Replacing tarmac or concrete with block paving in Welwyn Garden City: the local picture
Welwyn Garden City 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 Welwyn Garden City?
Expect replacement block drives in Welwyn Garden City 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?
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.
- 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
- 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 Welwyn Garden City survey
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
Rules for front drives in Welwyn Garden City
Welwyn Garden City 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
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.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Replace an old drive in Welwyn Garden City: questions
Do I need planning permission for a replacement block drive in Welwyn Garden City?
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 Welwyn Garden City?
Our guide for Welwyn Garden City 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.
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.
What happens to my old drive?
It is broken out and taken away by skip or grab lorry, listed as its own line on your quote.
Replace an old drive near Welwyn Garden City
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across Hertfordshire:
- Replace an old drive in Hatfield
- Replace an old drive in Hertford
- Replace an old drive in St Albans
- Replace an old drive in Harpenden
- Replace an old drive in Stevenage
- Replace an old drive in Potters Bar
