Just moved into a new build? Here's what to check.
Worcestershire's new build estates have been expanding steadily across Worcester (Warndon Villages, Brockhill, Tolladine extensions), Malvern (the Pickersleigh and Newland fringe developments), Droitwich (Yew Tree Hill and the Witton expansion), Pershore (the Riverside development) and Upton. New build home buyers often assume the dropped kerb comes with the property – sometimes that's true and sometimes it isn't. The first thing to check, before you do anything else, is the height of the kerb at your gateway.
How to tell if your developer dropped the kerb
Walk to your gateway and look at the kerb where the footway meets your driveway:
• Dropped kerb already in place – the kerb is flush with the road or stands no more than 25mm proud. You're sorted. The developer paid for it.
• Standard upstand kerb – the kerb stands 100mm+ above the road, the same height as the kerb on either side. The developer didn't drop it – you need to.
• Partial drop – sometimes the kerb is lowered but not properly faced with transitional splay kerbs. Workable but messy. We can finish the job properly.
If you have a standard upstand at your gateway, driving over it is technically illegal under the Highways Act – and more practically, it knocks chunks off your tyres, alloys and exhaust. The kerb needs dropping.
Wait for road adoption first
Until the development road is formally adopted by the local authority, the road is the developer's responsibility and you would need their permission to alter anything on it. Most Worcestershire developments are adopted 12 to 24 months after first occupation – sometimes longer. Once adopted, the road is part of the public highway and normal rules apply.
If you're not sure whether your road has been adopted, your solicitor's completion paperwork will say, or you can ask the Highways department at Worcestershire County Council. We're happy to advise on this at the site visit.
How much does it cost on a new build?
New build estate jobs are typically the cleanest and most predictable kerb drops we do because:
• The existing kerb units are modern precast concrete – they lift in one piece
• The footway is in good condition – minimal repair work to surrounding tarmac
• Frontages are regular, geometry is simple
• No buried services in unexpected places (utilities are on as-built drawings)
• No traffic management headaches – estate streets are quiet
Most new build jobs come in at the from-price. Wider drops, twin access points (rare on new build plots) and premium kerb finishes are priced separately.
What about the driveway behind the kerb?
Many new build plots come with a basic block paved or tarmac driveway already in place. If you want to upgrade, popular choices are resin bound for a modern seamless look, block paving for traditional kerb appeal, or tarmac for value. See our new driveways guide for the full comparison, or our dropped kerbs hub for other property types.
Get a Quote
Call Now
Step 1
Call 01905 412 949. Tell us your estate and we'll check road adoption status.
Step 2
We visit, measure the upstand kerb, photograph the gateway and email a written quote within 24 hours.
Step 3
Install in a few hours on site – finished the same day. Matching modern kerb units, clean transition to estate kerb line.
Check the kerb at your gateway. If it's flush with the road, yes. If it stands 100mm+ above the road like neighbouring kerbs, no – it's a standard upstand and needs dropping.
Once the development road is adopted by the local authority. Most Worcestershire estates are adopted 12 to 24 months after first occupation.
New build jobs are typically the simplest and most sit comfortably within standard residential scope. Every quote is written and itemised.
Yes – we source matching modern dropped and splay kerb units for a seamless visual integration.
Yes – we sometimes do multiple new build kerb drops on the same street in one mobilisation. Shared traffic management reduces the per-house cost. Talk to your neighbours.
Then a dropped kerb cannot be installed – you need somewhere for the car to go behind the footway. Some affordable housing units have no parking allocation and a kerb drop isn't possible.
Adoption Status Check
Matching Kerb Units
Group DiscountCall 01905 412 949 now or fill in the form below for a free, no obligation quote. Our team of friendly landscaping experts will call you back.
Get in touch
Cathedral Landscapes Worcestershire
Worcester, Malvern, Droitwich, Upton and beyond.
t: 01905 412 949
e: info@cathedral-landscapes.co.uk
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri: 9:00am - 5:30pm
Sat: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Sun: Closed
