How much does a replacement block drive cost in Argyll and Bute?
In Scotland, a replacement block drive usually costs £95–£180 per m² including VAT. For a 45 m² replacement drive, that is roughly £4,300–£8,100. 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 |
|---|---|
| Replace tarmac or concrete with block (incl. break-out) | £95–£180 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 Scotland, checked 9 November 2026.
Towns we cover in Argyll and Bute
Choose a town for local prices and details for replace an old drive:
What is included?
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.
Frost and heavy rain test paving in Scotland, so a well-drained sub-base and full joints matter as much as the blocks.
- Drainage added where the old drive sent water to the house or road
- Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
- New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
- Levels set below the damp-proof course with falls away from the house
- Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry
What the survey covers
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Trees and roots near the drive
Rules for front drives in Argyll and Bute
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.
General guidance, not legal advice. Your survey confirms what applies to your home. See the planning guide.
How it works
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.
Replace an old drive in Argyll and Bute: questions
Do I need planning permission for a replacement block drive in Argyll and Bute?
In Scotland, front paving must be porous or drain within your boundary at any size, and permitted development does not apply in conservation areas. Ask us on the survey if you are unsure.
Do you cover Helensburgh, Dunoon and Oban?
Yes. We cover all of Argyll and Bute, including Helensburgh, Dunoon and Oban.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Argyll and Bute?
Our guide for Argyll and Bute is £95–£180 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² replacement drive is usually about £4,300–£8,100. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Is the survey in Argyll and Bute free?
In Argyll and Bute we cover jobs by arrangement. We will confirm before any visit whether a charge applies, and many jobs can be priced from photos first.
