What to know before a block paved driveway in Hemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead has a big mix of housing, from older terraces near the centre to newer estates further out, so no two drives here start from the same ground.
Clay soils are common in parts of the East of England, so drainage and sub-base depth get extra attention.
How much does a block paved driveway cost in Hemel Hempstead?
In the East of England, a block paved driveway usually costs £90–£145 per m² including VAT. For a 50 m² double drive, that is roughly £4,450–£7,350. Your exact price depends on what the survey or your photos show, and is fixed in writing before anything is booked.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Concrete block driveway, new sub-base | £90–£145 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £11–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£55 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £370–£1,050 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,050–£3,150 |
Guide figures for the East of England, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What does a block paved driveway involve?
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.
- Crushed-stone sub-base laid in layers and compacted
- Sharp-sand laying course screeded to falls
- 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
- Edge restraints or kerbs bedded and haunched in concrete
What the survey covers
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
Rules for front drives in Hemel Hempstead
Hemel Hempstead 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
Send the basics
Postcode, what you need and a rough size. Photos help.
Survey
We measure, check levels, ground and drainage, and talk through blocks and patterns.
Written quote
An itemised quote with the specification, the price and the start date.
The work
Our paving team builds it to the agreed specification and leaves the site swept.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Block paved driveways in Hemel Hempstead: 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 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.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Hemel Hempstead?
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.
Do I need planning permission for a block paved driveway in Hemel Hempstead?
In England, a front drive over 5 m² needs planning permission unless it is permeable or drains to a lawn or border within your boundary. Ask us on the survey if you are unsure.
Block paved driveways near Hemel Hempstead
Nearby towns we cover for block paved driveways, and block paved driveways across Hertfordshire:
- Block paved driveways in Berkhamsted
- Block paved driveways in St Albans
- Block paved driveways in North Watford
- Block paved driveways in Harpenden
- Block paved driveways in Watford
- Block paved driveways in Rickmansworth
