The short answer
Block paving in the UK typically costs around £80–£140 per square metre installed, depending on the block and the ground works. By driveway size that usually works out at roughly £2,400 for a small single driveway of about 20m² and around £5,500 for a double driveway of about 50m². The block itself is a big driver: concrete blocks sit at the lower end, while clay pavers cost more because the colour is fired in and does not fade. On top of the surface you pay for excavation, a compacted sub-base, edging and drainage — and if an old driveway has to come up first, or a soakaway is needed for a permeable finish, that adds to the figure. The main drivers are the area in square metres, the block you choose, and how much ground preparation the site needs.
Price depends mainly on how many square metres you are paving, the type of block, and how much excavation and drainage the site needs. The figures below are typical installed prices for guidance, not quotations.
Typical UK costs
- Block paving installed£80–£140 / m²
- Single driveway (~20m²)~£2,400
- Double driveway (~50m²)~£5,500
- Concrete blockslower end of the range
- Clay pavershigher end (colour fired in)
What drives the price
- Area in square metres: you pay largely per m², so a double driveway costs far more than a single one.
- Block type: concrete blocks are the budget choice; clay pavers cost more but hold their colour (see the blocks-versus-concrete page).
- Ground works: excavation, removing an old surface, a compacted sub-base and edging restraints are a large part of any honest quote.
- Drainage: a permeable build, a soakaway or linear drains add cost but may be needed to stay within the planning rules.
| Item | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Block paving installed | £80–£140 / m² | varies by block & ground works |
| Single driveway (~20m²) | ~£2,400 | small, one-car |
| Double driveway (~50m²) | ~£5,500 | two-car, more excavation |
| Clay pavers vs concrete | higher / lower end | clay holds colour, costs more |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: Checkatrade and MyJobQuote block paving cost guides.
Why the groundwork matters as much as the blocks
It is tempting to compare quotes on the block price alone, but most of the cost and most of the longevity is in what goes underneath. A block driveway is only as good as its excavation depth, compacted sub-base, edge restraints and drainage. A quote that looks low may be skimping on the dig or the sub-base, which is exactly where a driveway fails — sinking, rutting or weeds within a few years. When you compare quotes, ask what depth is being excavated, what sub-base is being laid, and how drainage is handled.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a block paving driveway cost in the UK?
Typically around £80–£140 per square metre installed, which works out at roughly £2,400 for a small single driveway of about 20m² and around £5,500 for a double driveway of about 50m². The figure depends on the block type and how much ground preparation the site needs.
Are clay or concrete blocks cheaper?
Concrete blocks sit at the lower end of the range and are the most common budget choice. Clay pavers cost more, but the colour is fired in so it does not fade over time.
Why is the price range so wide?
Because sites differ. The area in square metres, the block you choose, and how much excavation, sub-base and drainage the ground needs all move the figure. A measured quote gives the accurate number for your driveway.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific site. They are guidance, not a quotation.