What to know before a replacement block drive in Newquay
Around Newquay, plots are often larger and drives longer, so edging, falls and the route the water takes need planning.
The South West is wetter than the east of England, so falls and drainage are planned before the pattern is chosen.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Newquay?
In the South West, 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 the South West, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What is included?
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.
- Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry
- 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
Before we price your replacement block drive
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
Planning and kerb rules in Newquay
Newquay 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
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.
How we work
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
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.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Replace an old drive in Newquay: questions
Can you match the blocks to my house in Newquay?
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 I need planning permission for a replacement block drive in Newquay?
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.
What happens to my old drive?
It is broken out and taken away by skip or grab lorry, listed as its own line on your quote.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Newquay?
Our guide for Newquay 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.
Replace an old drive near Newquay
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across Cornwall:
- Replace an old drive in Truro
- Replace an old drive in St Austell
- Replace an old drive in Redruth
- Replace an old drive in Camborne
- Replace an old drive in Falmouth
