County Durham · Replace an old drive

Replacing tarmac or concrete with block paving in Peterlee

Planning a replacement block drive in Peterlee? Start with a free survey: we check levels against the damp-proof course, the ground, the drainage and the kerb before pricing anything.

  • Postcodes SR8, TS28, TS27
  • £85–£160 per m² inc VAT
  • Free survey for new paving
Driveway half old cracked tarmac and half new brindle herringbone block paving

What to know before a replacement block drive in Peterlee

Peterlee is a smaller town, and many of its homes have more frontage to work with than city houses, which leaves room for borders and planting.

Wind-driven rain on the North East coast makes falls and a well-filled joint more important.

How much does a replacement block drive cost in Peterlee?

Guide price in Peterlee£85–£160 per m²Including VAT at 20%

Most replacement block drive quotes in the North East fall within £85–£160 per m² including VAT. A 45 m² replacement drive would usually be about £3,850–£7,300, with any extras listed separately on your quote.

ItemGuide price inc VAT
Replace tarmac or concrete with block (incl. break-out)£85–£160 per m²
Breaking out an old surface£9–£35 per m²
Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched£18–£45 per metre
Typical channel drain run£320–£900
Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction£900–£2,700

Guide figures for the North East, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.

What you get with our replace an old drive service

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.

  • Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
  • Levels set below the damp-proof course with falls away from the house
  • Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry
  • New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
  • Drainage added where the old drive sent water to the house or road

Before we price your replacement block drive

  • Whether front-garden planning rules apply
  • Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
  • Steps, thresholds and door heights
  • The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
  • Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run

Rules for front drives in Peterlee

Peterlee 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.

From enquiry to finished paving

  1. Tell us about the job

    Use the form, the quote tool, WhatsApp or a call.

  2. We take a look

    A survey visit, or photos for smaller repair and cleaning jobs.

  3. Price in writing

    Every line itemised, including the dig, edging and drainage.

  4. Booked and built

    Agreed start date, then the work, the final clean-down and the joint top-up.

How we work

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.

Repair before replace

If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.

Water planned first

Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.

Itemised quotes

Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.

Replace an old drive in Peterlee: 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.

Is the survey in Peterlee 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.

Do I need planning permission for a replacement block drive in Peterlee?

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.

How much does a replacement block drive cost in Peterlee?

Our guide for Peterlee is £85–£160 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² replacement drive is usually about £3,850–£7,300. Your fixed price follows the survey.

Replace an old drive near Peterlee

Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across County Durham:

Other block paving services in Peterlee

Or see all block paving services in Peterlee.

Next step

Get a guide price in two minutes

Tell us what you have in mind for Peterlee, and we will put a written price together.

Hands laying charcoal paving blocks in herringbone on a sand bed
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