• Home
  • DIY
    • Self build
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
  • News
  • Community
Facebook Twitter Instagram
lets-do-diy.com
  • Home
  • DIY
    • Self build
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
  • News
  • Community
lets-do-diy.com
You are at:Home»Projects and advice»Average cost of block paving

Average cost of block paving

Summary: How much does block paving cost, average block paving installation costs and average cost of block paving materials.


Block paving is a popular choice for driveways, paths and patios as it is very neat and provides a professional looking surface for many years. However, it can be considerably more expensive than a simple tarmac solution, albeit it can still provide good value because of its longevity, if laid properly. It is its looks and lifespan that have seen it grow rapidly in popularity in recent years. This increase in popularity has also allowed costs to become more competitive.


Average Cost

JobAverage CostUpdatedQuote
Block paving (Labour & materials)
(m²)
£45 – £80 (m²)2019n/a


Factors to consider

Costs will, to a large extent, be influenced by the area to be covered so they need to be considered in terms of the relative cost to other materials rather than absolute cost. One of the major considerations is whether you are going to lay them yourself or engage a professional. Clearly DIY is the cheapest option but laying block paving to achieve a long lasting result requires quite a high level of skill. So in the long run it may be better value to use a specialist. If you are carrying out the work yourself it may be necessary to purchase a larger quantity of blocks to allow for wastage and errors.

One of the most important factors before the work is carried out is whether the area to be covered has been properly drained and prepared. This preparation work is necessary before any sort of driveway is laid and it will necessarily add cost to the job. Block paving will not allow any water through if laid correctly so it is vital that there is a runoff of any surplus water. The complexity of the job will dictate costs too so if you have a complicated network of drains, man hole covers and changing levels it will cost you more.

Since October 2008 it has been a legal requirement to obtain planning permission if you want to pave over your front garden. If the surface to be covered is more than five square metres then you will need planning permission for block paving. This is the case regardless of whether it is a new or replacement driveway. Planning permission attracts a small cost but can add considerably to the length of project time as it can take up to 8 weeks to obtain.



Costs to consider

One of the advantages of block paving is that because the blocks are fairly small and usually come in a range of sizes it can be used in areas of almost any size. They also come in a variety of shapes and colours. The number of option is almost endless and this will be a key factor in terms of cost. There are traditional ways of laying designs such as in a herringbone pattern but the complexity of your design can also carry a cost. You do not have to stick to a single colour or shape it is common to vary the edging colour for example.

If you are using a specialist tradesman it is sensible to get a number of quotes for the job to ensure you get the finish and price that is best for you. Make sure you know what materials each tradesman is working with as block paving comes in a range of qualities and consequently prices. Furthermore it is not just the cost of the blocks that you have to consider but also the base materials and the sand for bedding and jointing the blocks.

Prices do vary considerably and this can be a regional issue as well as due to variation in cost of materials. It will also be the case generally that the larger the space to be paved the better price you should get on a price per square metre basis. It may also be that costs vary by time of year. In the height of summer when the weather is best specialist traders will be at their busiest so you may find that prices are at a premium. If you choose a time when things are quiet there are more likely to be special offers and deals available.

Costs will need to take into account how much preparation work will be required. This could include things such as digging up existing materials and disposing of them. If a skip is required for example this can add considerably to the cost. Likewise, if carrying out the preparation work yourself, it may be necessary to hire a mini digger. A specialist tradesman will have all the tools required for the job but if this is a DIY project you may need to hire other specialist equipment such as a vibrating compactor and a block splitter.

Recent Comments
  • Vic on Is Christmas a good time for DIY?
  • Anonymous on Average air source heat pump cost (2022)
  • Reggie on Prepare your home for moth season
Latest News
0

Potential DIY home improvement trends for 2023

1

Is Christmas a good time for DIY?

0

Design trends for 2022 and 2023

0

Product Review: Handsaws

Popular Guides

Average cost of a loft conversion

Average dehumidifier cost

Average cost of landscaping

Average carpet cleaning costs

Popular Projects

How to repair flaking paint

Tap repairs

Radiator problems and radiator repairs

Laying ceramic floor tiles

DIY Categories
Bathroom
Building, brickwork and masonry
Ceilings
Cleaning
Concrete work
Damp, rot and infestation
Drains
Electrical
Fireplaces
Floors
Garden
Heating
Insulation
Kitchen
Lighting
Lofts
Painting and decorating
Plasterwork
Plumbing
Roof and guttering
Safety
Security
Tiling
Walls
Windows
Woodwork

Self Build Guide
How to find a building plot
Evaluating a building plot (2023)
How to get a self build mortgage
Self build construction options
Self build architect and design considerations (2023)
Self build planning permission and legal consents
© 2023 lets do diy ltd | ebuild
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact us

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT