Sunken and rutted block paving in Portslade: what to expect
In and around Portslade, village-style frontages sit alongside newer cul-de-sacs, so the right block often depends on the age of the house.
Chalk, clay and sandy ground all occur across the South East, so the dig and sub-base depth are set on the survey rather than assumed.
How much does a sunken area repair cost in Portslade?
In the South East, a sunken area repair usually costs £320–£1,300 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 | £320–£1,300 |
| Small repair (a few blocks or a short trench) | £215–£700 |
| Lift and re-lay on a sound base | £40–£85 per m² |
| Lift and re-lay with sub-base rebuilt | £65–£120 per m² |
Guide figures for the South East, 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
- Investigation of the cause (drain, sub-base, laying course, edging)
- New laying course screeded to the correct level and falls
- Sub-base dug out and rebuilt where it has failed
- Blocks lifted, cleaned and stacked for re-use
Before we price your sunken area repair
- Falls, so water does not collect again
- Trees, roots and past trenches
- How much of the area needs lifting to blend the repair
- Whether a drain or gully is leaking under the paving
- Condition and thickness of your existing blocks
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.
How we work
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
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.
Sunken paving in Portslade: questions
Do you cover Hove, Brighton and Rottingdean?
Yes. We cover Portslade and the places around it, including Hove, Brighton and Rottingdean, and the rest of East Sussex.
How much does a sunken area repair cost in Portslade?
Our guide is £320–£1,300 including VAT. Small repairs are often priced from photos.
Can you repair block paving in Portslade 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.
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.
Sunken paving near Portslade
Nearby towns we cover for sunken paving, and sunken paving across East Sussex:
- Sunken paving in Hove
- Sunken paving in Brighton
- Sunken paving in Rottingdean
- Sunken paving in Seaford
- Sunken paving in Hailsham
- Sunken paving in Crowborough
