How much does a block paved driveway cost in Cornwall?
Expect block paved driveways in Cornwall to come in at around £85–£140 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 50 m² double drive usually comes to between £4,250 and £7,000.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Concrete block driveway, new sub-base | £85–£140 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £10–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£50 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £350–£1,000 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,000–£3,000 |
Guide figures for the South West, checked 9 November 2026.
Towns we cover in Cornwall
Choose a town for local prices and details for block paved driveways:
What is included?
A block paved driveway is a surface of small concrete or clay blocks laid tightly on a bed of sharp sand, held in by a fixed edge and locked together with kiln-dried jointing sand. Laid on a properly dug and compacted sub-base, it carries cars for decades, and a single damaged block can be lifted and replaced without breaking the surface.
The South West is wetter than the east of England, so falls and drainage are planned before the pattern is chosen.
- Edge restraints or kerbs bedded and haunched in concrete
- Survey, measurements and a written, itemised quote
- Removal of the old surface and soil to the agreed depth, with waste taken away
- Blocks laid in your chosen pattern, with a contrasting border if wanted
- Kiln-dried sand brushed in and the surface vibrated with a plate compactor
What the survey covers
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Trees and roots near the drive
Rules for front drives in Cornwall
In England, paving in front of the house that covers more than 5 m² needs planning permission unless it is permeable or drains to a lawn, border or soakaway inside your boundary. Permeable block paving, or standard blocks laid to fall onto a planted strip, avoid the need for permission in most cases.
Flats and maisonettes, listed buildings, and homes covered by an Article 4 direction can have tighter rules, and conservation areas, National Parks and National Landscapes restrict some permitted development.
A dropped kerb needs your local highway authority's approval (usually the county, unitary, metropolitan or London borough council), and a new access onto an A, B or C classified road also needs planning permission.
General guidance, not legal advice. Your survey confirms what applies to your home. See the planning guide.
How it works
Quick details
Your postcode and the job. It takes a minute.
On-site check
Measurements, levels against the damp-proof course, ground and drainage.
Itemised quote
Fixed once the specification is agreed, with no vague extras.
Laid and finished
Compacted, jointed and handed back clean.
Block paved driveways in Cornwall: questions
How much does a block paved driveway cost in Cornwall?
Our guide for Cornwall is £85–£140 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² double drive is usually about £4,250–£7,000. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Do you cover Redruth, Falmouth and St Austell?
Yes. We cover all of Cornwall, including Redruth, Falmouth and St Austell.
What happens to my old drive?
It is broken out and taken away by skip or grab lorry, listed as its own line on your quote.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Cornwall?
We bring samples to the survey and suggest blocks and borders that suit the age and brick of the house. Final colour is your choice.
