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.
Homes across Somerset vary a great deal, so we price a new driveway only after seeing the property. Our coverage takes in Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Taunton and Yeovil and the surrounding districts. As a guide, expect £4,100–£9,200 including VAT in the South West; the final figure depends on size, materials and access. Any permissions are checked against the rules for England before we quote.
- Guide price
- £4,100–£9,200 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Planning rules
- England
- Price level
- About 2% above the national guide
- Towns listed
- 11
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Driveways prices in Somerset
Budgeting for a new driveway in Somerset? The numbers below include VAT and are adjusted for the South West, where costs are about 2% above the national guide. The headline range is £4,100–£9,200. Nothing is final until we have measured up at a free survey and agreed the specification with you.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Somerset |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel or tarmac | A typical 40–50m² drive in gravel on a grid, or tarmac with block edging. | £2,000–£5,100 |
| Block paving or resin bound | A typical 40–50m² drive with sub-base, edging and drainage. | £4,100–£9,200 |
| Large or premium driveway | Larger drives, natural stone, walls, steps or a new dropped kerb. | £8,200–£16,500 |
The main things that change the figure:
- Surface: gravel, tarmac, block paving, resin or stone
- Drainage, soakaways and changes in level
- Edging, steps, walls and manhole adjustments
- Access for machinery and removal of spoil
Scope of the work
- Survey of levels, drainage, manholes and access
- Excavation and removal of the old surface and soil
- Weed membrane and compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base
- Drainage channels or soakaway where needed
- Manhole covers raised or replaced to new levels
- Site cleared and waste removed
Housing across Somerset
Somerset's building stone varies widely: Bath stone in Bath, golden Ham stone around Yeovil, blue lias in villages on the Levels and Mendip stone in the north. Weston-super-Mare has Victorian villas and terraces, Taunton and Bridgwater have brick terraces and post-war estates, and new housing continues to spread around the larger towns.
Stone properties often need lime pointing, stone repairs and windows that respect conservation areas, especially in Bath. Brick terraces suit loft rooms and extensions, and estate homes commonly take garage conversions.
The Somerset Levels are low and prone to flooding, coastal areas face Bristol Channel winds, and Exmoor is wet and exposed.
Do you need permission in Somerset?
Homes in Somerset come under the regulations for England, summarised below. We don't rely on general rules alone: we confirm the position for your address with the council before a quote goes out.
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.
How does the job run?
A visit to your home
Book a visit and we'll come to you. The survey covers measurements, the state of what's there now and any obvious constraints, so the price that follows is based on your actual home, not an average.
Written quote
We turn the survey notes into a written quote. The price is fixed for the specification we agree, and the document sets out materials, scope and payment stages in plain language.
Plan and prepare
With the quote agreed, we book the work in and handle preparation: permissions where needed, building control notifications, material orders and access arrangements for your Somerset property.
Finish and handover
Our trades complete a new driveway while your point of contact keeps you updated. When everything is finished, we clear the site, take away waste and go through the result with you before handover.
How we work
Questions about a new driveway in Somerset
Can I use my car during the work?
You will not be able to park on the driveway while it is being dug out and laid, so plan to park on the street or nearby for the duration. We keep a safe pedestrian route to your front door where possible. After completion, block paving and tarmac can usually be driven on straight away, while resin and concrete need a short curing period first.
How much does a new driveway cost?
A typical 40–50m² block paved or resin bound driveway costs £4,100–£9,200, including excavation, sub-base, edging and drainage. As a guide, allow roughly £70–£150 per square metre plus fixed costs for machinery and waste. Gravel and tarmac cost less, while natural stone, steps and walls cost more. A new dropped kerb is a separate cost. We confirm a fixed price after measuring.
Do I need planning permission in Somerset?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Somerset is in England, so England's rules apply. Many smaller jobs need no planning application, but some still need building control approval. We check what applies to your address before quoting.
Can I stay at home during the work?
In most cases, yes. Most people can live at home throughout, and we plan the work to keep disruption down by protecting floors, agreeing working hours and keeping access routes clear. Bigger jobs affecting kitchens, bathrooms or heating may mean a short spell with reduced facilities, and we talk this through with you at the survey.
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.
Towns in Somerset
Below is our list of Somerset towns for a new driveway. If yours isn't shown, we may still cover it, so it is worth asking us directly.