Looking for a driveway contractor across Mid & East Antrim? NI Trades is an introduction service that matches Northern Ireland homeowners with driveway contractors who have passed our application-stage checks. Mid & East Antrim is one of 11 NI council districts; tradespeople choose the councils they cover, so picking a council means you reach every driveway contractor who works anywhere in this district. Post your job in two minutes - only profiles of driveway contractors interested in your specific job are revealed, and your contact details stay private until you choose who to talk to. Insurance, credentials and references are checked at application stage only - please verify current insurance and credentials directly with any tradesperson before work begins or any money is paid.
What hiring a driveway contractor in Mid & East Antrim looks like
Mid & East Antrim is a mix of coastal towns and rural hinterland north of Belfast, home to around 139,000 people across towns like Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne. Housing runs from post-war and mid-century estates in Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne to coastal stock along the Antrim shore and dispersed rural farms inland toward the Antrim plateau.
For a driveway contractor that usually means driveways, patios and hard landscaping. Carrickfergus and Larne sit on the Phoenix gas network and Ballymena on the firmus network, but the rural hinterland is largely oil-heated.
Mid & East Antrim at a glance
Population
around 139,000 (2021 Census)
Main towns
Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne
District
a mix of coastal towns and rural hinterland north of Belfast
Heating
Carrickfergus and Larne sit on the Phoenix gas network and Ballymena on the firmus network, but the rural hinterland is largely oil-heated.
Extension Building Control fee
around £385 (Full Plans, 2026)
Sources: NISRA Census 2021 (population); each council's published Building Control fees schedule (2026 snapshot, fees rise each April); Phoenix Energy, firmus energy and the Gas to the West project (gas-network coverage).
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How it works
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Describe what needs doing and confirm your job is in Mid & East Antrim. Tradespeople see only the job - never your contact details.
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Building Control and approvals in Mid & East Antrim
If your driveway contractor job involves building, electrical, heating or drainage work that needs sign-off, it is approved by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council's own Building Control office, not a UK-wide body. A typical domestic extension on the Full Plans route costs around £385 in Mid & East Antrim as of 2026, and Building Control fees across the 11 NI councils rise each April.
Before work starts, check whether you also need planning permission: see our NI planning permission guide and NI Building Regulations guide. Council Building Control applications across Northern Ireland go through Building Control NI.
Common services
- Full driveway dig-out, sub-base and surface install
- Tarmac and asphalt driveways
- Block paving (concrete, clay, permeable)
- Resin-bound and resin-bonded driveways
- Gravel driveways with edging
- Permeable paving (SuDS-compliant)
- Driveway extension and widening
- Edging, kerbs and steps
- Surface-water drainage (channel drains, soakaway, gullies)
- Patio installation in matching or contrasting finish
- Driveway repair, re-pointing and re-sealing
- Old driveway removal and disposal
What to ask before hiring
- What depth of sub-base are you installing?
- How are you handling surface-water drainage — soakaway, channel drain, or to the road?
- Will the surface be permeable, and do I need planning permission?
- How will the edging be laid — haunched concrete, kerb stones?
- How long will the work take, and what is the day rate of the crew?
- Do you provide a written guarantee on the work, and for how long?
- Do you have current public liability insurance?
Typical costs in Northern Ireland
| Job type | Typical price | Notes |
|---|
| Tarmac driveway | £45–£85/m² | NI 2026; includes dig-out + 100–150 mm sub-base + binder + wearing course |
| Block paving | £80–£150/m² | Standard concrete blocks; clay or permeable adds 10–25% |
| Permeable block paving (SuDS-compliant) | £90–£170/m² | Avoids planning permission requirement for front driveways |
| Resin-bound driveway | £80–£130/m² | Over an existing concrete or tarmac base; sub-base extra if needed |
| Gravel driveway | £25–£55/m² | Includes membrane and edging |
| Sub-base only (per m²) | £25–£45/m² | For pricing comparison; usually included in surface price |
| Channel drain install | £40–£90/linear m | Connected to soakaway or storm water |
| Soakaway install | £800–£2,200 | Variable depending on ground conditions and access |
| Driveway widening | £500–£2,500 | Depending on width gained and edging required |
| Patio (matching surface) | £60–£140/m² | Often added as part of a driveway scheme |
Qualifications & accreditations to look for
Interlay (Interlocking Block Paving)
UK association for block paving and hard landscaping
British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI)
Trade body covering driveways and hard landscaping
Marshalls Register / Brett Approved Installer
Manufacturer-recognised installer schemes
CSCS Card
Construction Skills Certification Scheme — site competence
CITB Health & Safety
Required where the crew employs sub-contractors or labourers
Public Liability Insurance
Minimum £2m — required on NI Trades for driveway work
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission for a new driveway in Northern Ireland?
For a residential front driveway in NI, planning permission is normally required for a non-permeable surface (asphalt, tarmac, concrete, non-permeable block paving) larger than five square metres that drains to the public road. A permeable surface — permeable block paving, resin-bound, gravel, or a driveway draining to a soakaway on your own land — does not normally need planning permission. The rules are NI-specific and your contractor should be familiar with them. Where there is doubt, contact your local Council Planning Service before work starts.
How deep should the sub-base be?
For a residential driveway carrying car and light van traffic, a standard NI specification is 100–150 mm of compacted Type 1 MOT sub-base on a geotextile membrane. Heavier vehicles (motorhomes, regular delivery vans) and softer ground push that to 200 mm or more. Any contractor quoting "we will lay it straight on top" or "we don't need much sub-base because the ground is solid" is a red flag — the sub-base is the single biggest factor in whether a driveway lasts five years or twenty.
How long should a new driveway last?
A correctly installed driveway in NI should last 15–25 years before any major maintenance. Tarmac may need a top dressing or re-seal at the 10–15 year mark, block paving may need re-pointing or joint refilling at 5–8 years, and resin-bound surfaces usually need a UV-resistant top coat at 10–15 years. Ask your contractor what warranty they offer in writing — most reputable NI installers offer a 5–10 year written guarantee against settlement and surface failure.
My existing driveway is uneven. Can it be repaired without a full re-lay?
Often, yes. Block paving can be lifted, re-laid on a corrected sub-base, and re-pointed at far less cost than a full re-lay. Tarmac can be patched and top-dressed if the failures are localised. Resin-bound surfaces are harder to spot-repair — usually the affected section is fully relaid and edge-blended. Any quote for full demolition without inspecting the sub-base first is worth a second opinion. A good contractor will lift a corner of the existing surface, check the base condition, and only recommend a full re-lay if the base itself has failed.
Helpful NI guides for hiring a driveway contractor
Important
In Northern Ireland a permeable driveway (block paving with permeable joints, resin-bound, gravel) does not normally need planning permission. A non-permeable surface (concrete, asphalt, tarmac) larger than five square metres that drains to the road normally does require planning permission. Confirm in writing before signing.
Mid & East Antrim is part of our Northern Ireland directory. NI Trades is an introduction service, we list tradespeople who have passed our application-stage checks, but we are not party to any contract you enter into with a tradesperson. See how we vet tradespeople or browse all trade categories.