What to know before a replacement block drive in Portadown
Portadown is a sizeable town with a mix of semis, terraces and newer estates, and many drives here were first laid decades ago.
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 Portadown?
Most replacement block drive quotes in Northern Ireland fall within £90–£170 per m² including VAT. A 45 m² replacement drive would usually be about £4,050–£7,700, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| 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?
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.
- Levels set below the damp-proof course with falls away from the house
- Drainage added where the old drive sent water to the house or road
- Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry
- New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
- Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
Before we price your replacement block drive
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
Planning and kerb rules in Portadown
Portadown 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.
How we work
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Replace an old drive in Portadown: questions
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Portadown?
Our guide for Portadown 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.
Do I need planning permission for a replacement block drive in Portadown?
In Northern Ireland, front paving over 5 m² must be porous or drain within your boundary to be permitted development. Ask us on the survey if you are unsure.
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.
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 Portadown
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across County Armagh:
