highways team, and access onto a classified road may need planning permission.
Building Regulations do not usually apply to driveways, but drainage must not discharge onto the road or a neighbour’s land.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
What happens after you get in touch?
A visit to your home
We arrange a free site survey on a date convenient to you. We measure up, look at the existing structure and access, and discuss your plans for a new driveway so the price reflects your home.
Quote in writing
You get the price in writing, itemised so you can see where the money goes. As long as the specification stays the same, that is the price you pay for a new driveway.
Booking the work
Next comes planning the work itself. We set a start date that suits you, line up the right trades, and make sure any approvals for a new driveway are in place before the first day on site.
On site to finish
The job proceeds in the order set out in the programme, with dust and debris kept under control. Finally we tidy away, inspect the work together and pass the finished project over to you with its paperwork.
How we work
Frequently asked questions
Can you combine a new driveway with other work?
Yes. Because we manage several trades under one contract, we can plan a new driveway alongside other work on your Cambridge home, such as new windows with rendering, or a kitchen refit with an extension. Combining jobs can reduce repeat set-up such as scaffolding, skips and access, and every element is listed and priced in the same written quote.
Do I need permission for a dropped kerb?
A dropped kerb lets vehicles cross the pavement onto your drive, and creating or widening one needs consent from your local highways authority. They usually check visibility, the distance from junctions and trees, and whether there is enough space to park off the road. Many councils carry out the kerb work themselves or use approved contractors. We can help with the application.
What is a sub-base and why does it matter?
The sub-base is the layer of crushed, compacted stone beneath the driveway surface that spreads the weight of vehicles into the ground. Most driveway failures, such as sinking, rutting and loose blocks, come from a sub-base that is too thin or poorly compacted. We excavate to the right depth for your soil and compact the sub-base in layers before laying the surface.
How long will a new driveway take?
On a typical home, allow 3–7 days on site. Larger projects, older buildings and extra work found once things are opened up can extend that, while simpler jobs may be shorter. Your quote includes an estimate of time on site, and your point of contact keeps you updated on the programme as the work progresses.
How long does it take to lay a driveway?
Laying a typical driveway takes around three to seven days, depending on size, surface and ground conditions. Excavation and sub-base usually take the first few days, then edging, drainage and the surface. Resin needs dry weather and time to cure, and you will usually need to keep cars off for a short period afterwards. We confirm timings and access arrangements with your quote.
Also covering areas around Cambridge
Our coverage in Cambridge includes CB2. We also travel to Newmarket, Ely and Huntingdon, so neighbouring addresses are looked after on exactly the same terms as those in town.