Frequently asked questions
Everything Northampton homeowners ask about driveways: prices, planning rules, materials, timescales and getting a quote. Can't find your answer? Send it with the quote form and we'll reply.
Getting a quote
Describe your drive in the two-minute form and local professionals quote for the work, free and in writing. Compare on the detail: excavation depth, sub-base spec, drainage and finish.
Prices
Full 2026 pricing by material and drive size is in our Northampton cost guide. In brief: gravel £26 to £55/m², tarmac £38 to £75/m², block paving and resin £60 to £110/m², imprinted concrete £75 to £125/m², all supplied and laid. A typical two-car drive totals £2,200 to £5,800.
Rules and permissions
The 5m² front-garden rule, dropped kerbs and conservation-area considerations are all covered in the planning permission guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the quote really free?
Yes. You describe the job in the form, professionals quote for it, and you decide in your own time. No charge and no pressure.
How quickly will I hear back?
Fast. The more detail you give in the form (size, surface, photos if you have them), the faster and more accurate the quotes.
How much does a driveway cost in Northampton?
£2,200 to £5,800 for a typical two-car drive. Per m²: gravel £26 to £55, tarmac £38 to £75, block paving and resin £60 to £110, imprinted concrete £75 to £125, supplied and laid at 2026 prices.
Do I need planning permission for a new driveway?
Only for more than 5m² of non-permeable front-garden surface without drainage to a permeable area. Resin bound, gravel and permeable block paving are exempt. New dropped kerbs always need council approval, and conservation areas add scrutiny.
Does living in a conservation area change anything?
It can. Northampton has many, and changes visible from the street can attract closer attention from the council. Sensitive material choices (gravel, sett-look paving, muted resin blends) usually keep things simple. The planning guide covers the detail.
How long does installation take?
2 to 5 days for most drives: excavation and sub-base first, then the surface. Block paving takes longest on intricate patterns; tarmac and resin are quickest.
Which driveway material is best?
Depends on the house: gravel or sett-look block paving suits period Northampton properties, resin bound suits modern estates, tarmac is best value on larger areas. Our comparison guide walks through the trade-offs.
Can you lay over my existing drive?
Sometimes. Tarmac and resin can overlay a genuinely sound existing base, saving excavation cost. Cracked or moving bases must come out. You get an honest answer at survey.
What guarantee should I expect?
Typically 5 to 10 years on workmanship, stated in the written quote. Surface materials carry their own expectations: blocks 20 to 30 years, resin 15 to 25, tarmac 15 to 25.
Which areas do you cover?
All NN1 to NN5 postcodes: the whole of Northampton plus Wootton, Weston Favell, Moulton, Hardingstone and the villages between.
Will I be pressured to buy?
No. The quote is free and the decision is yours, in your own time.