Sunken and rutted block paving in Poole: the local picture
Across Poole, front gardens range from narrow terrace plots to broad modern drives, and the best block, pattern and drainage choice changes with them.
The South West is wetter than the east of England, so falls and drainage are planned before the pattern is chosen.
How much does a sunken area repair cost in Poole?
In the South West, a sunken area repair usually costs £300–£1,200 including VAT. Your exact price depends on what the survey or your photos show, and is fixed in writing before anything is booked.
| 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 the South West, 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.
- New laying course screeded to the correct level and falls
- 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
- Investigation of the cause (drain, sub-base, laying course, edging)
How we find the cause
- Replacement blocks or hidden blocks to swap in
- Whether a drain or gully is leaking under the paving
- Trees, roots and past trenches
- Condition and thickness of your existing blocks
- Whether the edging has moved or was never set in concrete
What happens next
Send the basics
Postcode, what you need and a rough size. Photos help.
Survey
We measure, check levels, ground and drainage, and talk through blocks and patterns.
Written quote
An itemised quote with the specification, the price and the start date.
The work
Our paving team builds it to the agreed specification and leaves the site swept.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
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.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Sunken paving in Poole: questions
Do you cover Bournemouth, Ferndown and Christchurch?
Yes. We cover Poole and the places around it, including Bournemouth, Ferndown and Christchurch, and the rest of Dorset.
How much does a sunken area repair cost in Poole?
Our guide is £300–£1,200 including VAT. Small repairs are often priced from photos.
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 Poole 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 Poole
Nearby towns we cover for sunken paving, and sunken paving across Dorset:
- Sunken paving in Bournemouth
- Sunken paving in Ferndown
- Sunken paving in Christchurch
- Sunken paving in Dorchester
- Sunken paving in Weymouth
