What to know before a replacement block drive in Larne
In and around Larne, village-style frontages sit alongside newer cul-de-sacs, so the right block often depends on the age of the house.
Dropped kerbs in Northern Ireland go through DfI Roads, so we build that timing into the plan for new drives.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Larne?
Expect replacement block drives in Larne to come in at around £90–£170 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 45 m² replacement drive usually comes to between £4,050 and £7,700.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Replace tarmac or concrete with block (incl. break-out) | £90–£170 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £9.50–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £19–£50 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £330–£950 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £950–£2,850 |
Guide figures for Northern Ireland, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What you get with our replace an old drive service
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.
- 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
- 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
What we check on a Larne survey
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
- Trees and roots near the drive
Do you need permission in Larne?
Larne is in Northern Ireland, so these rules apply:
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.
General guidance, not legal advice. Your survey confirms what applies to your home. See the planning guide.
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.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Replace an old drive in Larne: questions
Do you cover Carrickfergus, Ballyclare and Newtownabbey?
Yes. We cover Larne and the places around it, including Carrickfergus, Ballyclare and Newtownabbey, and the rest of County Antrim.
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 long does a replacement block drive take to build?
Most homes take between three and seven working days, depending on size, the dig and the drainage. Your quote gives the expected duration.
Is the survey in Larne 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.
Replace an old drive near Larne
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across County Antrim:
- Replace an old drive in Carrickfergus
- Replace an old drive in Ballyclare
- Replace an old drive in Newtownabbey
- Replace an old drive in Belfast
- Replace an old drive in Antrim
- Replace an old drive in Ballymena
