What to know before a replacement block drive in Port Glasgow
Around Port Glasgow, plots are often larger and drives longer, so edging, falls and the route the water takes need planning.
In Scotland, front paving must be porous or drain within the property whatever its size, so drainage is part of every design.
In Scotland block paving is often called monoblock; it is the same thing, and the same rules for the base, edging and drainage apply.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Port Glasgow?
Expect replacement block drives in Port Glasgow 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.
| Item | Guide 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 Scotland, 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
- Levels set below the damp-proof course with falls away from the house
- Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
What the survey covers
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
Planning and kerb rules in Port Glasgow
Port Glasgow is in Scotland, so these rules apply:
In Scotland, a hard surface between the house and the road is permitted development only if it is porous or drains to a permeable area within the property. There is no 5 m² threshold: the rule applies whatever the size.
Hard surfaces are not permitted development in a conservation area or within the grounds of a listed building, so planning permission is needed there.
A dropped kerb needs consent from your council as roads authority under section 56 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, and planning permission may also be needed depending on the road.
General guidance, not legal advice. Your survey confirms what applies to your home. See the planning guide.
From enquiry to finished paving
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.
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.
Replace an old drive in Port Glasgow: questions
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.
Is the survey in Port Glasgow 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 I need planning permission for a replacement block drive in Port Glasgow?
In Scotland, front paving must be porous or drain within your boundary at any size, and permitted development does not apply in conservation areas. Ask us on the survey if you are unsure.
Do you cover Greenock, Gourock and Erskine?
Yes. We cover Port Glasgow and the places around it, including Greenock, Gourock and Erskine, and the rest of Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.
Replace an old drive near Port Glasgow
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across Renfrewshire and Inverclyde:
- Replace an old drive in Greenock
- Replace an old drive in Gourock
- Replace an old drive in Erskine
- Replace an old drive in Johnstone
- Replace an old drive in Paisley
- Replace an old drive in Renfrew
