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myDropped Kerb Cost
At a Glance
- The average cost for a dropped kerb is typically £1,500 – £3,000.
- Most jobs take 1 - 2 days to complete.
- Dropped kerb cost breakdown by size of job.
- Our drop kerb cost calculator for a quick estimate.
- How long the job takes and what's typically involved.
- How to find a drop kerb contractor using MyJobQuote.
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Asking yourself, "How much is a dropped kerb?" You're not the only one.
Take a look at our guide to discover what affects the drop kerb cost and exactly how the process works. You'll also discover what councils look for, plus what to expect from contractors.
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Want to find out more before you start comparing drop kerb prices?
For all the details on lowering a kerb, carry on reading...
£2,000
Table of Contents
How Much for a Dropped Kerb?
So, how much does a dropped kerb cost. on average? If you are looking to drop a kerb for domestic vehicle access, you will find that the prices will vary. The ability to drop a kerb depends on your location and the local council policy.
The pavement usually belongs to the local council, so with this in mind, you will have to apply to get the kerb dropped. Visit your local council’s website or give them a call. You’ll pay a non-refundable council fee that varies widely by area (examples: Birmingham £113, Enfield £291, Suffolk £430 for assessment).
In most cases, you will have to use one of the council’s approved contractors to carry out the work — often for a fixed fee. However, some council authorities will allow you to choose your own contractor or even do it yourself once permission has been granted.
Each local council will charge different amounts for dropping a kerb, but the average cost for the complete job is usually around £800 to £1,200. There are a number of other factors that can affect the cost, including the size of the pavement, your location, and the number of kerbs that need to be dropped.
Dropped Kerb Prices
The average kerb dropping job usually involves removing between 3 to 7 kerbstones. The cost of this will vary depending on a number of factors.
The average drop kerb prices can be found in the following table.
Note: Councils usually charge fixed packages or £/m² with reinstatement, not “per kerb”. Use this table as a rough guide only—your council schedule takes precedence.
| Number of Kerbs | Pavement Under 2M | Pavement 2M – 2.5M | Pavement 2.5M – 3M | Pavement 3M – 3.5M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Kerbs | £300 – £350 | £380 – £430 | £420 – £470 | £510 – £560 |
| 3 Kerbs | £420 – £470 | £510 – £560 | £580 – £620 | £650 – £700 |
| 4 Kerbs | £580 – £630 | £670 – £720 | £790 – £840 | £900 – £950 |
| 5 Kerbs | £700 – £750 | £790 – £840 | £950 – £1,000 | £1,200 – £1,400 |
| 6 Kerbs | £880 – £930 | £1,000 – £1,050 | £1,140 – £1,190 | £1,280 – £1,330 |
| 7 Kerbs | £980 – £1,030 | £1,120 – £1,170 | £1,280 – £1,330 | £1,470 – £1,520 |
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Labour Costs and Timescales
The time it takes to drop a kerb can depend on a number of factors including the length and width of the kerb to be dropped, the complexity of the job, and how many people are working on the job. On-site construction is typically 1–2 days. Scheduling after approval varies by council (often a 2–3 week window once the licence is issued).
Any council inspection/assessment fee is set locally (e.g., Oldham admin/inspection together ~£140, Liverpool driveway inspection £50, Suffolk technical assessment £430).
Your local council may appoint an approved contractor to carry out the work for you, or some councils may let you choose your own contractor, but you will usually need to get them approved by the council before the work starts. If they do allow you to pick, you’ll need to make sure the contractor is on their approved list before work begins.
Where the council supplies the contractor, you’ll pay the council’s fixed schedule. In areas that let you appoint your own, costs are quoted per job under a street-works permit rather than a simple day rate. Some kerbs may take longer to drop, and so will wind up costing more in labour costs than others.
Can driveway installers usually sort out getting a kerb dropped or is that something the homeowner needs to do?
"Normally you need permission from the local council and only builders with a street works ticket are legally allowed to drop a kerb. This is to do with working in the highway."
Additional Dropped Kerb Costs
There are some additional costs that you may need to be aware of when dropping a kerb.
Below is a price list of all of the extra things that you may wish to consider on a kerb dropping job, especially if you’re upgrading your driveway at the same time:
| Job Description | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| New Driveway Cost | £1,800 – £2,500 |
| Wall Demolition Cost | £300 – £1,000 |
| Driveway Gate Cost | £100 – £500 |
| New Fence Cost | £500 – £1,500 |
| CCTV Installation Cost | £225 – £850 |
| Outdoor Lighting Cost | £10 – £100 |
| Skip Hire Cost | £100 – £200 |
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What Impacts the Drop Kerb Price?
There are a number of things that may affect dropped kerb prices.
One of the main factors that will affect the cost of the job is your location. Each council charges a different amount for the application fee, which can range from anywhere between £50 to £350.
Creating or widening a front hardstanding over 5m²? Then it must be porous/permeable or drain to a permeable area, otherwise you may need planning permission.
Some councils will pay back half of the fee if the job is declined and other councils may put the application fee towards the cost of the job. Some councils will charge a fixed fee and use their own contractors to complete the job.
Those living in the London area should expect to pay around £50 to £100 more for the job of dropping a kerb than those living in the North of the UK.
The cost of lowering a kerb will also increase depending on the width of the footpath and the number of kerbs that need to be dropped in total.
Dropping 2 kerbs on a pavement under 2m can cost as little as £300whereas a job dropping 7 kerbs on a 3-3.5m pavement can cost up to £1,520.
As you can see, the size of the pavement and the amount of kerbs to be dropped can greatly affect the total cost of the job.
If you have any obstructions that may get in the way of dropping the kerb, you may need additional work. This could be things such as tree removals or pathway clearings, and these extras will add additional costs to the total job cost.
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What's Involved in Dropping a Kerb?
Dropping a kerb isn't a straightforward DIY job.
There are council requirements and qualifications to consider, which is why most homeowners hire an approved contractor to handle the work.
With MyJobQuote, you can request several quotes from drop kerb contractors near you. It's fast, free, and there's no obligation to go ahead.
Let's take a look at the process of getting a kerb dropped:
Before the Job Starts
- Site Assessment — The first step involves assessing the area and checking the ground for any cables or pipes that may get in the way of the job.
- Protecting Utilities — If cables or pipes are present, they may need to be protected before the job can start to avoid any damage that may occur during the process of dropping the kerb or when vehicles are parking on it.
During the Job
- Excavating the Area — The drop kerb contractors will need to measure how far they need to dig into the pavement in order to complete the job without damaging the existing foundations.
- Lowering the Kerbstones — The kerbstones will then be lowered in order to create a ramp-style of driveway.
After the Job
- Strengthening the Kerb — This is then strengthened to ensure that the new kerbstones are strong enough to support the weight of any vehicles that may be moving or parking on them.
- Re-tarmacking — Once the newly dropped kerbstones have been installed, the area can then be re-tarmacked to complete the job.
Can I Drop a Kerb Myself?
Most local councils will provide a contractor for you to complete the job, or they may offer a list of approved contractors that can be used with permission.
You (and your contractor) must hold valid SWQR (Street Works) cards under the New Roads and Street Works Act.
Is planning permission or building regulations approval needed to re-pave an existing driveway?
"No planning permission is needed unless you have to do drop kerb on main footpath."
Councils will strongly advise against completing a kerb dropping job yourself, and many will simply not allow it. However, there may be some exceptions to this rule if you are fully qualified to complete the job yourself.
In order to be able to complete the job yourself, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must obtain a Road Opening Notice
- You must adhere to the highway guidelines that are set out in chapter eight
- You must have a full NRSWA accreditation
- You must have access to a utility drawing for the area
- You must have public liability insurance that covers a minimum of £10 million
- You much have planning consent to complete the job
- You must have access to the highway authority’s vehicle crossing installation standards
If you do have all of the above, then it is likely that your local council will allow you to complete the job yourself. However, if ALL of the above don’t apply to you, then you must use a contractor that has been provided by your local council.
Cost of Reinstalling a Kerb
Reinstalling a kerb involves reinstating the full kerbstones and ensuring that the kerb is lifted to its original height in line with the surrounding kerbstones. Your local council may reinstate and lay a kerb if the dropped kerb has any complications or cracks in it or if the dropped kerb has been installed illegally.
If you would like a dropped kerb to be reinstalled and replaced as a full kerb, you will need to get in touch with your local council who will usually provide a contractor for you to complete the job.
A typical contractor will usually charge around £180 to £220 per day for a full day’s work, although this can differ depending on the complexity of the job and your location. Some kerbs may take longer to reinstate, and so this will end up costing more in labour costs than others.
Since local councils usually provide the contractor for you, it is not recommended that you reinstate a kerb yourself – it shouldn’t be done as a DIY job.
Checklist: Hiring a Specialist to Drop a Kerb
Quite often, your local council will provide a contractor for you to complete the job of dropping a kerb. However, some local councils will allow you to choose a contractor yourself.
Below is a list of things to look out for when hiring a contractor to complete the job for you:
- Do they hold a valid SWQR (Street Works) qualification? Contractors must hold this qualification to legally carry out work on public highways. Most councils maintain a list of approved contractors who meet this standard.
- Do they have insurance? Public liability insurance is something you want a contractor to have in case something goes wrong. For highway work, look for cover of at least £10 million.
- How much experience do they have with dropping kerbs? Ask how many similar jobs they've completed. Ideally, you're looking for someone with a few years of experience working on council-approved projects.
- Have you been given an itemised quote? Ask for a breakdown of the costs for materials, labour, and any council fees, so there are no surprises.
- Have you compared multiple quotes? It's worth getting at least three quotes so you can be confident you're getting a fair price for the job.
- Do they have positive reviews? Check their MyJobQuote profile to read feedback from other homeowners.
FAQs
Do I need a dropped kerb?
If you intend to drive a vehicle over the pavement into your driveway, then you will need to get a dropped kerb.
If you don’t have a drop kerb, you shouldn’t drive over the pavement. Doing so is breaking the law, and you may be subject to enforcement action if you continue to drive over a full kerb.
What happens if I drop a kerb without permission?
If you drop a kerb without permission, it could be removed at any time. You may also have to pay additional costs to have the kerb reinstated, or for any damage caused to utilities or the footpath as a result of your work.
Some councils may also issue fines to those who have dropped a kerb illegally.
How long does dropped kerb approval take?
The time it takes to get dropped kerb approval will depend on your local council. Most councils take around 8 to 16 weeks to process applications. Once approved and paid for, the construction work usually follows within 6 to 14 weeks, depending on weather and roadworks in the area.
What type of vehicles can be used on the new dropped kerb?
Dropped kerbs can be used by private light goods vehicles.
Heavy goods vehicles should not be used on them as these can damage the area, which may result in you being charged for repairs.
Can I get a blue badge discount on a dropped kerb?
If someone in your household has a blue badge, you might get a discount on the cost of your dropped kerb. Some councils also give back the application fee if your request is refused, but check with your local council to see what options are available in your area.
Sources
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/dropped-kerbs/what-is-a-dropped-kerb
https://www.gov.uk/apply-dropped-kerb
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/street-works-qualifications-in-england/street-works-qualifications-in-england-guidance-for-operatives-and-supervisors
https://www.tameside.gov.uk/kerbdropping
https://www.buyaplan.co.uk/blog/89-10-tips-for-getting-planning-permission-for-a-dropped-kerb
