What to know before a replacement block drive in Caldicot
In and around Caldicot, village-style frontages sit alongside newer cul-de-sacs, so the right block often depends on the age of the house.
Wales is wetter than most of England, and new front paving has to be permeable or drain within the property, so drainage is designed in from the start.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Caldicot?
Expect replacement block drives in Caldicot to come in at around £90–£165 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 45 m² replacement drive usually comes to between £4,000 and £7,550.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Replace tarmac or concrete with block (incl. break-out) | £90–£165 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £9.50–£35 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £19–£45 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £330–£930 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £930–£2,800 |
Guide figures for Wales, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What does a replacement block drive involve?
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.
- Levels set below the damp-proof course with falls away from the house
- Drainage added where the old drive sent water to the house or road
- Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
- Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry
- New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
Before we price your replacement block drive
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
Do you need permission in Caldicot?
Caldicot is in Wales, so these rules apply:
In Wales, any new or replacement hard surface at the front of a house should be permeable or drain to a permeable area within the property to avoid needing planning permission. Unlike England, there is no 5 m² allowance for new paving; only repairs of up to 5 m² of existing surface are exempt.
Since January 2019, construction work covering 100 m² or more with drainage implications, including drives and patios, needs approval from the local SuDS Approving Body (SAB) before work starts, even where planning permission is not needed.
A dropped kerb needs your council's approval as highway authority, and a new access onto a classified road needs planning permission.
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
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
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.
Replace an old drive in Caldicot: questions
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Caldicot?
Our guide for Caldicot is £90–£165 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² replacement drive is usually about £4,000–£7,550. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Is the survey in Caldicot 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.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Caldicot?
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.
Do I need planning permission for a replacement block drive in Caldicot?
In Wales, new front paving should be permeable or drain within your boundary to avoid planning permission, and drives of 100 m² or more need SuDS approval. Ask us on the survey if you are unsure.
Replace an old drive near Caldicot
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across Gwent:
- Replace an old drive in Chepstow
- Replace an old drive in Newport, Gwent
- Replace an old drive in Cwmbran
- Replace an old drive in Pontypool
- Replace an old drive in Risca
- Replace an old drive in Monmouth
