Scottish Borders · Replace an old drive

Replacing tarmac or concrete with block paving in Hawick

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

  • Postcodes TD9
  • £95–£180 per m² inc VAT
  • Free survey for new paving
Driveway half old cracked tarmac and half new brindle herringbone block paving

What to know before a replacement block drive in Hawick

In and around Hawick, village-style frontages sit alongside newer cul-de-sacs, so the right block often depends on the age of the house.

Frost and heavy rain test paving in Scotland, so a well-drained sub-base and full joints matter as much as the blocks.

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 Hawick?

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

Most replacement block drive quotes in Scotland fall within £95–£180 per m² including VAT. A 45 m² replacement drive would usually be about £4,300–£8,100, with any extras listed separately on your quote.

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 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
  • Levels set below the damp-proof course with falls away from the house
  • Drainage added where the old drive sent water to the house or road
  • Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace

What we check on a Hawick survey

  • Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
  • The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
  • Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
  • Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
  • Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be

Rules for front drives in Hawick

Hawick 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

  1. Tell us about the job

    Use the form, the quote tool, WhatsApp or a call.

  2. We take a look

    A survey visit, or photos for smaller repair and cleaning jobs.

  3. Price in writing

    Every line itemised, including the dig, edging and drainage.

  4. Booked and built

    Agreed start date, then the work, the final clean-down and the joint top-up.

Why choose Block Paving Contractors

The dig and sub-base in writing

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

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.

Repair before replace

If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.

Replace an old drive in Hawick: questions

Is the survey in Hawick 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 Hawick?

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.

Can you match the blocks to my house in Hawick?

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 Hawick?

Our guide for Hawick 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.

Replace an old drive near Hawick

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

Other block paving services in Hawick

Or see all block paving services in Hawick.

Next step

Get a guide price in two minutes

Call, WhatsApp or use the form, and we will come back to you to arrange a visit or a price from photos.

Hands laying charcoal paving blocks in herringbone on a sand bed
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