Replace a Tarmac or Concrete Drive with Block Paving

What does a replacement block drive involve?

Replacing an old drive with block paving means breaking out the existing tarmac, concrete or gravel, checking what is underneath, and then building a block drive on a sound base. Many older tarmac and concrete drives have cracked, sunk or broken up, which is why this is such a common way into block paving.

Sometimes the old base can be kept: a thick, sound concrete or well-compacted hardcore layer may only need trimming and topping up. Often it cannot, because it was too thin, has sunk or sits too high against the house. The survey checks levels against the damp-proof course and the existing base before the quote is written, so the price reflects the real dig.

What is included?

Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry
Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
Levels set below the damp-proof course with falls away from the house
New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
Drainage added where the old drive sent water to the house or road

Which options are there?

Full break-out

Everything removed down to formation level and rebuilt. The default for failed drives.

Re-use sound base

Where trial holes show a thick, sound base, it is trimmed, regulated and re-used.

Over-lay with raised edges

Rarely suitable, because block paving needs depth; only where levels against the house allow.

How much does a replacement block drive cost?

UK guide price£95–£180 per m² inc VATIncluding VAT at 20%

For a 45 m² replacement drive in the Midlands, that typically comes to £4,300–£8,100. London and the South East cost more, the North East, Yorkshire and Wales a little less. Smaller jobs cost more per square metre because set-up and waste costs do not shrink with the area.

Region	Guide price inc VAT
London	£115–£215 per m²
South East	£105–£195 per m²
East of England	£100–£190 per m²
South West	£95–£180 per m²
West Midlands	£95–£180 per m²
East Midlands	£95–£180 per m²
North West	£95–£180 per m²
Yorkshire and the Humber	£85–£160 per m²
North East	£85–£160 per m²
Wales	£90–£165 per m²
Scotland	£95–£180 per m²
Northern Ireland	£90–£170 per m²

Guide figures checked 9 November 2026. Your written quote after the survey is the price you pay. See the full price list or try the guide price tool.

Is a replacement block drive right for you?

Good for

Cracked, potholed or sunken tarmac
Old concrete drives with failed joints
Loose gravel drives you are tired of raking

Think twice if

Drives where levels mean the new surface would sit within 150 mm of the damp-proof course without lowering

How does it work?

Tell us about the job
Use the form, the quote tool, WhatsApp or a call.
We take a look
A survey visit, or photos for smaller repair and cleaning jobs.
Price in writing
Every line itemised, including the dig, edging and drainage.
Booked and built
Agreed start date, then the work, the final clean-down and the joint top-up.

Do you need permission?

Front-garden paving and dropped kerbs follow different rules in each part of the UK:

Front drive rules in England

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.

Front drive rules in Wales

In Wales, any new or replacement hard surface at the front of a house should be permeable or drain to a permeable area within the property to avoid needing planning permission. Unlike England, there is no 5 m² allowance for new paving; only repairs of up to 5 m² of existing surface are exempt.

Since January 2019, construction work covering 100 m² or more with drainage implications, including drives and patios, needs approval from the local SuDS Approving Body (SAB) before work starts, even where planning permission is not needed.

A dropped kerb needs your council's approval as highway authority, and a new access onto a classified road needs planning permission.

Front drive rules in Scotland

In Scotland, a hard surface between the house and the road is permitted development only if it is porous or drains to a permeable area within the property. There is no 5 m² threshold: the rule applies whatever the size.

Hard surfaces are not permitted development in a conservation area or within the grounds of a listed building, so planning permission is needed there.

A dropped kerb needs consent from your council as roads authority under section 56 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, and planning permission may also be needed depending on the road.

Front drive rules in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, a hard surface between the front of the house and the road that covers or replaces more than 5 m² must be porous or permeable, or drain to a permeable area within the property, to be permitted development.

Hard surfaces within the grounds of a listed building need listed building consent. Planning is handled by your district council, so check with its planning office if you are unsure.

Dropped kerbs in Northern Ireland are approved by DfI Roads (the Department for Infrastructure), not the council; check planning separately with the council.

Questions about replace an old drive

Can block paving go over tarmac?

Not usually. Blocks need a laying course and a stable, well-drained sub-base; sound tarmac can sometimes act as part of the base, but it must be cut back at the edges and drained, which is decided on the survey.

How much does it cost to remove an old drive?

Break-out and waste removal typically adds to the cost per square metre, more for thick reinforced concrete. Your quote lists it as a separate line so you can see it.

Will the new drive be higher than the old one?

It should not be higher than it needs to be. The finished surface must sit at least 150 mm below the damp-proof course, so sometimes the drive is lowered rather than raised.

How long does a replacement drive take?

Usually a day or two more than a new drive on soft ground, because of the break-out and waste removal.

Where do you offer replacement block drives?

We quote replacement block drives across the UK. Choose your area for local prices and towns.

Replacing tarmac or concrete with block paving

What does a replacement block drive involve?

What is included?