Sunken and rutted block paving in Dover: what to expect
Dover is a sizeable town with a mix of semis, terraces and newer estates, and many drives here were first laid decades ago.
Planning-sensitive towns and conservation areas are common in the South East, so we check the front-garden rules before quoting.
How much does a sunken area repair cost in Dover?
Most sunken area repair quotes in the South East fall within £320–£1,300 including VAT, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| 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 is included?
Common causes are a sub-base that was too thin or not compacted, a laying course that was too thick, water washing sand out through a broken drain, or a trench that was never properly filled. Re-levelling means lifting the blocks in and around the dip, finding and fixing the cause, rebuilding and compacting the layers, and relaying the same blocks so they match.
- 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
- Sub-base dug out and rebuilt where it has failed
What we look at first in Dover
- How much of the area needs lifting to blend the repair
- Whether the edging has moved or was never set in concrete
- Whether a drain or gully is leaking under the paving
- What caused the dip or movement: base, laying course, edging or drains
- Falls, so water does not collect again
From enquiry to finished paving
Tell us about the job
Use the form, the quote tool, WhatsApp or a call.
We take a look
A survey visit, or photos for smaller repair and cleaning jobs.
Price in writing
Every line itemised, including the dig, edging and drainage.
Booked and built
Agreed start date, then the work, the final clean-down and the joint top-up.
How we work
One point of contact
You deal with one team from survey to sign-off, with work carried out by paving teams working under S&K.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
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.
Sunken paving in Dover: questions
Can you repair block paving in Dover 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.
How much does a sunken area repair cost in Dover?
Our guide is £320–£1,300 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.
Do you cover Folkestone, Deal and Canterbury?
Yes. We cover Dover and the places around it, including Folkestone, Deal and Canterbury, and the rest of Kent.
Sunken paving near Dover
Nearby towns we cover for sunken paving, and sunken paving across Kent:
- Sunken paving in Folkestone
- Sunken paving in Deal
- Sunken paving in Canterbury
- Sunken paving in Ramsgate
- Sunken paving in Broadstairs
- Sunken paving in Margate

