Creating a drive way - worth it?

[Seainasive]

We’re end of terrace. We have pedestrian access from one neighbour’s drive, on the attached side, and access for a small car only from a neighbour’s driveway on the other side.

Quotes for creating a drive/ parking space directly from the road are £7k upwards as there is a height difference of about half a meter between our garden and the road.

it would of course make our lives easier having off road parking, but would it add much value to the house when we eventually sell it?

I would say so, yes. Far more people would be interested with a parking spot

Yes, especially if parking is scarce where you are. I used to live on roads of terraced housing where parking was a shit show and an off road space made a house much more desirable

Not sure if you would get your full money back but it will make your property more saleable and ultimately if you have found your onward purchase that is worth such a lot of peace of mind,

I think in the majority of houses it’s worth it but not always.

1. how much is your house valued at approx? If your house is worth £100k then £10k cost wouldn’t be worth it as it’s 10% of the value and unlikely to be worth 10% more with a drive than without. Whereas if it’s worth £300k, then £10k only represents 3% of the value so would be worth the investment.

How easily accessed is free on the road parking? If parking is hard to find then a driveway will definitely make your house easier to sell and worth more.

You then have to factor in the value to you whilst you stay there.

I would expect in the vast majority of areas, a driveway is well worth the investment. Most people want parking these days.

Diagram is needed.

If it means paving over front garden you may need planning permission.

The level difference may make it hard and you need to carefully consider drainage.

Thanks yes I just looked up the planning issue. I’m a bit disappointed that the people who came round to quote didn’t mention that! Permeable resin would be permitted but more expensive again.

I think you’re right about future purchasers - knowing what I know now, I would never buy a house without private access either!

It will make your life immeasurably easier, and it will increase the value of your house. Even if you don't get the full benefit of the £7k you will get some of it and while £7k is a big amount of money, it's also very little in the context of the value of a house.

I'd do it, assuming it's not going to put you on the breadline.

I agree with this.👍

Whenever we have had work done, increasing the value of the house or getting our money back at resale has not been something we have ever considered. For us, it is purely a case of doing what WE want and how it will affect how WE live in the house.
How it affects the value of saleability of the house is not even secondary concern (just to say, we have never done anything wacky or off the wall, everything has been well thought out and improves the layout & function of the house).

Does the £7k include the cost of requesting the council to drop the kerb / reinforce the pavement? It's not permitted to drive across the pavement otherwise (risk of damage to services, etc)

If you do it do you end up with access directly from the road and for a reasonable sized car , because if all you can get on the drive is a Mini sized car it’s probably not worth it .