England · Sunken paving

Sunken and rutted block paving in Cornwall

When a block drive in Cornwall or nearby Redruth starts to dip or rattle, the blocks are rarely the problem; the bed and base usually are.

  • 6 towns listed
  • £300–£1,200 inc VAT
  • Free survey for new paving
Older block paved driveway with a sunken dip and a puddle in the wheel track

How much does a sunken area repair cost in Cornwall?

Guide price in Cornwall£300–£1,200Including VAT at 20%

Most sunken area repair quotes in the South West fall within £300–£1,200 including VAT, with any extras listed separately on your quote.

ItemGuide 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 the South West, checked 9 November 2026.

Towns we cover in Cornwall

Choose a town for local prices and details for sunken paving:

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.

The South West is wetter than the east of England, so falls and drainage are planned before the pattern is chosen.

  • Sub-base dug out and rebuilt where it has failed
  • New laying course screeded to the correct level and falls
  • 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

How we find the cause

  • Trees, roots and past trenches
  • Whether the edging has moved or was never set in concrete
  • Condition and thickness of your existing blocks
  • How much of the area needs lifting to blend the repair
  • What caused the dip or movement: base, laying course, edging or drains

How it works

  1. Quick details

    Your postcode and the job. It takes a minute.

  2. On-site check

    Measurements, levels against the damp-proof course, ground and drainage.

  3. Itemised quote

    Fixed once the specification is agreed, with no vague extras.

  4. Laid and finished

    Compacted, jointed and handed back clean.

Sunken paving in Cornwall: 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.

Can you repair block paving in Cornwall 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.

Do you cover Redruth, Falmouth and St Austell?

Yes. We cover all of Cornwall, including Redruth, Falmouth and St Austell.

How much does a sunken area repair cost in Cornwall?

Our guide is £300–£1,200 including VAT. Small repairs are often priced from photos.

Neighbouring areas

Next step

Get a guide price in two minutes

Answer four quick questions for an instant guide price, then book a free survey to fix it in writing. Repairs and cleaning can often be priced from photos.

Hands laying charcoal paving blocks in herringbone on a sand bed
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