Planning a replacement block drive in Hatfield
Hatfield is a sizeable town with a mix of semis, terraces and newer estates, and many drives here were first laid decades ago.
Clay soils are common in parts of the East of England, so drainage and sub-base depth get extra attention.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Hatfield?
Expect replacement block drives in Hatfield to come in at around £100–£190 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 45 m² replacement drive usually comes to between £4,500 and £8,500.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Replace tarmac or concrete with block (incl. break-out) | £100–£190 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £11–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£55 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £370–£1,050 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,050–£3,150 |
Guide figures for the East of England, 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.
- 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
- Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry
- Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
- New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
What we check on a Hatfield survey
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
Rules for front drives in Hatfield
Hatfield 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
Tell us about the job
Use the form, the quote tool, WhatsApp or a call.
We take a look
A survey visit, or photos for smaller repair and cleaning jobs.
Price in writing
Every line itemised, including the dig, edging and drainage.
Booked and built
Agreed start date, then the work, the final clean-down and the joint top-up.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
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.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Replace an old drive in Hatfield: questions
Can you match the blocks to my house in Hatfield?
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 much does a replacement block drive cost in Hatfield?
Our guide for Hatfield is £100–£190 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² replacement drive is usually about £4,500–£8,500. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Is the survey in Hatfield 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.
Do you cover Welwyn Garden City, St Albans and Potters Bar?
Yes. We cover Hatfield and the places around it, including Welwyn Garden City, St Albans and Potters Bar, and the rest of Hertfordshire.
Replace an old drive near Hatfield
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across Hertfordshire:
- Replace an old drive in Welwyn Garden City
- Replace an old drive in St Albans
- Replace an old drive in Potters Bar
- Replace an old drive in Hertford
- Replace an old drive in Harpenden
- Replace an old drive in Borehamwood
