What to know before a replacement block drive in Newry
Newry is a sizeable town with a mix of semis, terraces and newer estates, and many drives here were first laid decades ago.
Wet winters in Northern Ireland make falls, edge restraints and full joints especially important.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Newry?
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.
- 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
What we check on a Newry survey
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
Do you need permission in Newry?
Newry 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.
What happens next
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
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
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.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Replace an old drive in Newry: questions
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Newry?
Our guide for Newry 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.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Newry?
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.
Is the survey in Newry 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.
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.
Replace an old drive near Newry
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across County Down:
- Replace an old drive in Warrenpoint
- Replace an old drive in Banbridge
- Replace an old drive in Newcastle
