Greater Manchester · Replace an old drive

Replacing tarmac or concrete with block paving in Westhoughton

Replacing tarmac or concrete with block paving in Westhoughton: built on a properly dug and compacted base, edged in concrete and laid to falls that take water away from the house.

  • Postcodes BL5, BL6
  • £95–£180 per m² inc VAT
  • Free survey for new paving
Driveway half old cracked tarmac and half new brindle herringbone block paving

Replacing tarmac or concrete with block paving in Westhoughton: the local picture

Homes in Westhoughton include plenty of semis and detached houses with room for a drive, plus older terraces where parking is tighter.

The North West is one of the wetter parts of England, so falls, channel drains and permeable options matter more than usual.

How much does a replacement block drive cost in Westhoughton?

Guide price in Westhoughton£95–£180 per m²Including VAT at 20%

For Westhoughton, our guide is £95–£180 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² replacement drive is likely to be £4,300–£8,100. Smaller jobs cost more per square metre because set-up and waste costs do not shrink with the area.

ItemGuide 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 the North West, 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.

  • 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
  • New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
  • Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
  • Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry

Before we price your replacement block drive

  • Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
  • Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
  • Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
  • Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
  • Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours

Rules for front drives in Westhoughton

Westhoughton 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.

What happens next

  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

Itemised quotes

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

The dig and sub-base in writing

Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.

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.

Replace an old drive in Westhoughton: 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.

How much does a replacement block drive cost in Westhoughton?

Our guide for Westhoughton 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.

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

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.

Can you match the blocks to my house in Westhoughton?

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 Westhoughton

Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across Greater Manchester:

Other block paving services in Westhoughton

Or see all block paving services in Westhoughton.

Next step

Get a guide price in two minutes

Call, WhatsApp or use the form, and we will come back to you to arrange a visit or a price from photos.

Hands laying charcoal paving blocks in herringbone on a sand bed
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