Sunken and rutted block paving in Smethwick: what to expect
Homes in Smethwick include plenty of semis and detached houses with room for a drive, plus older terraces where parking is tighter.
Inter-war semis with narrow front gardens are common in the West Midlands, so front garden conversions and drive widenings are often the practical choice.
How much does a sunken area repair cost in Smethwick?
Guide price in Smethwick: £300–£1,200 including VAT. These are West Midlands guide figures; the survey or your photos confirm the real price before you commit.
| 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 West Midlands, 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
- Blocks lifted, cleaned and stacked for re-use
- Sub-base dug out and rebuilt where it has failed
Before we price your sunken area repair
- Whether the edging has moved or was never set in concrete
- Condition and thickness of your existing blocks
- Whether a drain or gully is leaking under the paving
- What caused the dip or movement: base, laying course, edging or drains
- Replacement blocks or hidden blocks to swap in
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.
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.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
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.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Sunken paving in Smethwick: questions
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.
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 Smethwick 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 Smethwick?
Our guide is £300–£1,200 including VAT. Small repairs are often priced from photos.
Sunken paving near Smethwick
Nearby towns we cover for sunken paving, and sunken paving across West Midlands:
- Sunken paving in West Bromwich
- Sunken paving in Birmingham
- Sunken paving in Aston
- Sunken paving in Bartley Green
- Sunken paving in Halesowen
- Sunken paving in Wednesbury
