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myDropped Kerb Cost
At a Glance
- The average council-quoted dropped kerb cost is typically £1,500–£3,000 (scope and council dependent).
- Dropping a kerb typically takes between 1 - 2 days.
- A breakdown of dropped kerb cost information, including average prices and contractor fees.
- How long the job will take and a general overview of what the task involves.
- How to find and hire a drop kerb contractor near you.
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£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?
There are a number of steps involved in dropping a kerb. Your contractor will be qualified to complete the entire job. Below is a list of all of the steps involved with a dropped kerb installation:
Step 1: Initial 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.
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 any damage that could occur when the job is complete, and vehicles are parking on it.
Step 2: Ground Preparation
The second step involves 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. This step prepares the ground for the kerb drop installation.
Step 3: Dropping the Kerb
The kerbstones will then be lowered in order to create a ramp-style of driveway. 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.
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.
Hiring a Specialist to Drop a Kerb Checklist
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.
There are a number of things that you should look out for when hiring a contractor to complete a kerb dropping job for you. Below is a list of things to look out for when hiring a contractor to complete the job for you:
- Does the contractor have all of the relevant qualifications and accreditations needed to complete the job?
- How much experience does the contract have in dropping kerbs?
- Does the contractor have any reviews or recommendations?
- Get at least 3 quotes for the job so that you can be sure that you are getting a good price for the job.
- Ask for a breakdown of costs on the quote so that you can be sure that you are getting a good price for each of the different elements of the job.
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.
What qualifications does a drop kerb contractor need to have?
Tradespeople must hold a Street Works Qualification (SWQR) to legally carry out work on public roads and lower a kerb.
Most councils in the UK maintain a list of approved contractors who meet these standards.
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.
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
