Planning a block paved driveway in North Watford
Homes in North Watford include plenty of semis and detached houses with room for a drive, plus older terraces where parking is tighter.
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 North Watford?
Guide price in North Watford: £90–£145 per m² including VAT, which puts a 50 m² double drive at about £4,450–£7,350. These are East of England guide figures; the survey confirms the real price before you commit.
| 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 you get with our block paved driveways service
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.
- Edge restraints or kerbs bedded and haunched in concrete
- Survey, measurements and a written, itemised quote
- Cuts at edges, around covers and against the house
- Kiln-dried sand brushed in and the surface vibrated with a plate compactor
- Sharp-sand laying course screeded to falls
What we check on a North Watford survey
- Trees and roots near the drive
- The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
Rules for front drives in North Watford
North Watford 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.
How it works
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
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Block paved driveways in North Watford: questions
Can you match the blocks to my house in North Watford?
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.
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.
Do I need planning permission for a block paved driveway in North Watford?
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.
How much does a block paved driveway cost in North Watford?
Our guide for North Watford is £90–£145 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² double drive is usually about £4,450–£7,350. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Block paved driveways near North Watford
Nearby towns we cover for block paved driveways, and block paved driveways across Hertfordshire:
- Block paved driveways in Watford
- Block paved driveways in Bushey
- Block paved driveways in Rickmansworth
- Block paved driveways in Borehamwood
- Block paved driveways in St Albans
- Block paved driveways in Hemel Hempstead
