If you’re a homeowner with a driveway, the chances are you have a dropped curb outside your home. The purpose of these curbs is to provide easy access to a property for vehicles, ensuring they do not have to drive up steep curbs that may potentially damage tires or wheels.
If for whatever reason your property does not have a dropped curb outside, you may want to consider lowering the existing one. With this in mind, understanding the associated costs and the process involved is important.
Dropped curbs are a common modification, especially for homeowners who require driveway access. We understand the importance of dropped curbs and have put together this handy guide outlining the key aspects of them – including the cost of lowering a curb.
Read on to find out more…
What Is A Dropped Curb?
A dropped curb, also known as a lowered curb, is a section of pavement where the curb has been lowered to allow vehicles to safely and easily cross from the road onto a driveway or parking space. They’re common outside most domestic properties and are vital for homeowners who want to improve access to their property and avoid having to park on the street itself.
In some instances, a property may not have a dropped curb outside. There are several reasons why this might be the case, but you can get one installed fairly simply. Installing a dropped curb involves lowering a section of the curb and adjusting the pavement to ensure vehicles can smoothly transition from road to driveway.
However, this cannot be done by the homeowner and requires professional support in order to comply with local regulations and to ensure safety for drivers and pedestrians.
What Are The Benefits Of A Dropped Curb?
Having a dropped curb outside your home offers a whole host of benefits. Let’s take a look at some of the most common advantages:
Improved Access To Your Property
Undoubtedly, the biggest benefit of a dropped curb is that it provides convenient and safe access to your property for your vehicle. It removes the need to park out on the street, which increases the risk of damage to your car as well as reduces the likelihood of potential disputes with neighbors over parking.
Increased Property Value
Having a dropped curb and not having to park out on the street can also significantly increase the value of your home. Many people view having a driveway as a desirable feature of a property, especially in urban or densely packed areas where on-street parking is more limited.
Enhanced Safety
With a dropped curb, you can avoid having to reverse onto a busy road or navigate tricky parking situations. As well as this, it also reduces the chances of accidents as pedestrians and cyclists are less likely to encounter sudden vehicle movements or move in front of the vehicle as it’s attempting to park.
Compliance With Legal Regulations
In many areas, it is illegal to drive over unaltered pavements or up curbs to access your property. This means that even if you have a driveway, accessing it may technically be forbidden. Installing a dropped curb ensures you are complying with all the relevant local regulations and will avoid disputes, fines, or any legal complications.
Cost Of Lowering A Curb
The cost of lowering a curb can vary significantly and depends on a variety of factors. However, on average, the installation of a dropped curb will cost approximately $2,300. This price will include materials, labor, and any required permits or municipal fees.
Let’s look at a breakdown of the costs:
Hourly labor rates: For this kind of job, contractors rarely charge by the hour, but if they do it’ll typically be around $40. Usually, though, they’ll charge by the day, and this is about $400 on average. Materials: The cost of materials, including concrete, asphalt, and additional finishing materials, is usually included in the contractor’s quote. Permit fees: Municipalities almost always charge for a permit if a dropped curb is being installed. You can apply for these online, and while the fee varies from location to location, it’s normally between $70 and $260.
Furthermore, if any underground utilities need to be adjusted or relocated during the process, this will add to the total cost. Always consult with your contractor or local authorities to get a full understanding of the total scope of work that will be required.
Cost Of Widening An Existing Curb
In some cases, you may already have a dropped curb outside the property, but it may need widening in order to improve accessibility. This is usually the case if your driveway has been extended to accommodate another car and the dropped curb no longer covers the entire width of the space.
In general, widening a curb tends to be less expensive than installing a brand new one. While costs vary, on average, this type of project will cost around $1,400.
As mentioned above, there are a few reasons why you may need to widen a curb, including:
Vehicle size: If you own larger vehicles like vans, you may require a bigger access point to avoid damaging the vehicle or pavement when parking. Multiple vehicles: If you have more than one vehicle or plan to share the driveway, widening the curb can provide additional space for entry and exit.
Let’s take a look at the breakdown of costs for widening an existing dropped curb:
Hourly rate: Similar to lowering a curb, not many contractors provide an hourly rate for this type of job. If they do, it tends to be between $25 and $40. Materials: The cost of materials is generally lower for widening compared to new installations. This is because fewer adjustments to pavements and curbs are needed. Permit fees: You may still need to pay a permit fee for widening a curb. You should check with your local municipality to find out their specific policy.
Factors That Impact The Cost Of A Dropped Curb
There are several factors that can influence the overall cost of installing or widening dropped curbs. These include:
Length Of The Dropped Curb
The longer the curb needs to be lowered, the higher the cost is likely to be. Most local authorities require dropped curbs to cover the entire width of the driveway plus an additional buffer zone. So, if you have a particularly long driveway, it’ll likely cost more than if you have a shorter one.
Ground Conditions
If the ground beneath the pavement is unstable or requires significant preparation, this can increase labor and material costs. For instance, poor soil conditions or uneven terrain may require additional work.
Utility Adjustments
If gas, water, or electrical utilities happen to be located beneath the pavement, they may need to be relocated or adjusted. This can add significant costs to the project depending on the complexity of work that is required.
Location
The area where you live can also impact costs. This is because some labor, materials, and permit costs can vary significantly depending on the region. For example, urban areas tend to have higher municipal rates and fees than rural locations.
How To Apply For A Dropped Curb
If you need a dropped curb outside your property, you will need to apply to your local municipality. The process may vary slightly depending on where you are based, but below we’ve put together a general overview of the application process:
Contact Your Local Municipality
The first step is contacting your local municipality to discuss your plans and determine what permissions you need. Many municipalities provide detailed guidelines and application forms on their websites, so this should be your first port of call.
Submit An Application
Complete and submit the application form, which typically requires details about your property and the proposed curb location along with any plans or drawings. A fee will normally be included with your application, and you will need to pay this at the same time.
Await Approval
Once your application is submitted, the municipality will take some time to review it to ensure compliance with local regulations.
Hire Approved Contractors
If your application is approved, it’s time to hire contractors. You can only use contractors that have been approved by your local municipality.
Schedule Inspections
If your municipality requires an inspection, it tends to happen after the work has been completed to check that it meets their requirements.