Block paving cost per m² (and what affects it)
Block paving costs £40–£80 per m² on our current price guide. A typical two-car driveway of about 30 m² comes to roughly £1,200–£2,400 for the paving, or £1,450–£2,850 if the old surface has to come out. The blocks, the pattern, the groundwork and access decide where your drive sits in that range.
These are guide prices from our price calculator. They include labour, materials and VAT where applicable, but they are not a quote: the fixed, written price follows a free site visit.
How much does a block paving driveway cost?
These are guide prices for the three drive sizes in our calculator.
| Drive size | Area | Block paving (guide) | Including removal of the old surface | Typical time on site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single car, 3 × 5 m | 15 m² | £600 – £1,200 | £700 – £1,450 | 1–2 days |
| Two cars, 5 × 6 m | 30 m² | £1,200 – £2,400 | £1,450 – £2,850 | 1–2 days |
| Three cars, 7.5 × 6 m | 45 m² | £1,800 – £3,600 | £2,150 – £4,300 | 2–3 days |
Removal of the existing surface is £8–£15 per m² on our guide. Larger drives and tight access take longer than the times shown.
What does a full block paving job cost?
With the usual extras switched on, the same 30 m² drive looks like this in the calculator:
- Block paving, 30 m²: £1,200 – £2,400
- Remove the existing surface: £250 – £450
- Drainage (channel drain and soakaway): £350 – £700
- Kerb edging, about 22 m: £550 – £900
- Waste removal: £250 – £400
That is a guide of £2,600 – £4,850. Restricted access, where machinery cannot reach the work, adds 12%.
What affects the cost of block paving?
The sub-base
Most driveway problems, such as dips, ruts and rocking blocks, start underneath. We dig out the old surface and soil to the depth the ground needs, then lay and compact MOT Type 1 crushed stone in layers. Much of the ground around Sutton-in-Ashfield and Ashfield is clay, which holds water and moves with the seasons, so this stage matters here. It is also where cheap quotes usually save money.
The blocks and the edging
Driveways are normally laid in 60 mm blocks on a screeded bed of sharp sand, held in by edging set in concrete so the blocks cannot creep. The joints are filled with kiln-dried sand, which locks the blocks together. Block ranges and colours vary in price, and a contrasting border adds edging and cutting.
Drainage
Levels are set so water runs away from the house, towards a border, a soakaway or a channel drain across the entrance. A drive that falls towards the house or the road needs more drainage work.
Size, shape and access
Curves, steps, manhole covers and narrow access all add time. A small drive also carries the same set-up costs as a bigger one, so it costs more per m².
Do block paving patterns change the price?
Yes, a little. Patterns that need more cutting at the edges, such as herringbone and anything with curves, take longer to lay than simple rows. The pattern also changes how well the drive copes with cars turning on it.
| Pattern | Best for | Effect on cost |
|---|---|---|
| Herringbone (45° or 90°) | Driveways: the strongest interlock against turning tyres | More cutting at the edges |
| Stretcher bond | Clean, simple drives, laid across the direction of traffic | Quicker to lay |
| Basket-weave | Paths, patios and light traffic | Not our choice for a drive |
| Borders and bands | Framing the drive and breaking up large areas | Extra edging and cutting |
Is herringbone block paving worth it?
For a driveway, usually yes. Herringbone laid at 45° or 90° gives the strongest interlock and resists the twisting of tyres, which is why it is the usual choice where cars turn and park. The extra cost is in the cutting, not in the blocks.
Is permeable block paving more expensive?
Permeable block paving has wider joints filled with fine grit, laid over an open-graded stone sub-base that holds the water and lets it drain away slowly. It is a different build from standard paving, so price it at the site visit. It matters for planning: the Planning Portal's guidance on paving your front garden says a permeable driveway does not need planning permission, while more than 5 m² of impermeable paving that does not drain to a permeable area does.
Is block paving cheaper than resin or tarmac?
On our guide, block paving (£40–£80 per m²) sits between tarmac (£35–£60) and resin bound (£60–£95). Its big advantage is repairs: single blocks can be lifted and relaid if a utility company digs up the drive or one area gets damaged, where tarmac or concrete has to be patched. Keep a few spare blocks from the same batch, because colours vary slightly between batches.
Quick answers
- Block paving cost per m²: £40–£80 on our guide.
- Block paving driveway cost (30 m²): about £1,200–£2,400 for the paving; £2,600–£4,850 with removal, drainage, edging and a skip.
- Best pattern for a drive: herringbone, for the strongest interlock.
- What is underneath: a dug-out, compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base, a sharp-sand bed and edging set in concrete.
- Time on site: one to two days for a typical 30 m² drive, on our calculator's guide.
See our block paving page for patterns and recent drives, get your own figure from the price calculator, or book a free site visit for a fixed, written quote.
Last updated: 29 September 2026. Written by Lucian, owner of C&L Landscaping & Driveways, Sutton-in-Ashfield.