Sunken and rutted block paving in Hitchin: the local picture
In Hitchin, many front gardens have already been paved once, so new paving often starts with breaking out the old surface.
Clay soils are common in parts of the East of England, so drainage and sub-base depth get extra attention.
How much does a sunken area repair cost in Hitchin?
Guide price in Hitchin: £320–£1,250 including VAT. These are East of England guide figures; the survey or your photos confirm the real price before you commit.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Sunken or rutted patch repaired | £320–£1,250 |
| Small repair (a few blocks or a short trench) | £210–£680 |
| Lift and re-lay on a sound base | £35–£85 per m² |
| Lift and re-lay with sub-base rebuilt | £65–£115 per m² |
Guide figures for the East of England, 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
- 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
- Investigation of the cause (drain, sub-base, laying course, edging)
Before we price your sunken area repair
- Falls, so water does not collect again
- How much of the area needs lifting to blend the repair
- What caused the dip or movement: base, laying course, edging or drains
- Whether a drain or gully is leaking under the paving
- Whether the edging has moved or was never set in concrete
From enquiry to finished paving
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.
How we work
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
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 Hitchin: questions
Can you repair block paving in Hitchin 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.
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.
How much does a sunken area repair cost in Hitchin?
Our guide is £320–£1,250 including VAT. Small repairs are often priced from photos.
Sunken paving near Hitchin
Nearby towns we cover for sunken paving, and sunken paving across Hertfordshire:
- Sunken paving in Letchworth Garden City
- Sunken paving in Stevenage
- Sunken paving in Harpenden
- Sunken paving in Welwyn Garden City
- Sunken paving in Hatfield
- Sunken paving in Hertford

