Driveway Widening - Dropped-Kerb Extension

uncle_ben_2

I've recently (with the help of a bricklayer friend) knocked down and rebuilt a wall at the boundary of our house to widen the driveway. The next step will be to have the dropped-kerb widened, but I have no idea how much this is likely to cost.

I have checked with the local highways dept, and the only info. they've given me is that before the work is done, I have to apply for a license (at a cost of £75), and that I need to bear the cost of the works myself, which must be carried out by somebody who is approved. They won't give me a list of approved people to do the work, and the (non-refundable) license lasts for 6 months...

I'm reluctant to pay out this fee without any idea how much the alterations will cost - particularly as there is such a short time-frame on it. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Avoriaz

My neighbours spent about £300 on theirs but don't rely on that figure.

Asher

That is fairly standard advice, in our area it is about £350 but they will not let you have it if you are near a letterbox, telegraph pole or a street light unless you pay for that to be moved as well. I would ring up a few people from the paper and ask if they have carried out such work before if the council cannot suggest anyone. Then armed with the estimate you can approach the council for the permission and give them a name at the same time.

Ms_Chocaholic

When we applied to drop the kerb outside our home as a result of us widening our drive, we could only use LA approved contractors who, as a result, charged extortionate prices as they knew we had to use them. Cost us around £650 and that was one of the cheapest quotes.

dick_turpin

It is usual to insist on streetworks accredited operatives to work on the public highway. This reduces the liklihood of the council picking up the pieces at the expense of the council tax payer if things go wrong. My authority does provide a list of suitably qualified contractors but it it only a guide as newly qualified companies can appear at any time. The council will not recommend anyone, just advise who it is aware of that could do the work.
It really isn't possible to give a guide on prices because there are so many variables. Width of footway, repositioning of street furniture, manholes, location of underground services and distance to the site etc.
I would push the local authority for guidance on suitable contractors or the possibility of using the council's contractor....at least for a quote!
The license fee is also at a similar level to here!
Hope this helps,

DC

uncle_ben_2

Thanks for the advice... I honestly had no idea how much it would cost, and was envisaging £1000's - so it is reassuring to hear the sort of price range it could be! Hopefully it will be nearer the £300 mark than £600... but you're right, I do need to push the LA for a list of current approved contractors to get a better quote.

In the meantime, if anybody else wants to offer their twopennysworth, half the driveway has a dropped-kerb, which needs to be extended on both sides by about 1m, as it only covers half the gap. There are no manholes/pillars/posts in the immediate vicinity, although there is a streetlamp not too far away...

Thanks

Uncle_Fester_2

Is your property on a main road?