While some homeowners don’t find the need to have a driveway, it’s a great feature to have in your home. It can serve as a space to park your vehicles without getting inside your home. In addition, having a driveway can increase the value of your property. But can you afford to build one? Here’s how much driveways cost in Birmingham.
- Factors to Consider
Various factors could affect the cost of building a driveway in Birmingham. These include the size of the area, location, existing surface, accessibility, and surface type. You might think that a smaller driveway will be cheaper. But the rate per square metre will actually be lower for larger areas due to economies of scale. Therefore, it’s more cost-effective to have a more spacious driveway.
The location is another factor that affects the price. If you live far from where the contractors are based, you will have to pay more for their transportation. The surface type will also affect the overall cost of a driveway. Many homeowners opt for imprinted concrete since it has decorative patterns. While concrete is the most popular, the other options include clay, asphalt, paver, natural stone, and bricks.
- The Best Driveway Materials
The driveway material is often the main factor affecting the overall cost of driveways in Birmingham. If you’re trying to save money, you can opt for cheaper materials like concrete. But if you don’t mind splurging a bit for a more durable and attractive driveway, you can go for the more expensive ones, such as clay and natural stone.
If you buy the materials yourself, you need to compute the number of blocks you need for the project. Add an extra 10% to account for wastage and ensure you have enough blocks to complete the job. Concrete costs around £20 to £60 per m2, while natural stone blocks cost £50 to £105 per m2 and clay blocks cost £70 to £100 per m2.
- Dropping Your Curb for a Driveway
A dropped kerb allows vehicles to pass through the public pavement to reach a private driveway, allowing for safe, off-road parking that can add value to your property. The dropped kerb access is an essential part of Birmingham’s public highway and is to be maintained by the council. Applying for a dropped curb will cost some money. There is a £98 application fee, which is non-refundable and includes the inspection of the proposed location.
The standard width crossing will cost around £2,000 to £4,000, which already includes the admin fee of £281. The cost should also include the labour and materials. However, it does not include additional labour costs, such as moving cables, cutting trees, etc. You could expect to spend around £6,000 or more.
If they find that a utility plant needs to be removed or relocated during the inspection, you will be asked not to start the construction. Also, the work must only be carried out by contractors authorised by the Birmingham City Council.