Sunken and rutted block paving in Dunoon: what to expect
Around Dunoon, 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.
Work in Argyll and Bute is by arrangement: we confirm availability and any travel charge before a visit, and many jobs can be priced from photos first.
How much does a sunken area repair cost in Dunoon?
Most sunken area repair quotes in Scotland fall within £300–£1,200 including VAT, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| 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.
- Same blocks relaid, re-jointed and compacted
- Sub-base dug out and rebuilt where it has failed
- Blocks lifted, cleaned and stacked for re-use
- New laying course screeded to the correct level and falls
- Investigation of the cause (drain, sub-base, laying course, edging)
Before we price your sunken area repair
- Whether the edging has moved or was never set in concrete
- Trees, roots and past trenches
- Replacement blocks or hidden blocks to swap in
- Condition and thickness of your existing blocks
- Whether a drain or gully is leaking under the paving
What happens next
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
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
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.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Sunken paving in Dunoon: questions
Do you cover Helensburgh, Gourock and Greenock?
Yes. We cover Dunoon and the places around it, including Helensburgh, Gourock and Greenock, and the rest of Argyll and Bute.
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 Dunoon?
Our guide is £300–£1,200 including VAT. Small repairs are often priced from photos.
Can you repair block paving in Dunoon without replacing it?
Usually, yes. We lift the affected blocks, fix the bed or base, and re-lay the same blocks so the repair matches.
Sunken paving near Dunoon
Nearby towns we cover for sunken paving, and sunken paving across Argyll and Bute:
- Sunken paving in Helensburgh
- Sunken paving in Gourock
- Sunken paving in Greenock
- Sunken paving in Port Glasgow
- Sunken paving in Largs

