Planning a replacement block drive in Newtownabbey
Homes in Newtownabbey include plenty of semis and detached houses with room for a drive, plus older terraces where parking is tighter.
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 Newtownabbey?
Expect replacement block drives in Newtownabbey 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 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.
- Drainage added where the old drive sent water to the house or road
- Levels set below the damp-proof course with falls away from the house
- New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
- Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
- Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry
What the survey covers
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
Planning and kerb rules in Newtownabbey
Newtownabbey 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
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.
What you can expect from us
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Replace an old drive in Newtownabbey: questions
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.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Newtownabbey?
Our guide for Newtownabbey is £90–£170 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² replacement drive is usually about £4,050–£7,700. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Is the survey in Newtownabbey 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.
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.
Replace an old drive near Newtownabbey
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across County Antrim:
- Replace an old drive in Belfast
- Replace an old drive in Carrickfergus
- Replace an old drive in Castlereagh
- Replace an old drive in Ballyclare
- Replace an old drive in Lisburn
- Replace an old drive in Antrim
