How Much Block Paving a Driveway?

The average cost for a block paving driveway installation is around £3,000-£5,000. The size of the driveway and the complexity of the design will affect the overall cost. This will also affect the time it takes to complete the work.

Driveway block paving has become more and more popular over the years. More modern block paving driveways can be made from a number of different materials including stone, brick, and cement.

These are usually available in a wide range of colours and textures to help you get the exact aesthetic that you’re looking for.

Block paving driveway prices will vary depending on the size of the driveway, the materials used, the ease of access, and the time it takes to install.

Block Paving Prices

The table below should give you a good idea of how much you can expect a new block paving driveway to cost depending on the size of your driveway and the materials used:

Job Description Duration Average Cost
Small driveway 20m2 with concrete blocks 3-4 days £3,000-£5,000
Medium driveway 50m2 with concrete blocks 4-5 days £4,500-£6,500
Large driveway 100m2 with concrete blocks 5-7 days £5,000-£7,000
Small driveway 20m2 with brick blocks 3-4 days £4,000-£5,000
Medium driveway 50m2 with brick blocks 4-5 days £5,000-£6,500
Large driveway 100m2 with brick blocks 5-7 days £8,500-£10,500
Small driveway 20m2 with composite blocks 3-4 days £4,000-£6,000
Medium driveway 50m2 with composite blocks 4-5 days £5,500-£7,000
Large driveway 100m2 with composite blocks 5-7 days £9,500-£12,000
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What are the Supply Costs of a Block Paving Driveway Installation?

If you are thinking about doing a DIY block paving driveway installation, then you may be interested in the cost for supplies without the cost of labour.

The costs for supplies will vary depending on the type of blocks that you choose to use. For example, concrete blocks cost around £19-£48 per m2 whereas composite blocks cost around £90-£125 per m2.

The table below highlights the cost you can expect for the supplies of different types of block paving:

Materials Average Cost Per Square Metre
Concrete blocks £19-£48
Brick blocks £32-£65
Stone blocks £40-£115
Composite blocks £90-£125

What are the Additional Costs of Building a Block Paving Driveway?

There are several additional costs that you may want to think about when installing a new block paving driveway if you want to complete the aesthetic. Below is a list of each additional cost of installing a block paving driveway:

Driveway Gate

Once you’ve paved your driveway, you may want to think about the entrance to your property. It may be an ideal time to add a driveway gate to your property once you’ve had your new driveway installed. Driveway gates can vary in price depending on the type of gate and materials used. On average, driveway gates tend to cost around £150-£1,000.

Weed Membrane

To help with the future maintenance of your driveway, it may be beneficial for you to have a weed membrane installed underneath the new paving blocks. This helps to keep the driveway weed-free and reduces the amount of time that needs to be spent on maintenance significantly. This is usually priced at around £5-£12 per m2.

Landscaping

After your new driveway has been installed, it may be worth looking into hiring a gardener to tidy up the rest of the area in front of your property. This can include flower beds, trees, grass, fences, and borders.

A professional landscaper can help you completely perfect the aesthetic you’re going for. The cost to hire a professional landscaper will usually be around £100-£180 per day.

For a more detailed look in to landscaping costs, check out this guide.

Tradesmen Costs for Block Paving Driveway Installation

When you hire tradespeople to complete your block driveway, you would usually opt for a block paving specialist as they will have the experience and knowledge needed to complete the job efficiently and well.

Alternatively, you may hire a general builder to complete this type of work, however, they may not have the skills needed to complete more intricate or complex block paving jobs.

A block paving specialist will usually charge around £150-£250 per day and a general builder will usually charge around £100-£150 per day.

The overall price that you pay for labour on a block paving installation job will depend on a variety of factors including the difficulty of the job, the ease of access, the time it takes to complete the job, and your location in the UK.

The longer the job takes, the more it will cost in labour. Those based in London can also expect to pay more for the overall cost of labour than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.


How Long Does It Take to Lay Block Paving?

The timescales for completing a block paving driveway are important as the longer it takes to complete the job, the more you can expect to pay overall. The timescales of the project will usually determine the final cost of the labour.

When you contact a company about installing block paving, they will usually give you a good idea of how long they expect the job to take and the costs involved with each part of the job.

There are several factors that can affect the time it takes to install a block paving driveway. This includes the size of the project, the complexity of the job, and the ease of access.

If you choose a complex design such as a herringbone design or a custom design as opposed to a simple chequered pattern, this will usually take longer to complete.

A simple average-sized block driveway can usually be completed within around 1-3 days whereas a more complex design could take closer to 4-6 days to complete.

The number of tradespeople that work on the job can also affect the timescales. If more tradespeople are working on the job, it’s likely that it will be completed sooner than if there was just one tradesperson working on it.

Choosing a Block Paving Driveway

There are several different types of block paving and the type you choose will depend on your budget and the aesthetic that you are trying to achieve. Below is a list of the different types of block paving with some information about each type:

Concrete Block Paving Driveway Costs

The most cost-effective and simplest option when it comes to block paving is concrete paving blocks. These are blocks that are pre-made in a factory and are usually supplied in a variety of different colours.

The biggest advantage of concrete block paving is its price point. If you are on a tight budget, concrete block paving is the best option for you.

The disadvantages of concrete block paving include the fact that there are less colour and style options than other block paving types and the low-quality construction of the blocks in comparison to other types.

The average cost of concrete block paving is around £19-£48 per m2.

Pros:

  • Great value for money if you're on a tight budget
  • Available in different colours

Cons:

  • Less colour and styles available
  • These are lower quality types of block

Brick Block Paving Driveway Costs

Brick is a very popular type of block paving material. This type of block paving block is also made in a factory, often by brick-making specialists.

There are a number of advantages of choosing brick block paving such as the many different styles, sizes, and colours that are available.

The main downside to brick block paving is that it is more expensive than concrete and slightly less durable. The average cost for brick block paving is around £32-£65 per m2.

Pros:

  • Huge variety of styles
  • Available in many colours
  • Easy to repair

Cons:

  • It can be quite expensive
  • Not as durable as other options

Stone Block Paving Driveway Costs

Stone block paving offers a very aesthetically pleasing design. It is also considered to be more durable against bad weather, damage, and erosion.

The main disadvantages of stone block paving are the limited colours, textures, and types that are available.

It is also a more expensive option compared to some other block paving types. The average cost of stone block paving is around £40-£115 per m2.

Pros:

  • Aesthetically pleasing
  • More durable than other options

Cons:

  • Limited colours and styles
  • More expensive than other options

Composite Block Paving Driveway Costs

Composite block paving is a new, modern type of paving block that is cast out of polymer-based resins. The advantages of these blocks is that they are very versatile and durable.

Many composite paving blocks are constructed using recycled materials. This means that they are a great environmentally-friendly alternative to the other types of paving blocks that you can buy.

The main disadvantage of composite block paving is the high price point when compared to other block paving types. The average cost for composite block paving is around £90-£125 per m2.

Pros:

  • Made from recycled materials so more environmentally friendly
  • Versatile and durable

Cons:

  • It can be quite expensive

Benefits of Block Paving

There are various advantages to choosing block paving for your new driveway. Below is a list of the main benefits of block paving:

Versatility

Block paving is a great choice of driveway material because it comes in a wide range of styles, colours and patterns. It can also be customised to your own taste so you can achieve the exact aesthetic that you’re looking for.

Durability

Block paving tends to last a very long time due to its durability. You can drive your car on it or park your car on it for years on end and the driveway won’t suffer in any way from wear and tear. Block paving is also highly resistant to weather, chemicals, salts, frosts, and oils.

Environmentally Sustainable

Block paving is very environmentally sustainable due to its porous nature. This means that block paving will tend to soak up rainwater rather than allowing it to gather on your driveway. The surface area will have much better drainage than some other driveway types.

Visually Appealing

There are so many different styles and colours of block paving available. You can choose to have your block paving laid in a variety of styles including simple, basic styles and more intricate, complex styles.

This means that you can easily obtain the aesthetic that you’re trying to achieve with your driveway and greatly improve the exterior look of your home.

Low Maintenance

One of the main advantages of block paving is that it doesn’t require much maintenance. Just a routine cleaning with soapy water every now and again is enough to keep it looking its best.

How much Does It Cost to Remove a Block Paving Driveway?

If you are looking to have a new driveway fitted, you need to remove your old block paving driveway.

To remove a block paving driveway, you will most likely hire a labourer or general builder who will charge around £150-£200 per day. The average driveway will usually take around 1-2 days to remove.

When removing a block paving driveway, you may also need to hire a skip to get rid of all the waste.

This will cost around £65-£170 depending on the size that you’ll need. The size of skip that you need will depend on the size of your driveway and the amount of waste that you expect to be disposing of.

FAQs

Q: How do you seal block paving?

A: Below is a simple guide on how to seal block paving:

  1. Clean the paving and use a wire brush to remove all of the dirt and debris from the surface
  2. Allow the area to completely dry
  3. Use a broom to remove any remaining bits of dirt or debris
  4. Refill the joints using kiln-dried sand
  5. Brush away all of the excess sand using a broom
  6. Roll the first layer of joint sealer on the driveway
  7. Leave this layer to completely dry
  8. Go over the driveway with a second layer of sealant and leave it to dry

Q: Which is the best cleaning method for a block paving driveway?

A: Below is a simple guide on the best way to clean a block paving driveway:

  1. Mix soap and warm water in a bucket
  2. Start at the corners and pour the soapy solution in batches and scrub it until any dirt on the block paving becomes loose. Repeat this until all of the block paving space is scrubbed clean
  3. Use a fresh bucket of water or hose to wash away to dirty water from the surface of the driveway

Q: Which sand is used for block paving?

A: Kiln-dried sand is the most suitable sand type for block paving joints. This is a very fine type of sand that has been dried in a kiln to remove all of the moisture.

Q: How long does a block paving driveway generally last?

A: With the correct installation and some light maintenance, your block paving driveway should last for around 15-20 years on average.

Q: Do I need planning permission for a block paving driveway?

A: You won’t need planning permission for block paving as long as you use a permeable material or provide a suitable drainage system.

Author: Kim J

I have a bachelor's degree in Journalism, which I studied in both the UK and USA. I've been a freelance writer for over eight years and have experience working with many large brands. My experience in writing is over a wide range of different niches, and I've specifically worked in the DIY and trades section for nearly two years. My favourite thing about freelance writing is working wherever I want as I love travelling and discovering new places and cultures.