Sunken and rutted block paving in Aberdeen: what to expect
Aberdeen has a big mix of housing, from older terraces near the centre to newer estates further out, so no two drives here start from the same ground.
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 sunken area repair cost in Aberdeen?
Guide price in Aberdeen: £300–£1,200 including VAT. These are Scotland guide figures; the survey or your photos confirm the real price before you commit.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Sunken or rutted patch repaired | £300–£1,200 |
| Small repair (a few blocks or a short trench) | £200–£650 |
| Lift and re-lay on a sound base | £35–£80 per m² |
| Lift and re-lay with sub-base rebuilt | £60–£110 per m² |
Guide figures for Scotland, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What does a sunken area repair involve?
Sunken block paving is an area that has dropped below the surrounding surface, often as wheel ruts where cars turn, a dip near a manhole or drain, or a hollow where water sits after rain. The blocks themselves are usually fine; the problem is underneath.
- Blocks lifted, cleaned and stacked for re-use
- Investigation of the cause (drain, sub-base, laying course, edging)
- Same blocks relaid, re-jointed and compacted
- New laying course screeded to the correct level and falls
- Sub-base dug out and rebuilt where it has failed
What we look at first in Aberdeen
- Whether the edging has moved or was never set in concrete
- Whether a drain or gully is leaking under the paving
- What caused the dip or movement: base, laying course, edging or drains
- Condition and thickness of your existing blocks
- How much of the area needs lifting to blend the repair
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.
How we work
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Sunken paving in Aberdeen: questions
Why does block paving sink?
Most dips come from a thin or poorly compacted sub-base, too much sand under the blocks, failed edging, or water washing material out from a broken drain.
How much does a sunken area repair cost in Aberdeen?
Our guide is £300–£1,200 including VAT. Small repairs are often priced from photos.
Can you send someone just to look?
For larger or unclear problems we visit; for small repairs, clear photos with a tape measure in shot are often enough to price it.
Do you cover Westhill, Stonehaven and Inverurie?
Yes. We cover Aberdeen and the places around it, including Westhill, Stonehaven and Inverurie, and the rest of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
Sunken paving near Aberdeen
Nearby towns we cover for sunken paving, and sunken paving across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire:
- Sunken paving in Westhill
- Sunken paving in Stonehaven
- Sunken paving in Inverurie
- Sunken paving in Ellon
