Dropped Kerb Cost

If you are thinking of building a new driveway and your car will have to mount the kerb to access it, you are going to need a dropped kerb and this is one of the most commonly ignored costs in a driveway cost. It is a separate cost because the work is carried out on the public highway rather than your own property and it has to be approved by your local council.

A dropped kerb costs £1,000 to £2,500 in total and this fee includes the council application fee and the construction work. The final price depends on your local council more than anything else as there isn’t a standard price across the UK. Every council sets its own fees and charges so what you pay will vary depending on where you live currently.

If you have already worked out the cost of your new driveway using our main driveway cost guide or one using one of our material-specific pages, next step is to find out the the cost of a dropped kerb separately because it is not included in a driveway installer’s quote.

Dropped kerb cost at a glance

These are the guide prices for a standard dropped kerb that has no complications. If the crossing is wider than normal or there are obstacles such as trees, lamp posts or utility boxes, you will obviously have to pay more. You will also have to pay more if traffic management is needed while the work is being carried out by the contractor.

Why there’s no single price

Every driveway material page on this site points to this page instead of providing a fixed price because this cost is much more about your local council than it is about the driveway.

The average cost to install a driveway in the UK is pretty much similar but the dropped kerb costs vary too much because each council has its own application process, fees and building charges.

If you look at some of the examples of council fee schedules, you will see that how much prices vary. Birmingham charges £113 for the application fee. Surrey charges a non-refundable first phase fee of £383. Bracknell Forest charges around £1,670 for a regular 5.6m crossing with four dropped kerbs or £2,190 for a wider 7.4m crossing with six dropped kerbs. Enfield does not quote a fixed price at all but charges for construction by the square metre.

That’s why the prices on this website are only a guide. Before setting a budget for a dropped kerb check your own council’s latest fees and not a national average.

The two separate costs, and why people miss one of them

A dropped kerb comes with two separate costs. It’s easy to assume it’s all one bill but that’s not always the case.

Application Fee

Your local council charges you an application or assessment fee and they inspect your driveway site for inspection before any work can start. Depending on your local council, this fee amount can range between £115 to £400 and in most cases the fee is non-refundable, even if your application is refused.

Construction Cost

The second cost is the construction work itself and covers things like lowering the kerbstones, rebuilding the pavement and making everything safe once the work is complete. You will have to pay in the range of £800 to £2,500 and the final price depends on the width of the crossing and how many kerbs need lowering.

Some councils combine both costs into a single quote. Others charge the application fee first and only provide the construction cost after the site inspection. Before setting your driveway budget, check how your local council handles it so you don’t end up missing part of the cost.

What actually affects the price

Number of Kerb Units

A standard single driveway normally needs three to five dropped kerb units but a wider double driveway may need five to seven. More kerbs mean more work so the overall cost increases for you.

Pavement Width

A narrow pavement is cheaper to convert than a wide pavement because there is less ground to dig up and laid again. Many councils base their prices on a standard pavement width of around 1.8 to 2 metres. If you pavement is wider, you will have to pay more.

New Crossing or Extending an Existing One

If your property already has a dropped kerb and you only need to make it wider, the work is often much cheaper than installing a new crossing. As a rough guide, widening an existing dropped kerb can cost between £600 and £1,000.

Traffic Management

Homes on busy roads sometimes need temporary traffic lights or other traffic management while the work is carried out. This can add several hundred pounds to the final bill.

Utilities and Street Furniture

Street lights, utility covers, drainage gullies, trees and other obstacles can all make the job more expensive. If anything needs moving or the contractor has to work around it, the price will increase.

Your Local Council

Every council has its own application fees and construction charges, so two identical dropped kerbs can have different costs just because they are in different parts of the country.

Do you actually need one?

If you need to drive over a raised kerb to get onto your driveway, you will need a dropped kerb before you can use it legally and this rule is applicable regardless of the type of driveway you are getting installed. The rules are the same for every material whether you choose resin, block paving, tarmac, concrete, gravel or pattern imprinted concrete.

If your property already has a dropped kerb and you are just replacing the driveway behind it, you would not need to apply for approval again but if you are planning to widen the access to the driveway then you will need approval from your local council before any work can begin on the site.

How the process works

1. Check your council’s requirements

Start by checking your local council’s website where you can find details of the application process, the current fees and any requirements your property needs to meet to get the approval.

2. Submit your application

You will provide them with your details such as your property address, the proposed width of the crossing and, in some cases, a simple site plan.

3. Site inspection

Your local council will inspect the location before making a decision and they will check for things like underground services, drainage, visibility and any obstacles that could affect the work.

4. Construction

Once your application has been approved, the dropped kerb is installed by a council-approved contractor and a straightforward job can be completed in one or two days.

You should apply for the approval way before the actual work starts as council approval can take some time and you don’t want a finished driveway that you can’t legally drive onto yet.

Questions to ask your council or contractor

Does your fee include both the application and the construction, or are they separate?

This is the single most common source of budget surprises with dropped kerbs.

How many kerb units will my crossing need?

Get this confirmed early because this will affect your actual construction cost.

Is my property affected by traffic management requirements?

If you’re on a busy road, ask your council or contractor about the traffic management requirements before you work out the costs.

Are there any utilities or obstacles near the proposed crossing?

Lamp posts, drainage, and telecoms boxes can all increase the costs so you should know about these obstacles before you commit to a total budget.

How long will approval and construction take?

Get a realistic timeline from your counsil so you can coordinate it with your driveway installation date.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a dropped kerb cost?

You will be paying in the range of £1,000 to £2,500 in total and that includes council application fee of £115 to £400 and the actual construction costs of £800 to £2,500. The exact figure depends on your local council and the size of your crossing.

Do I need a dropped kerb for every type of driveway?

Yes, if your vehicle currently has to mount a raised kerb to access your driveway. This applies regardless of which driveway material you choose, resin, block paving, tarmac, concrete, gravel or pattern imprinted concrete all need the same kerb approval if there isn’t already a proper crossing in place.

Is a dropped kerb included in my driveway installer’s quote?

No, it is not included because dropped kerb is a separate job and the work is arranged through your local council because it takes place on the public road.

Can I get a dropped kerb refused?

Yes, it can be refused. Your council can refuse your application if the location isn’t suitable for a dropped kerb. Reasons can include things like poor visibility, the type of road or underground utilities. The application fee is non-refundable even if your application is refused.

How long does it take to get a dropped kerb approved and installed?

It totally depends on your local council and it can take several weeks from applying to the work being finished. To avoid any delays in work, you should try to apply before your driveway installation starts.

Does widening an existing dropped kerb cost less than a new one?

Yes, widening an existing dropped kerb will cost you less than installing a new one because less work is required. As a guide, it can cost you between £600 to £1,000 compared with £1,000 to £2,500 for a new dropped kerb.