What to know before a replacement block drive in Forfar
In and around Forfar, village-style frontages sit alongside newer cul-de-sacs, so the right block often depends on the age of the house.
Frost and heavy rain test paving in Scotland, so a well-drained sub-base and full joints matter as much as the blocks.
In Scotland block paving is often called monoblock; it is the same thing, and the same rules for the base, edging and drainage apply.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Forfar?
Most replacement block drive quotes in Scotland fall within £95–£180 per m² including VAT. A 45 m² replacement drive would usually be about £4,300–£8,100, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Replace tarmac or concrete with block (incl. break-out) | £95–£180 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £10–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£50 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £350–£1,000 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,000–£3,000 |
Guide figures for Scotland, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What does a replacement block drive involve?
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
- New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
- 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
- Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry
Before we price your replacement block drive
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
Do you need permission in Forfar?
Forfar is in Scotland, so these rules apply:
In Scotland, a hard surface between the house and the road is permitted development only if it is porous or drains to a permeable area within the property. There is no 5 m² threshold: the rule applies whatever the size.
Hard surfaces are not permitted development in a conservation area or within the grounds of a listed building, so planning permission is needed there.
A dropped kerb needs consent from your council as roads authority under section 56 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, and planning permission may also be needed depending on the road.
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.
How we work
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.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
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 Forfar: questions
Do I need planning permission for a replacement block drive in Forfar?
In Scotland, front paving must be porous or drain within your boundary at any size, and permitted development does not apply in conservation areas. Ask us on the survey if you are unsure.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Forfar?
Our guide for Forfar is £95–£180 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² replacement drive is usually about £4,300–£8,100. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Forfar?
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.
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 Forfar
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across Dundee and Angus:
- Replace an old drive in Monifieth
- Replace an old drive in Carnoustie
- Replace an old drive in Dundee
- Replace an old drive in Arbroath
- Replace an old drive in Montrose
