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Dropped Kerb Cost & Prices 2023

The process of dropping a kerb varies massively around the UK and depends on your particular local council, all of which have a slightly different process in dealing with dropped kerb applications. 

The process is confusing, largely because kerbs are often maintained by the council itself – you will rarely own the kerb outside of your home. 

Consequently, the cost of a drop kerb is subject to regional variation. Each council has its own approach to dropping a kerb and will usually provide you with a list of contractors that meet the requirement for highway construction. 

This article will cover how the costs involved in dropping a kerb in the UK, factors affecting the cost and other common questions.

Average Cost

The primary variable when dropping a kerb is the number of kerbs you wish to drop. The majority of kerbs are built to a standard specification of 914mm in length. Most driveways require 3 dropped kerbs at a minimum. 

Using publicly accessible council data and quotes from 6 driveway constructors, we found these average prices for dropping a kerb in the UK. Prices include labour and materials. 

Prices increase from some 10% to 20% extra in the south of England to some 40% or higher in London. Some councils (e.g. Surrey) quote that prices can rise to some £4,000, though this would probably entail some excavation work or moving access points. 

Number of KerbsPavement Width Pavement Width 2m - 2.5mPavement Width 2.5m - 3mPavement Width 3.0m - 3.5m
2£400£475£525£600
3£600£750£775£825
4£750£850£875£925
5£875£1000£1100£1250
6£1100£1250£1350£1425
7£1200£1400£1600£1750

Extra Dropped Kerb Costs

Extra costs are mostly associated with moving various utility access points, tree excavation and drainage. The inspector or contractor will let you know if there are any points worth raising in your application. 

Where the council supplies the quote, they should also quote you in for additional costs as shown below. 

Reinforcing the Pavement£300 - £500
Tree Excavation / Removal£300 - £1500 (rarely permitted for larger trees)
Moving Access Points£300 - £750+
Drainage£300 - £750+
Moving Lamp Posts and Traffic Lights£1,000+

Application and Licence Costs

Some councils charge for applications and highway work licences separately, some seem to roll the cost into one overall charge. 

Dropped kerb applications range from just £35 in Tameside (for quotation only) to some £80 in Dorset and Merthyr Tydfil, £103 in Broxbourne, £125 in Surrey, £179 in Wokingham and as much as £320 in Kent (though they return £150 if the application is declined). 

Some councils (e.g. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) separate the highway work licence and the application fee, so you’ll need to pay both (£110 and £330 respectively for BCP council). 

Other councils (e.g. Surrey and Tameside) provide a survey/quotation as part of the fee. Others (e.g. Kent and West Sussex) charge one fee for both the application and licence. 

Hiring a Contractor

If you wish to hire a private contractor to drop a kerb, either with or without a driveway installation, then they must:

  • Have full NRSWA staff accreditation
  • Public Liability Insurance, usually a minimum of £10,000,000 but sometimes less depending on the council
  • Hold a licence for working on the highway 
  • Full service/utility breakdown of the pavement and drawings for the location
  • Conform to the Codes of Practice under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991
  • This is your responsibility and you’ll have to clear the contractor with the council prior to undertaking work

In summary, if you choose to add a new driveway to your home, convert your front garden area into a driveway or extend your driveway, you may need a dropped kerb. You cannot access your driveway over the kerb – this will damage both your vehicle and the kerb and is a criminal offence. 

Get Pricing on Dropped Kerbs Near You

We’ve done our best to give you a good idea of what you can expect to pay for a dropped kerb.

However, our guides are not a substitute for a fixed quote specifically for you.

We work with all the best installers ready to price your job. Get free, no-obligation quotes in your local area and compare prices using the form below.

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About the Author

Alex Johnson is a qualified quantity surveyor and writer with a passion for conducting original research and uncovering the true cost of jobs. His cost data has been referenced by EDF Energy and the Scottish Government.