How much does a block paved path cost in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
Most block paved path quotes in Scotland fall within £90–£160 per m² including VAT. A 12 m² path would usually be about £1,250–£2,200, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Block paved path or side passage | £90–£160 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £10–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£50 per metre |
| Step with block or brick riser and paved tread | £180–£350 per step |
| Typical channel drain run | £350–£1,000 |
Guide figures for Scotland, checked 9 November 2026.
Towns we cover in Edinburgh and the Lothians
We quote paths in every town across Edinburgh and the Lothians, including:
- Livingston
- Musselburgh
- Bathgate
- Bonnyrigg
- Penicuik
- Broxburn
- Linlithgow
- Armadale
- Dalkeith
- Tranent
- Whitburn
- Dunbar
- Prestonpans
- Haddington
What is included?
We set edging both sides in concrete, keep steps and changes of level safe and even, and make sure side passages fall away from the house walls and air bricks. Curves are laid with the blocks cut to follow the line rather than leaving ragged edges.
In Scotland, front paving must be porous or drain within the property whatever its size, so drainage is part of every design.
- Falls away from walls and to gullies
- Steps formed where levels change
- Edging both sides, bedded and haunched
- Dig-out and compacted base
- Blocks, cuts and jointing sand
What the survey covers
- Levels against the damp-proof course and door thresholds
- Where rain will go: falls away from the house, onto lawn or borders, or into a channel
- Access for a mini-digger and how waste leaves the garden
- Ground conditions and how deep the dig must be
- Block range, colour, pattern and border to suit the house
Do you need permission for a block paved path in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
A patio or path behind the house does not usually need planning permission. Raised patios, listed buildings and flats can be different, so we check on the survey.
Paving in front of the house follows the front-garden rules: in Scotland, front paving must be porous or drain within your boundary at any size, and permitted development does not apply in conservation areas.
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.
Paths in Edinburgh and the Lothians: questions
Do you cover Livingston, Musselburgh and Bathgate?
Yes. We cover all of Edinburgh and the Lothians, including Livingston, Musselburgh and Bathgate.
Is the survey in Edinburgh and the Lothians 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.
How long does a block paved path take?
Most patios and paths take two to five working days, depending on the size, any steps and the dig. Your quote gives the expected duration.
Can the paving be level with the back door?
Paving normally sits at least 150 mm below the damp-proof course. A level step-out needs a drainage channel against the house and careful detailing, which we agree on the survey.
