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.
We take on a new driveway throughout Shoreham-by-Sea and the surrounding BN42 and BN43 postcodes, as well as in Lancing, Portslade and Worthing. The guide range for this work in the South East is £4,500–£10,000 including VAT; where your project falls depends on its size, the materials you pick and how easy the site is to reach. A free survey turns that range into a fixed figure.
- Guide price
- £4,500–£10,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Postcodes
- BN42 and BN43
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- West Sussex
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a new driveway cost in Shoreham-by-Sea?
Prices for a new driveway vary from house to house, but in Shoreham-by-Sea most projects fall within £4,500–£10,000 including VAT. That reflects costs in the South East, about 12% 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 Shoreham-by-Sea |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel or tarmac | A typical 40–50m² drive in gravel on a grid, or tarmac with block edging. | £2,200–£5,600 |
| Block paving or resin bound | A typical 40–50m² drive with sub-base, edging and drainage. | £4,500–£10,000 |
| Large or premium driveway | Larger drives, natural stone, walls, steps or a new dropped kerb. | £9,000–£18,000 |
Expect these to shape the final quote:
- 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?
- Survey of levels, drainage, manholes and access
- 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
- Manhole covers raised or replaced to new levels
- Site cleared and waste removed
Local housing and a new driveway
Chichester has Georgian brick streets, Downland villages use flint and brick, and Horsham stone slabs cover some older roofs. Worthing and Bognor Regis have interwar and post-war bungalows and semis, Crawley was planned as a post-war new town, and Wealden villages to the north feature tile-hanging and timber framing.
Bungalows commonly suit loft conversions and extensions; new-town homes often take window, roofline and cladding renewal. Flint and stone properties need lime repointing, and coastal homes may need external decorating more often.
Whatever era your Shoreham-by-Sea home dates from, we plan a new driveway around how it is actually built rather than a one-size-fits-all specification.
Permissions for a new driveway in Shoreham-by-Sea
Which rules apply depends on where you live. For Shoreham-by-Sea, 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.
Price and scope agreed
Next you receive a written quote with a fixed price for the agreed specification. It lists what is included, what is not, and how payments are staged, so you can compare it properly.
Dates and permissions
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 Shoreham-by-Sea property.
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
Common questions
Which driveway surface is easiest to maintain?
Resin bound gravel is one of the easiest surfaces to maintain, because it is smooth, porous and resists weeds, needing only an occasional sweep and wash. Block paving needs re-sanding joints and occasional weed control. Tarmac needs little upkeep but can soften in heat. Gravel needs raking and topping up. We explain the upkeep of each surface before you choose.
Who do I deal with during the job?
One point of contact manages your project from survey to handover. They schedule the trades working under our contract, keep you updated on progress, and are the person to call with any question. You don't need to coordinate builders, electricians or decorators separately, because that is part of what we do.
Do I need planning permission in Shoreham-by-Sea?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Shoreham-by-Sea 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 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 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 Shoreham-by-Sea
We cover every part of Shoreham-by-Sea, including BN42 and BN43, and nearby Lancing, Portslade and Worthing. Wherever you are within that patch, the survey is free and the quote comes to you in writing.