Planning a block paved driveway in Smethwick
In Smethwick, many front gardens have already been paved once, so new paving often starts with breaking out the old surface.
Clay ground is widespread in the West Midlands, so the sub-base depth and drainage are checked on every survey.
How much does a block paved driveway cost in Smethwick?
Guide price in Smethwick: £85–£140 per m² including VAT, which puts a 50 m² double drive at about £4,250–£7,000. These are West Midlands guide figures; the survey confirms the real price before you commit.
| 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 West Midlands, 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.
- Kiln-dried sand brushed in and the surface vibrated with a plate compactor
- Removal of the old surface and soil to the agreed depth, with waste taken away
- Sharp-sand laying course screeded to falls
- Crushed-stone sub-base laid in layers and compacted
- Survey, measurements and a written, itemised quote
Before we price your block paved driveway
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Trees and roots near the drive
Rules for front drives in Smethwick
Smethwick 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.
From enquiry to finished paving
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
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.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
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.
Block paved driveways in Smethwick: questions
How much does a block paved driveway cost in Smethwick?
Our guide for Smethwick 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.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Smethwick?
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 you cover West Bromwich, Birmingham and Aston?
Yes. We cover Smethwick and the places around it, including West Bromwich, Birmingham and Aston, and the rest of the West Midlands.
Is the survey in Smethwick 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 Smethwick
Nearby towns we cover for block paved driveways, and block paved driveways across West Midlands:
- Block paved driveways in West Bromwich
- Block paved driveways in Birmingham
- Block paved driveways in Aston
- Block paved driveways in Bartley Green
- Block paved driveways in Halesowen
- Block paved driveways in Wednesbury
