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 South Glamorgan vary a great deal, so we price a new driveway only after seeing the property. Our coverage takes in Cardiff, Barry, Penarth and Llantwit Major and the surrounding districts. As a guide, expect £3,700–£8,300 including VAT in Wales; the final figure depends on size, materials and access. Any permissions are checked against the rules for Wales before we quote.
- Guide price
- £3,700–£8,300 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Planning rules
- Wales
- Price level
- About 8% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 4
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Driveways prices in South Glamorgan
Use the table to gauge the cost of a new driveway in South Glamorgan before we visit. Figures include VAT and are scaled for Wales, coming out about 8% below the national guide, which gives £3,700–£8,300 overall. After a free survey, you receive a fixed written price.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in South Glamorgan |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel or tarmac | A typical 40–50m² drive in gravel on a grid, or tarmac with block edging. | £1,850–£4,600 |
| Block paving or resin bound | A typical 40–50m² drive with sub-base, edging and drainage. | £3,700–£8,300 |
| Large or premium driveway | Larger drives, natural stone, walls, steps or a new dropped kerb. | £7,400–£14,500 |
What moves the price up or down:
- 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
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
- Edging kerbs or restraints to hold the surface in place
- Manhole covers raised or replaced to new levels
- New surface laid, compacted and finished
Housing across South Glamorgan
Cardiff has large areas of bay-fronted Victorian and Edwardian terraces in districts such as Roath, Canton and Cathays, plus interwar suburbs, post-war estates and modern flats around Cardiff Bay. Penarth has Victorian villas, Barry mixes terraces with newer estates, and Vale of Glamorgan villages are often built of local limestone.
Terraces commonly suit loft conversions, side-return and rear extensions, and bay window renewal. Suburban semis take side extensions and driveways, and stone village homes need lime-based repairs.
Mild but wet, with coastal exposure along the Severn estuary and Bristol Channel affecting render, roofline and windows.
Planning and building rules in South Glamorgan
Because South Glamorgan falls under Wales's rules, the guidance below is the version relevant to you. Before sending a price, we check your property's position with the council.
In Wales, hard surfaces in front gardens need to be permeable or drain within the property to avoid planning permission. Larger schemes can also need approval from the council’s SuDS Approving Body (SAB), and a dropped kerb needs highways consent.
Building Regulations do not usually apply, but drainage design matters.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
From survey to handover
Free site survey
First, someone visits your home in South Glamorgan to see the space, take measurements and note anything that could affect the work, such as access or the condition of what is there. There is no charge for this visit.
Written quote
The quote arrives in writing, not over the phone. It covers the full scope, the finishes you've chosen, any exclusions and the payment schedule, with a fixed price tied to that specification.
Booking the work
Before anyone starts, we confirm the programme in writing, check whether consents are required and arrange deliveries. If a skip or scaffolding on the road needs a permit, we apply for it.
On site to finish
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
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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 South Glamorgan 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.
How do you stop a driveway flooding?
A driveway stays dry when rainwater can drain away rather than pooling or running towards the house. Permeable surfaces such as resin bound gravel or permeable block paving let water soak through to the ground. Non-permeable surfaces need falls directing water to a channel drain, soakaway or garden border. We check levels and drainage during the survey and design the falls accordingly.
Do I need planning permission in South Glamorgan?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. South Glamorgan is in Wales, so Wales'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.
Towns in South Glamorgan
Find your town below. Every place listed in South Glamorgan is covered for a new driveway, with the same survey, written quote and fixed-price process.