Planning a replacement block drive in Ilford
Ilford has a big mix of housing, from older terraces near the centre to newer estates further out, so no two drives here start from the same ground.
Many London streets have controlled parking and narrow frontages, so we measure the car space and the crossover before anything else.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Ilford?
Expect replacement block drives in Ilford to come in at around £115–£215 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 45 m² replacement drive usually comes to between £5,150 and £9,700.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Replace tarmac or concrete with block (incl. break-out) | £115–£215 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £12–£50 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £25–£60 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £420–£1,200 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,200–£3,600 |
Guide figures for London, 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.
- 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
- 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
Before we price your replacement block drive
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
Rules for front drives in Ilford
Ilford 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.
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.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Replace an old drive in Ilford: questions
Do I need planning permission for a replacement block drive in Ilford?
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 Ilford?
Our guide for Ilford is £115–£215 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² replacement drive is usually about £5,150–£9,700. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Do you cover Barking, Becontree and Leytonstone?
Yes. We cover Ilford and the places around it, including Barking, Becontree and Leytonstone, and the rest of Greater London.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Ilford?
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.
Replace an old drive near Ilford
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across Greater London:
- Replace an old drive in Barking
- Replace an old drive in Becontree
- Replace an old drive in Leytonstone
- Replace an old drive in Stratford
- Replace an old drive in Canning Town
- Replace an old drive in Dagenham
