What to know before a block paved driveway in Oldham
Across Oldham, front gardens range from narrow terrace plots to broad modern drives, and the best block, pattern and drainage choice changes with them.
The North West is one of the wetter parts of England, so falls, channel drains and permeable options matter more than usual.
How much does a block paved driveway cost in Oldham?
Most block paved driveway quotes in the North West fall within £85–£140 per m² including VAT. A 50 m² double drive would usually be about £4,250–£7,000, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| 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 North West, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What is included?
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.
- Survey, measurements and a written, itemised quote
- Crushed-stone sub-base laid in layers and compacted
- Sharp-sand laying course screeded to falls
- Blocks laid in your chosen pattern, with a contrasting border if wanted
- Removal of the old surface and soil to the agreed depth, with waste taken away
What the survey covers
- The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
Rules for front drives in Oldham
Oldham is in England, so these rules apply:
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.
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.
How we work
One point of contact
You deal with one team from survey to sign-off, with work carried out by paving teams working under S&K.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Block paved driveways in Oldham: questions
Is the survey in Oldham 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.
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.
Do you cover Royton, Failsworth and Middleton?
Yes. We cover Oldham and the places around it, including Royton, Failsworth and Middleton, and the rest of Greater Manchester.
How long does a block paved driveway take to build?
Most homes take between three and seven working days, depending on size, the dig and the drainage. Your quote gives the expected duration.
Block paved driveways near Oldham
Nearby towns we cover for block paved driveways, and block paved driveways across Greater Manchester:
- Block paved driveways in Royton
- Block paved driveways in Failsworth
- Block paved driveways in Middleton
- Block paved driveways in Ashton-under-Lyne
- Block paved driveways in Droylsden
- Block paved driveways in Stalybridge
