Planning a replacement block drive in Folkestone
Folkestone is a sizeable town with a mix of semis, terraces and newer estates, and many drives here were first laid decades ago.
Planning-sensitive towns and conservation areas are common in the South East, so we check the front-garden rules before quoting.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Folkestone?
Most replacement block drive quotes in the South East fall within £105–£195 per m² including VAT. A 45 m² replacement drive would usually be about £4,600–£8,750, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| 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 you get with our replace an old drive service
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.
- Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry
- New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
- Drainage added where the old drive sent water to the house or road
- Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
- Levels set below the damp-proof course with falls away from the house
What we check on a Folkestone survey
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
Do you need permission in Folkestone?
Folkestone 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.
How it works
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.
How we work
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
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.
Replace an old drive in Folkestone: questions
Can you match the blocks to my house in Folkestone?
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 Folkestone?
Our guide for Folkestone 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.
Is the survey in Folkestone 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 Dover, Ashford, Kent and Deal?
Yes. We cover Folkestone and the places around it, including Dover, Ashford, Kent and Deal, and the rest of Kent.
Replace an old drive near Folkestone
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across Kent:
- Replace an old drive in Dover
- Replace an old drive in Ashford, Kent
- Replace an old drive in Deal
- Replace an old drive in Canterbury
- Replace an old drive in Faversham
- Replace an old drive in Herne Bay
