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 Melksham and the surrounding SN12 postcodes, as well as in Trowbridge, Chippenham and Bath. The guide range for this work in the South West is £4,100–£9,200 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
- £4,100–£9,200 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Postcodes
- SN12
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Wiltshire
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Driveways prices in Melksham
The table below shows guide prices for a new driveway in Melksham. They are based on rates in the South West, which run about 2% above the national guide, giving an overall range of £4,100–£9,200. All figures include VAT and are firmed up after a free site survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Melksham |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Expect these to shape the final quote:
- Driveway area and the depth of excavation needed
- Surface: gravel, tarmac, block paving, resin or stone
- Edging, steps, walls and manhole adjustments
- Access for machinery and removal of spoil
What’s included?
- Survey of levels, drainage, manholes and access
- Excavation and removal of the old surface and soil
- Edging kerbs or restraints to hold the surface in place
- Manhole covers raised or replaced to new levels
- New surface laid, compacted and finished
- Site cleared and waste removed
Building in Melksham
Salisbury has medieval and Georgian streets, the north-west around Corsham and Bradford on Avon uses Bath stone, and chalk and flint appear on the downland. Swindon has railway-village terraces and very large post-war and modern estates, and many Wiltshire villages have thatched cottages, some with chalk cob walls.
Salisbury Plain and the downs are exposed to wind and frost, while river valleys around Salisbury and the Avon can flood.
Knowing the typical building types in Wiltshire helps, but a survey of your own home in Melksham is what decides the right approach to a new driveway.
Planning and building rules in Melksham
Homes in Melksham 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?
Free site survey
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.
Your fixed price
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.
Dates and permissions
Preparation matters as much as the build. We agree access, parking and working hours with you, order materials in good time, and confirm any permissions so the job isn't held up once it starts.
The work itself
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.
What you can expect from us
Frequently asked questions
How much will a new driveway cost in Melksham?
As a guide, expect to pay £4,100–£9,200 including VAT for a new driveway in Melksham. That range is adjusted for the South West, which runs about 2% above the national guide. Where your project lands depends on size, materials, access and the condition of what is already there. We confirm a fixed price in writing after a free survey of your home.
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.
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.
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 happens at the survey?
We visit your home at a time that suits you, look at the area involved, take measurements and check access, condition and any services that might be affected. We talk through what you want from a new driveway, explain the options and answer questions. There is no charge and no obligation; afterwards we send a written quote.
Nearby towns
We cover every part of Melksham, including SN12, and nearby Trowbridge, Chippenham and Bath. Wherever you are within that patch, the survey is free and the quote comes to you in writing.