Regrade driveway + widen garage

[alephnull]

Hi all, not sure which forum is best for this, but this is a problem that doesn't really impact non-supercars.

I'm looking at a house which is pretty much perfect, but would need the gradient from the road, over the pavement, to the driveway adjusted as it is likely to scrape my car. Has anyone tried to do this? I presume I need council permission. What were the costs?

Secondly, the garage is wide, but the doorway is 2.10m which is a little tight for a Ferrari 360. Has anyone had a garage door widened? Again, what sort of costs did you incur?

Is this a sub 15k job as I would imagine?

Cheers

[johnnyreggae]

210cm just needs care - 3 inches each side is more than enough - extra width depends on the current door - if its a classic up and over with a frame inside the opening it could be replaced by a roller mounted behind or in front of the opening for under five grand

[m3jappa]

Regrading it could be as simple as theres just a hump due to a poorly done fall which would be easily dealt with, it could also be due to the lie of the land around it all making it potentially much more expensive.

Have you got a picture of it?

[davek_964]

My garage entrance is 2,110mm at the entrance and my 360 went in there for over 5 years. In all that time, I think I managed to do it without having to fold the drivers mirror in about twice - but the rest of the time, folding the mirror in meant it went in OK. Mine isn't that much wider inside (2,400mm) - it would be much easier in a wider garage.

Not sure about your other point - it sounds like it's the actual pavement you want the height changed? I'd be amazed if the council would do that.

[Trev450]

Are you not able to approach the gradient over the pavement at an angle which is what I have to do with my R8. If you need to have any work done to this it is likely to be your biggest problem as will most certainly require planning permission from your local council.

[petjam]

Regarding widening it all depends on your property. I had my garage door widened a couple of years back, removed two bricks and added a new RSJ. Local builder charged me 2k.

I also have the problem with the road camber and the pavement height. I have tried to no avail to get the council to do something with me offering to pay. I get the same response that the pavement is owned by the council, and they are not prepared to change it.

Depends on the car if it scrapes, R8 didn’t, 600LT with lift didn’t, Perf with lift did but only on the scuff bar under the front bumper which amazingly is only a 150 replacement part.

I’m in the market for a 488 and it will need to have lift.

[andrew]

when we looked at new 430s years ago lined-up at the dealership, their ride heights on their fully adjustable suspension varied visibly...

[alephnull]

m3jappa said:

Regrading it could be as simple as theres just a hump due to a poorly done fall which would be easily dealt with, it could also be due to the lie of the land around it all making it potentially much more expensive.

Have you got a picture of it?

The other option is some sort of temporary wooden ramp, but this seems a bit ridiculous for an expensive house. The danger in this whole situation is that my wife likes the house...

[markiii]

so the lighter cobbled bit that abuts the road is your issue?

[alephnull]

markiii said:

so the lighter cobbled bit that abuts the road is your issue?

Correct. Just after the gutter, it slopes up a bit too steeply.

[m3jappa]

unfortunately thats going to be down to the council (or at least i can only assume it will be).

if you do that bit and get caught, which you may or may not then the council can order you to reinstate to their spec which will cost a small fortune.

Its a shame as that would be pretty easy to re lay and sort.

Worth speaking to the council as technically its just a drop kerb which needs re surfacing, but as im sure you know even speaking to these people isn't easy

[andrew]

alephnull said:

markiii said:

so the lighter cobbled bit that abuts the road is your issue?

Correct. Just after the gutter, it slopes up a bit too steeply.

are those cobbles set in cement or just sand ?

[Fezzamania]

It doesn't appear to be that much of a V dip for a 360 to ground out. Have you tried reversing out as the car will be higher than if you drive out using the brakes as thats when the front lip will dip and dig in as the weight is transferred forward onto the front.
Alternatively a good piece of scaffolding wood would nicely cover that gap and only need be put there as you go in and out

[Taffy66]

Why not threaten to sue the Council for causing damage to the front spoiler of your expensive Ferrari. At the end of the day its their responsibility to ensure that this cobbled bit is safe to transverse. Are you 100% its the council that owns this bit and not with the house. Have you checked the Title deeds of the house.?
If indeed they own it i assume you have a legal right of way to pass vehicles in and out of your property which gives you rights.

[Swift93]

Bridjit.com has rubber pieces that lay in the low part of the entrance to help raise the car to avoid scrapes.

[markiii]

We're it menus just have it fixed

[davek_964]

If you can go on at an angle, I think you'll be fine. I used to pull onto this driveway regularly in my 360 - at an angle it was fine. (The drain cover did catch me out a couple of times though, and that was an issue).



It's quite a bit steeper than it looks in that picture.

Edited by davek_964 on Thursday 29th July 07:47

[Fast Eddie]

andrew said:

are those cobbles set in cement or just sand ?

Pretty unusual for the Council to lay granite setts adjacent to a tarmac pavement, wouldn't you say?
Did the previous owner lay them maybe?

[Chrisgr31]

Fast Eddie said:

Pretty unusual for the Council to lay granite setts adjacent to a tarmac pavement, wouldn't you say?
Did the previous owner lay them maybe?

I am fairly sure I have seen this before, probably in London. I suspect that way back in history the pavement was surfaced with paving slabs, and the driveway entrances with granite sets. This would have been done as granite setts are stronger than paving slabs so wouldnt be damaged by traffic over them. At some point the paving slabs have been replaced with tarmac as they have moved or broken following roadworks, vehicles parking on the pavement etc. Tarmac was used as the replacement as its cheaper, easier to patch, less likely to create lips for a trip hazard etc. The granite setts were left though as they dont get damaged.

[Fast Eddie]

Chrisgr31 said:

I am fairly sure I have seen this before, probably in London. I suspect that way back in history the pavement was surfaced with paving slabs, and the driveway entrances with granite sets. This would have been done as granite setts are stronger than paving slabs so wouldnt be damaged by traffic over them. At some point the paving slabs have been replaced with tarmac as they have moved or broken following roadworks, vehicles parking on the pavement etc. Tarmac was used as the replacement as its cheaper, easier to patch, less likely to create lips for a trip hazard etc. The granite setts were left though as they dont get damaged.

OK, good shout