Planning driveway widening
Widening is measured as the length of the run multiplied by the extra width. A long narrow strip can involve more edge work per square metre than a rectangular driveway.
Check boundaries and the road access arrangement before deciding where the extra width can be built.
Measuring the work for this calculator
Measure only the added strip or extension. Multiply its length by the additional width, rather than entering the area of the driveway that will remain. Split an irregular extension into rectangular sections and calculate each section separately.
What the driveway widening estimate covers
The selected surface guide is multiplied by the measured area. It is an early installation allowance, not a named-product quotation. Ordinary preparation must not be added twice. Existing-surface breakout, abnormal ground, engineered drainage, boundaries and highway work need their own agreed scope where excluded.
The first guide option is gravel widening. Its allowance is £40–£70 for the relevant unit shown in the result. This is a published-guide starting point; it is not a price offered by a contractor on this website.
Choose the specification and separate allowances
The available work options are gravel widening; tarmac widening; concrete widening; block paving widening; resin-bound widening. Select the one that matches the proposed scope before comparing the result.
Reading the budget breakdown
The results show the measured quantity, the selected work allowance and any separately selected items. A volume, unit count or coverage result is a quantity check, not a construction design. Where the model uses a minimum visit allowance or whole bags, the displayed total will not fall in direct proportion to a very small area.
Use the optional contingency to make a separate budget provision. Add a quoted fixed allowance only for work outside the model’s stated scope. Check the VAT basis before selecting the VAT adjustment.
Compare quotations for driveway widening
Give contractors the same measurements and work description. Ask them to identify the main work, preparation, disposal, access requirements, drainage and any making-good that applies to this project. An apparent saving can simply mean that a different part of the scope has been priced.
Check boundaries and the road access arrangement before deciding where the extra width can be built. Keep the agreed specification with the quote, including any exclusions and the way changes discovered during the work will be authorised.