Planning a block paved driveway in Portstewart
Portstewart is a smaller town, and many of its homes have more frontage to work with than city houses, which leaves room for borders and planting.
Dropped kerbs in Northern Ireland go through DfI Roads, so we build that timing into the plan for new drives.
How much does a block paved driveway cost in Portstewart?
Guide price in Portstewart: £80–£135 per m² including VAT, which puts a 50 m² double drive at about £4,050–£6,650. These are Northern Ireland guide figures; the survey confirms the real price before you commit.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Concrete block driveway, new sub-base | £80–£135 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £9.50–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £19–£50 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £330–£950 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £950–£2,850 |
Guide figures for Northern Ireland, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What does a block paved driveway involve?
We build block drives for homeowners from scratch: digging out the old surface, setting edge restraints in concrete, building and compacting the sub-base, screeding the laying course, laying the pattern, cutting in the edges and vibrating the blocks into the sand. Every quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness, the edging, the falls and where the water goes.
- Blocks laid in your chosen pattern, with a contrasting border if wanted
- Edge restraints or kerbs bedded and haunched in concrete
- Removal of the old surface and soil to the agreed depth, with waste taken away
- Sharp-sand laying course screeded to falls
- Kiln-dried sand brushed in and the surface vibrated with a plate compactor
Before we price your block paved driveway
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
Do you need permission in Portstewart?
Portstewart is in Northern Ireland, so these rules apply:
In Northern Ireland, a hard surface between the front of the house and the road that covers or replaces more than 5 m² must be porous or permeable, or drain to a permeable area within the property, to be permitted development.
Hard surfaces within the grounds of a listed building need listed building consent. Planning is handled by your district council, so check with its planning office if you are unsure.
Dropped kerbs in Northern Ireland are approved by DfI Roads (the Department for Infrastructure), not the council; check planning separately with the council.
General guidance, not legal advice. Your survey confirms what applies to your home. See the planning guide.
What happens next
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.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Block paved driveways in Portstewart: questions
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.
How much does a block paved driveway cost in Portstewart?
Our guide for Portstewart is £80–£135 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² double drive is usually about £4,050–£6,650. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Portstewart?
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.
Is the survey in Portstewart free?
Yes, for new paving here: the survey and written quote are free with no obligation. Repairs and cleaning are usually priced from photos, or from a short visit where needed.
Block paved driveways near Portstewart
Nearby towns we cover for block paved driveways, and block paved driveways across County Londonderry:
- Block paved driveways in Portrush
- Block paved driveways in Coleraine
- Block paved driveways in Limavady
- Block paved driveways in Ballymoney
