How much does a replacement block drive cost in Tyne and Wear?
Guide price in Tyne and Wear: £85–£160 per m² including VAT, which puts a 45 m² replacement drive at about £3,850–£7,300. These are North East guide figures; the survey confirms the real price before you commit.
| Item | Guide 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.
Towns we cover in Tyne and Wear
Choose a town for local prices and details for replace an old drive:
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Sunderland
- South Shields
- Washington
- Tynemouth
- Wallsend
- Newburn
- Whitley Bay
- Houghton-le-Spring
- Felling
- Jarrow
- Gosforth
- Hebburn
What is included?
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.
Wind-driven rain on the North East coast makes falls and a well-filled joint more important.
- Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry
- Drainage added where the old drive sent water to the house or road
- New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
- Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
- Levels set below the damp-proof course with falls away from the house
What the survey covers
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
Rules for front drives in Tyne and Wear
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
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.
Replace an old drive in Tyne and Wear: questions
Is the survey in Tyne and Wear 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 Tyne and Wear?
Our guide for Tyne and Wear 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.
Do you cover Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland and South Shields?
Yes. We cover all of Tyne and Wear, including Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland and South Shields.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Tyne and Wear?
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.
