England · Replace an old drive

Replacing tarmac or concrete with block paving in Nottinghamshire

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

  • 10 towns listed
  • £95–£180 per m² inc VAT
  • Free survey for new paving
Driveway half old cracked tarmac and half new brindle herringbone block paving

How much does a replacement block drive cost in Nottinghamshire?

Guide price in Nottinghamshire£95–£180 per m²Including VAT at 20%

Expect replacement block drives in Nottinghamshire to come in at around £95–£180 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 45 m² replacement drive usually comes to between £4,300 and £8,100.

ItemGuide price inc VAT
Replace tarmac or concrete with block (incl. break-out)£95–£180 per m²
Breaking out an old surface£10–£40 per m²
Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched£20–£50 per metre
Typical channel drain run£350–£1,000
Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction£1,000–£3,000

Guide figures for the East Midlands, checked 9 November 2026.

Towns we cover in Nottinghamshire

Choose a town for local prices and details for replace an old drive:

What does a replacement block drive involve?

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.

Clay and mudstone ground is common in the East Midlands, so we allow for a deeper sub-base where the survey shows soft ground.

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

What the survey covers

  • Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
  • Trees and roots near the drive
  • Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
  • Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
  • Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours

Rules for front drives in Nottinghamshire

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

  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.

Replace an old drive in Nottinghamshire: questions

Do you cover Nottingham, Mansfield and Worksop?

Yes. We cover all of Nottinghamshire, including Nottingham, Mansfield and Worksop.

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.

Is the survey in Nottinghamshire 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.

How much does a replacement block drive cost in Nottinghamshire?

Our guide for Nottinghamshire is £95–£180 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² replacement drive is usually about £4,300–£8,100. Your fixed price follows the survey.

Neighbouring areas

Next step

Get a guide price in two minutes

Answer four quick questions for an instant guide price, then book a free survey to fix it in writing. Repairs and cleaning can often be priced from photos.

Hands laying charcoal paving blocks in herringbone on a sand bed
CallGet a quote