Northumberland · Replace an old drive

Replacing tarmac or concrete with block paving in Cramlington

Replacing tarmac or concrete with block paving in Cramlington: built on a properly dug and compacted base, edged in concrete and laid to falls that take water away from the house.

  • Postcodes NE23
  • £85–£160 per m² inc VAT
  • Free survey for new paving
Driveway half old cracked tarmac and half new brindle herringbone block paving

Replacing tarmac or concrete with block paving in Cramlington: the local picture

Homes in Cramlington include plenty of semis and detached houses with room for a drive, plus older terraces where parking is tighter.

Former colliery ground and clay soils occur across the North East, so the survey checks for soft spots before the sub-base depth is set.

How much does a replacement block drive cost in Cramlington?

Guide price in Cramlington£85–£160 per m²Including VAT at 20%

In the North East, a replacement block drive usually costs £85–£160 per m² including VAT. For a 45 m² replacement drive, that is roughly £3,850–£7,300. Your exact price depends on what the survey or your photos show, and is fixed in writing before anything is booked.

ItemGuide price inc VAT
Replace tarmac or concrete with block (incl. break-out)£85–£160 per m²
Breaking out an old surface£9–£35 per m²
Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched£18–£45 per metre
Typical channel drain run£320–£900
Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction£900–£2,700

Guide figures for the North 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.

  • Drainage added where the old drive sent water to the house or road
  • Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
  • New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
  • Levels set below the damp-proof course with falls away from the house
  • Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry

What the survey covers

  • Steps, thresholds and door heights
  • Trees and roots near the drive
  • Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
  • Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
  • Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them

Planning and kerb rules in Cramlington

Cramlington 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

  1. Quick details

    Your postcode and the job. It takes a minute.

  2. On-site check

    Measurements, levels against the damp-proof course, ground and drainage.

  3. Itemised quote

    Fixed once the specification is agreed, with no vague extras.

  4. Laid and finished

    Compacted, jointed and handed back clean.

What you can expect from us

The dig and sub-base in writing

Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.

Honest timescales

We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.

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.

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 Cramlington: questions

How much does a replacement block drive cost in Cramlington?

Our guide for Cramlington is £85–£160 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² replacement drive is usually about £3,850–£7,300. Your fixed price follows the survey.

Is the survey in Cramlington 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.

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.

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.

Replace an old drive near Cramlington

Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across Northumberland:

Other block paving services in Cramlington

Or see all block paving services in Cramlington.

Next step

Get a guide price in two minutes

Get a guide price in a couple of minutes with our quote tool, or book a survey in Cramlington.

Hands laying charcoal paving blocks in herringbone on a sand bed
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