What to know before a replacement block drive in Totton
Homes in Totton include plenty of semis and detached houses with room for a drive, plus older terraces where parking is tighter.
Chalk, clay and sandy ground all occur across the South East, so the dig and sub-base depth are set on the survey rather than assumed.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Totton?
In the South East, a replacement block drive usually costs £105–£195 per m² including VAT. For a 45 m² replacement drive, that is roughly £4,600–£8,750. Your exact price depends on what the survey or your photos show, and is fixed in writing before anything is booked.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Replace tarmac or concrete with block (incl. break-out) | £105–£195 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £11–£45 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£55 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £380–£1,100 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,100–£3,250 |
Guide figures for the South East, 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.
- Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
- Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry
- 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
What we check on a Totton survey
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
Planning and kerb rules in Totton
Totton 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
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.
What you can expect from us
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.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Replace an old drive in Totton: 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.
Do you cover Southampton, Hythe and Eastleigh?
Yes. We cover Totton and the places around it, including Southampton, Hythe and Eastleigh, and the rest of Hampshire.
Do I need planning permission for a replacement block drive in Totton?
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 Totton?
Our guide for Totton is £105–£195 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² replacement drive is usually about £4,600–£8,750. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Replace an old drive near Totton
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across Hampshire:
- Replace an old drive in Southampton
- Replace an old drive in Hythe
- Replace an old drive in Eastleigh
- Replace an old drive in Winchester
- Replace an old drive in New Milton
- Replace an old drive in Fareham
